On 27 November 2011, five youth workers and sports instructors from Wales travelled to East Africa to launch a Football for All Project to help grow grassroots leaders and build communities throughout Kenya.

Focusing on the British Council priorities in Sub-Saharan Africa, the project addressed inequality, poverty and inter community conflict by sharing international best practice and stimulating local innovation. It provided access to skills and professional development, nurture volunteering and grew a new generation of community leaders in Kenya.

Before the activity, Efa Gruffudd Jones, Chief Executive, Urdd Gobaith Cymru said:
“We are excited to be part of this project and we hope to discuss some of what we have learned through working in Wales with young people in Kenya.  We will also look forward to seeing what we can learn from their enthusiasm for sport and their desire to build their communities”

Central to the success of the project was the training of young Kenyans on how to communicate within their own communities and how to influence local and national authorities to ensure sustainable, positive change.

Salim Juma Kisasi is a teacher and voluntary football coach for the community and said:
“I would like to take this opportunity thanking you for the course and training you had given me that I admit to have learnt new helpful skills for my boys, the entire Wayzata Boys Football Club, and myself. By the way, am too happy for the performance some of my boys scored for their primary national examination which shall help them join high and might be one to reduce poverty in my village”.

The project team visited Nairobi, Kenya from 27 November – 2 December 2011.

Football For All, has been developed by the British Council in partnership with the Cardiff City Supporters Trust and is supported by the Welsh Football Trust, Urdd Gobaith Cymru (Wales’ largest youth organisation), the Sport Wales and Cardiff City Football in the Community.

View images of the activity

Read article by Tim Hartley

Read Aled Lewis' diary