Kits for Africa
In June this year Rayleigh Boys Youth FC (RBYFC) began a campaign to collect football boots and football kit for both the Kromdraai and Blackhill-Schoongezicht schools in the Witbank area of South Africa.
This campaign began when a member of the RBYFC committee advised that the company he works for has built two schools in South Africa and handed them over to the South African Education Department. The clubs committee were advised that many of the children that attend these schools are from an underprivileged background, so much so that for many of the children attending the school it is also a way to getting a hot meal each day. The good infrastructure and facilities at the schools results in class sizes of up to 80, in classrooms typically designed for 35-40 children. The schools do their utmost to cope, assisted by from time to time by charitable donations. It was brought to the attention of the RBYFC committee that the two schools have a high number of young footballers passionate about the game, but their progress is being hindered by a severe lack of football kit, so much so, many of the players having to play in school uniform, school shoes, socks and bare feet.
RBYFC is a chartered standard, voluntary and community run club with over 30 football teams, many in the same age group as the South African school children above, and was touched by the hardship faced by these young footballers and although the club had very limited options in being able to help, the committee felt this was an opportunity for the club to collectively respond to a worthy cause no matter how small the contribution.
The club quickly decided that a substantial donation of RBYFC football jerseys for both mini soccer and eleven aside age groups was to be the first step, and at the same time appealed to the local parents to donate football boots and personal football kits in support of the campaign. The subsequent response has been very positive and a photo of the kit donated and delivered so far can be viewed on the RBYFC website. Since the initial donation back in August, we are pleased to advise that there has been no let up in the momentum behind our campaign. This has resulted in another sizeable batch of football boots, trainers, kits, cones and footballs currently being despatched to South Africa.
Given the campaigns success to date, RBYFC consulted further with the Kromdraai School to identify other opportunities to improve the school children’s development. We were advised that the schools are in real need of essential items such as reading books, writing books, pens and pencils. With this in mind, RBYFC have written to the local Primary Schools requesting their support by way of donating reading books and basic stationery. So far, both Rayleigh Primary School and Our Lady of Ransom Primary School have confirmed a collection is underway. To acknowledge the efforts of our local schools, we are hoping to provide photos of the donated items in use, and thank you letters from the children in South Africa.
Another key issue was also brought to the attention of RBYFC; the RSA schools have no I.T. equipment and therefore no access to the internet, something which is so prevalent in the lives of local Essex children. Plans are now afoot to both review the feasibility of equipping a school with internet access, and using professional contacts to finance the purchase and installation of the necessary equipment. In keeping with the efforts made by hundreds of volunteers throughout our Essex football leagues, this is an exciting opportunity to make a real difference to the lives of many children.
