Play It Forward Partnership

We are delighted to have been working with Far & Wild as our charity partner over the last year, a partnership that will greatly impact the lives of thousands of children in Zambia.

Play it Forward, a community organisation based in Zambia, was developed from the vision that people’s love for football can be used to build opportunities and to take control of their own lives. Through the power of play, we are inspiring and empowering a new generation of young people in Zambia and sparking enduring transformations in their lives.

The multi-year partnership brings together sustainable travel and high impact community programmes that benefit children from disadvantaged areas in Zambia. We work with local schools and football clubs to run education and health projects. Our holistic support, both on and off the pitch, ensures that young people in Zambia gain skills for success in school, the workforce, and life.

Zambia is a place with so much to offer, full of adventure, breath-taking views and thrilling wildlife. Our office is located in Livingstone, the tourist capital, and is home to the mighty ‘Mosi-oa-Tunya’, more commonly known as the ‘Victoria Falls’. Elephants can often be spotted roaming through town in search of those prized fermented, juicy mangoes.

But the reality for many in Zambia isn’t so fruitful. The Southern Province of Zambia still has an average HIV prevalence of around 13%. Stark economic disparities remain, with 58% of the population living on less than $2.15 a day. And for girls growing up in Zambia, prospects are even bleaker with almost a third married before their 18th birthday.

Despite this, there is hope. Play it Forward works with the community to change this picture. Since 2017, we have provided over 2,600 children with the skills and support they need to overcome the impact of poverty, disadvantage and disease, and become empowered to learn, lead, and succeed.

Play it Forward and Far & Wild’s joint programme ensures that girls are provided with at least one nutritious meal a day, literacy & ICT skills sessions and regular football training. Improving life-skills and educational outcomes for vulnerable girls supports them to stay in school and live safe, healthy and fulfilling lives.

“It’s so inspiring to see the impact of the programme on the girls academic performance - last year in one of our partner schools, only 2 girls passed their grade 7 exams. This year, a total of 18 girls passed. By completing their exams and enrolling in secondary school, those girls now have a hope of obtaining a good education. Girls that stay in school are less likely to be married before the age of 18 and have children in their teenage years.”

If you are planning a trip to the country and want to see the “real Zambia”, consider visiting our project in Livingstone where we can guarantee you will have a culturally rich, fulfilling and memorable experience. Whether you want to visit a rural school built in partnership with a community, or get stuck in and play a game of football with the kids, Zambia has it all.

Feel to reach out and contact me for more information:

[email protected]