Education & Sports joy in Kenyan Schools and communities
Little Sports Organisation Kenya (LSO) uses school sports to connect with children trapped in extreme poverty & give them access to education and bigger horizons in Life. Talented & hard-working kids are lifted into their Pathways Development Programme. They receive elite coaching, healthy meals, clean water, school support & a chance to earn scholarships to schools their parents cannot afford. LSO empowers communities by providing youth coaching, weekend meals, and jobs for local mums as helpers and cooks. They also offer interest-free loans to help mums launch businesses – building a sustainable future from the ground up.
Development Goals
Education
Employability
Equality
Situation
Kenya is one of the fastest-growing economies in Sub-Saharan Africa, attracting many people to urban areas in search of better opportunities. This migration has led to a steady rise in population density and an increasing number of people living in slums, where more than half of the urban population now resides. Slum dwellers face significantly worse living conditions than those in other urban areas, with limited access to clean water, sanitation, and electricity. They are also less likely to receive a quality education, face higher risks of communicable diseases, and live in environments plagued by poverty and crime (World Bank, 2017). As urbanisation accelerates, more people are being pushed below the national poverty line. Currently, 56% of the urban population lives in slums, and within that group, 38.6% survive on less than £1.50 per day.
Solution
Since 2008, LSO has tackled poverty by combining sport, education, and sustainable livelihoods to create lasting change in underserved communities. Over 274,000 children have participated in their weekly school sports and life skills programmes, providing them with a safe environment to develop resilience, teamwork, and essential life skills. Their Pathways Coach Development Programme trains and empowers local coaches by pairing them with international mentors, raising the standard of coaching from grassroots to elite levels. To date, they have trained and employed over 1,000 coaches, providing them with stable incomes that allow them to support their families, pay school fees, and uplift their communities. Through this model, they not only equip young people with the tools to succeed but also create sustainable pathways out of poverty by generating dignified employment and building long-term community growth.
Testimonials
While I’ve been at school, Little Sports Organisation came to the school and started doing sports. I was happy to join and play rugby, and I have visited many places to play rugby with LSO. The club has helped me with a lot of things like food, clothes, and books.
“It isn’t fair. It’s an inter-generational cycle – its ugly – and the children have no-way out unless we make stand & intervene. I do this because we must, it’s a kind of anger that drives me. The Fact is we CAN change the trajectory of these children’s lives. With the love and caring of people allover the world who donate and make a difference.”
- To develop children through Sports and Life-Skill sessions.
- To shape the next generation of Kenyan citizens to be more alert, expressive and exposed to safe learning environments.
- To create accountable sports business management structures & create jobs.
More than 274,000 children have attended Little Sports’ weekly School Sports and Life Skills sessions.There are currently child attendances of 12,000 children per week from 25 primary schools to the LSO ‘Sports & Life-Skill’ program. It also has 50 Kenyans on its payroll.
- Just £7 to provide clean drinking water for the girls at training this month
- £4.50 to feed one child at training a week with a hot, nutritious meal, often the only hot meal the girls will have all week.
- £9.50 to provide school supplies for 10 children for 3 months – families simply can not afford these supplies that are needed for children to have a full education.
- £20 to buy a pair of shoes for a girl at Little Sports, allowing them to join in the rugby sessions that boost their confidence
Impact
Education
Education Access: LSO Uses school sports to engage children in extreme poverty, providing pathways to education and brighter futures.
-
Increased Attendance: 79% of schools report improved child attendance since LSO’s involvement.
-
Improved Academic Performance: Positive impact on grades through regular participation.
-
Buddies Not Bullies: A programme tackling bullying and fostering a safer school environment.
-
Widespread Reach: Over 274,000 children have attended weekly school sports and life skills sessions.
- A chance to earn scholarships to schools their parents cannot afford.
Employability
LSO equips children with essential life skills that extend beyond the playing field, enhancing their employability in the future. Through sports, children develop qualities such as discipline, teamwork, leadership, and resilience—all highly valued by employers. For older participants, LSO provides pathways to work by offering coaching roles, mentorship opportunities, and training in community leadership. By nurturing these skills and creating tangible employment prospects, LSO empowers young people to break the cycle of poverty and build sustainable futures.
Equality
LSO goes beyond sports by addressing key barriers to education, including gender inequality and poverty, ensuring that all children—regardless of background—have access to learning and growth. Through community engagement, LSO creates pathways to employment by training local youth as coaches and empowering mothers with business opportunities. This holistic approach blends sports with mentorship and life skills, developing confidence, discipline, and teamwork. By involving the community in these efforts, LSO builds a supportive environment where children thrive, families gain stability, and communities flourish.
Donate today to help kenyan children escape extreme poverty
Volunteer with Little Sports
Stories from Little Sports
Agnes’ Story
Two years ago, Agnes joined LSO with a dream. Today, she stands as a shining example of how hope and opportunity can transform lives. Agnes comes...