Tag: Malawi Rugby Union

My Ball Project – Bola Yane – rugby coaching in schools

This is part two of My Ball Project – Bola Yane. My previous post was about teachers from 13 schools having two days training at Bright Futures Campus. This blog is about Bola Yane Project going to schools.

Sarah’s blog 25/10/26

This is part two of My Ball Project – Bola Yane. My previous post was about teachers from 13 schools having two days training at Bright Futures Campus. This blog is about Bola Yane Project going to schools.

I’m writing this blog listening to the wind and rain as we (in Scotland) are in the middle of a storm. I am extremely grateful that I am wrapped up warm and that one of my dogs is curled up next to me keeping my feet warm. In Malawi, as they await their rainy season, they are experiencing a heatwave.

Jack Mphande, Senior Rugby Development Officer for Malawi Rugby Union, has had an extremely busy week. He has been teaching touch rugby in the thirteen schools in the Chisenga Zone in Chitipa District. He’s been mindful of the temperatures & ensured students weren’t out in the high temperatures for too long.

This week’s coaching followed up from the work Jack did with teachers from these schools for two days the previous week. The teachers were able to put into action the training they had received with Jack’s support and it looks like everyone did a great job and Jack had passed his enthusiasm to everyone else.

Jack wanted me to share three thoughts with you:

  • Rugby has taken me to places where I have discovered meanings of life.
  • What we take for granted is someone else’s prayer point.
  • I enjoy when I put a smile on someone’s face because of Rugby. (Jack Mphande)

He also told me ‘I stressed much to the students on Values of Rugby – which is Respect, Discipline, Honesty, Teamwork, as some of the values which make a good person in the community.’ Jack Mphande

The thirteen schools in the Chisenga Cluster are :Chirambo, Kakasu, Kabanje, Nsato, Mulembe, Malawa, Chisenga, Kayilizi, Madunda, Kavomolo, Mbalizi, Chambo and Kalanga. I have enlarged the relevant area on the map and hopefully you will be able to pick out where some of the schools are. Bright Futures Campus (secondary school & nursery) is beside where Chambo Primary is on the map.

Some of the schools are not as remote as where Chambo Primary and Bright Futures Campus are situated as they are in more populated areas. However, there are some schools that are even more remote; Mbalizi Primary School for example. The students were absolutely delighted with Jack’s visit as they aren’t used to seeing many visitors. And the fact that he had come all the way from Lilongwe to spend time with them teaching them how to play a new and exciting sport was something new for these children. They don’t usually have visitors to their schools, especially not one from the capital and in charge of rugby development for the whole of Malawi. Jack’s visit has meant a great deal to teachers and students and we are so pleased that Jack has been part of the Bola Yane project and is committed to touch rugby being played in all schools.

Jack was very grateful that we had paid for a motorbike and driver to take him to all the schools he needed to get to….he certainly wouldn’t have managed without the motorbike or the valuable local knowledge of the area. Reaching the outlying schools is difficult and I certainly hadn’t appreciated just how remote some of these schools are.

‘When they heard that I will come back on the final tournament day, they were very happy. And some of them were inspired by me when I was telling them that sports is my career. I told them they should work hard to do both school and sports, but school first and then sports.’ Jack Mphande, Senior Rugby Development Officer, Malawi Rugby Union.

Jack’s photos show some of the issues students face trying to walk to school and back safely. Also, these streams are at their lowest now, as rains are expected and, during the rainy season will be unsafe and impossible for children to cross to get to school. You will also see from one photo, the puddle the children at one school are drinking from. Lack of sanitation and safe drinking water is another big issue for children living rurally and attending these remote schools.

We are very grateful to Chitipa District Council for supporting My Ball Project – Bola Yane and allowing us to support sports development in rural schools in the Chitipa Zone with The William Stewart Foundation (NGO). Thanks also to Patrick Simwayi, Education and Sports Officer, for making time to attend Jack’s teacher training event at Bright Futures Campus. It was good that he was able to see the programme of what Jack would be sharing with teachers and students at the thirteen schools.

As you can see, some schools have received preloved sports kit already. Those that haven’t yet, will be receiving sports kit that has been donated to us and we have boxed up and sent via The Bananabox Trust Container. Two schools so far have also benefitted from receiving boxes of books as part of our School Literacy Project. These are Chambo Primary and Kalanga Primary. Primary School exam leavers pass rates have risen by 19% in these two schools. We will be sharing boxes of books with these other schools as we have more preloved books donated to us.

These are the children that are benefiting from the help of our supporters. Having matching sports kit makes a difference to self-esteem and confidence. Playing team sports helps develop skills and children can forget about their problems and the extreme poverty in which they live whilst they are concentrating on the game with their friends. Children can have dreams whilst wearing a sports kit. A student said to Jack ‘In my life I didn’t ever dream that I will find a sport which I can play but I think this one I can play’. (rugby) Quotes like this are powerful.

