“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” – Helen Keller’s words came alive on 16th -17th April in Blantyre, where MATCH Foundation transformed Zingwangwa Youth Centre (ZYC) through collaborative action. Over two dynamic days, with the first day dedicated to meeting potential program beneficiaries, site seeing and building rapport with the Zingwangwa youth network and the last day dedicated to a sport for development activity. Our team is eager to shape youth opportunities through sport, education, mentorship, and community development in Blantyre.
This expansion comes as a strategic move to implement one of the 2022-2025 strategic objective, which indicates that MATCH Foundation would be able to implement its programs in Blantyre. The foundation plans to begin with the ‘Play and Stay Project,’ which will use existing facilities such as the netball court and the football ground that are already there. This aligns with the Foundation’s commitment to long-term impact and community empowerment.
The meeting’s significance brought enthusiasm of the potential users of the center to create safe, empowering spaces for youth growth. ‘Play and Stay’ resonated deeply because it addresses fundamental community needs: structured environments where young people develop athletic abilities alongside essential life competencies as well as life-changing opportunities.
Momentum built during the “Sport for Mental Health” demonstration session under the Achinyamata Ojaka Mental Health Project, engaging 42 youth and 3 coaches in basketball, Football, and Netball activities. These sessions fostered important conversations about challenging gender expectations and promoting mental wellness—crucial topics affecting youth development.
MATCH Foundation enters this new chapter powered by trusted donor support, community support, youth-centered programming, and a clear vision that shows how thoughtfully structured sports programming creates social change with impacts extending beyond the playing field. As we continue engaging various stakeholders for this new chapter, the community can anticipate meaningful growth opportunities for its young people—the best is yet to come.
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