Ndizotheka! Make it happen!
Development Goals
Education
Health & Wellbeing
Inclusion
Situation
Bhubesi Pride Foundation (BPF) works in rural Lilongwe, Malawi to help children fulfil their potential and uplift themselves and their communities. Malawi suffers from extreme poverty, with 40% of the population (19.65 million) living on less than 1 dollar a day, and 80% of the population struggling with severe food insecurity, exacerbated by the extremely high inflation rates in Malawi. This puts immense pressure on families and communities and has detrimental consequences for children, particularly for girls. Most girls don’t have the chance to finish high school, and almost 50% are married before the age of 18, meaning the possibilities for them to learn and achieve their potential are extremely limited. Girls face severe gender inequality and violence on a daily basis, with 34% of women reposting cases of physical violence, and 14% reporting sexual violence. The tough conditions faced in most communities means there is little access to healthcare services, and this causes Malawi to suffer with some of the highest rates of HIV in the world. This problem worsened significantly following the pandemic, as Covid caused a 35% reduction in HIV testing, leading to 21,000 new infections in 2020 alone.
Solution
BPF runs three programs at their sports and community centre in Lilongwe to give children ways to overcome these immense challenges. Their Sport For Development program (S4D) uses rugby and netball to create positive shifts in the behaviour of children, empowering them to work hard to uplift their community. Players have an opportunity to have a bright future through the Clubs for Development & Personal Growth programme, which helps players develop social and emotional core competencies while progressing their sports skills. BPF tackles the high rates of HIV/AIDS through their Supplementary Education programme, which teaches children about HIV/AIDS & SRHR, helping young people understand these issues, improving the situation in the local community.
Testimonials
“I have been able to make new friends and I was one of the best players at the end of season competition! … I am so happy to be part of the program; I feel welcomed, and I believe one day I can be a great rugby player.”
“Carrying the weight of my father’s passing in 2014, I found comfort and guidance through rugby and with BPF – I was able to manage my emotions and find hope.”
“Through stipends from BPF and other NGOs, I’ve purchased land, built a house, and I run a small business selling tomatoes and vegetables. I’m also now a certified Child Protection Practitioner with the Ministry of Gender and Community Development.”
- Understanding gender – help young girls and boys understand gender and learn the importance of gender equality.
- Planning for the future – provide young people with access to sessions on essential life skills, which are necessary to allow them to achieve a successful career.
- Being healthy – offer SRHR services and educate young people on critical health issues of HIV/AIDS.
- Feeling safe – create a safe space through the sports and community centre where children can come to learn freely and escape the daily challenges they face.
£10,000 could buy and build new laundry facilities
£7.5k could resurface one of the netball courts, providing a safer, better playing surface
£30k could fit out the upper floor of the clubhouse, helping BPF become a hub for the local community
£4,000 could provide a solar battery to ensure electricity to the community centre
£1,500 could provide a solar geyser to ensure the community centre has hot water
£20,000 could deliver a bus to transport players and coaches to and from the centre
Impact
Education
In 2024:
- 2,500 youth across 8 primary and 9 secondary schools and 3 universities participated in a variety of BPF activities
- 18 teachers were trained as trainers of trainers
- 30 youth received career guidance
- 235 out of school youth participated
Health & Wellbeing
In 2024:
- 4 coaches certified as advanced first aiders
- 2,735 youth received access to education on sexual and reporoductive health rights
- 8 teachers were trained in reproductive health education
- 694 youth were empowered through rugby and netball activities
Inclusion
In 2024:
- 1,641 participants were female
- 1,094 participants were male
- 83 participants had one or more disabilities
Donate today to empower more youth through sport
Stories from Bhubesi Pride
Queen’s Story
Queen’s life has transformed thanks to the program at Bhubesi Pride. Find out how BPF have helped Queen go from being shy and scared for her future, to a confident young women who wants to uplift herself and her community!
Felix’s Story
For Felix, childhood wasn’t always filled with play and friendship. Born with albinism, he faced heartbreaking prejudice—other children refused to play with him, believing harmful misconceptions about his condition.
“In the past I faced discrimination because other kids refused to play with me, they say that I will give them [albinism]” Felix shared. But when his father encouraged him to join Bhubesi Pride Foundation’s rugby programme, everything began to change.
Jean’s Story
Jean lives in rural Lilongwe, where education, health, and food are luxuries that many children sadly don’t have access to. Regrettably, these are not the only difficulties Jean faces, as she is bullied by other kids, causing her to feel isolated and lonely. Atlas and Bhubesi Pride Foundation are helping Jean through the Reconnect program, where children learn key life skills. Jean is now happier and healthier thanks to the program!