‘I was enjoying coaching them because they were all paying much attention and open to learn the sport. And hearing that I am Senior Rugby Development Officer for the whole country, that also meant something to them.’ Jack Mphande

One of the teachers told Jack, ‘We are very happy that we have added another type of sport. Everyone just knows football and netball so the coming of rugby will help our students to have more varieties of sports to choose. But I think rugby is easy and full of fun and many will go for it.’

I hope you will agree that Jack has done an amazing job with delivering touch rugby training to teachers and students at 13 rural schools over the past week and a half. Obviously there are costs involved in providing quality sport in schools like this as part of the Bola Yana project. We intend to have a school league and also a tournament in May or June next year. If you would like to help us with the financial costs of this project you can either email contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com for bank details or give to our fundraiser on our new fundraising page https://localgiving.org/fundraising/changinglivesmalawisportstournaments

So now that you’ve got to the end of my blog, please enjoy the photos and videos! If you like our projects then please do sign up to receive the blogs, follow us on social media and share with your friends. Thanks everyone, Sarah x

Children are walking barefoot along these rocky tracks to get to school
A very skilful driver with a great deal of faith!
No choice but to get wet feet!
It takes a great deal of skill to get a motorbike across the river safely. You can see from the ‘muddy’ area how big the river will get during the rains making it impossible and dangerous for children to try to cross to get to school.
The puddle at one school where the children drink from
My Ball Project – Bola Yane – Rugby

Maggie’s visit to Lilongwe

Sarah’s blog 4/4/25

Last month, there was a conference in Lilongwe organised by Malawi Rugby Union and Child Fund Rugby called ‘Grassroots to Global’. It was for girls and women to try to increase the numbers of girls and women taking part in rugby and coaching rugby.

Jack Mphande is the senior rugby development officer who has introduced rugby to the far north of Malawi. We have helped facilitate his visits several times and now have a great relationship with Jack. Hundreds of young people in the far north of Malawi are now playing rugby thanks to him.

Jack got in touch to say that there was funding for one girl from each district in Malawi to go to Lilongwe for that meeting. Maggie Kabaghe, a 16 year old student in S2 at Bright Futures Secondary School was chosen because of her skill and enjoyment of playing rugby and because of her positive attitude.

However, we knew that it wouldn’t be the right thing to do to expect Maggie, who has never had the opportunity to go anywhere, to travel on her own to the capital city, Lilongwe, all by herself and on more than one bus.

One of her teachers, Rose Thawi, agreed to accompany Maggie. It cost quite a lot of money to cover the costs for Rose for the weekend with travel, food and accommodation. We were so glad that Rose was happy to go with Maggie as what a wonderful opportunity for an orphan, living in extreme poverty in rural northern Malawi. Maggie was given a bag, trainers and new clothes, soap and a towel etc for her trip.

There was space for Rose to join the conference too and they both enjoyed their weekend a great deal. There were lots of discussions about barriers to sport for girls and women and they learned a great deal and enjoyed meeting new people.

They left early on Friday morning and didn’t get back until late on Monday evening. They were very tired but happy. Maggie was treated like a celebrity by her classmates on her return.

Once Maggie’s exams are over, she and her teacher, Rose, will put together some ideas on how they can get more girls involved in rugby in their local area.

Thank you so much to Jack Mphande for his hard work and support and for giving Maggie this wonderful opportunity. Thank you to the other organisers in Malawi Rugby Union and for Child Fund Rugby for the funding.

I hope you enjoy the photos from Maggie and Rose’s weekend. Thank you to everyone who sponsors the young people we help to support. With your help they have a brighter future with opportunities, choices and chances that they wouldn’t otherwise have had. Please do email me if you would like to support a young person it only costs £25 p/m. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com Thanks, Sarah x

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/15ukEQGh6Y

Rugby Day 3 – The Tournament

An amazing third day of rugby! Tournaments all day. Lots and lots of happy children!

Sarah’s blog 15/10/24

What an amazing day! It was a school holiday today in Malawi for Mothers’ Day. Many of these children are orphans living with extended family so have mother figures looking after them. All have all come together for a great day of rugby, fun and friendship. As many of these children are malnourished, certainly all are hungry, and no big charities are feeding children in primary schools that far north, we always ensure that children have a nutritious meal when they come together for a day of sport.

Today’s post is going to show photos of the teams that took part and, in a separate post, I will be able to show action photos and videos…there are just too many to share all at once and it has been a very long day for Jack and Levison who were organising the event.

Jack Mphande is the Malawi Rugby Development Officer whose enthusiasm shines through. Thank you Jack for sharing your time and talents with the orphans and other vulnerable children. You have shared your passion for the game with them and, once again, given them such a positive experience. Until recently, these children never had anyone come to spend time with them. You have given them confidence, skills, friendship and raised their self-esteem. These are priceless and they will remember days like today for the rest of their lives.

Jack writes on the Malawi Rugby Union Facebook page (MARU) “Rugby is in safe hands here in Chisenga, Chitipa. I have witnessed raw talent of rugby which, if nurtured well, Malawi Rugby will never be the same.” Jack always writes at the end of his posts “Rugby Rise Malawi”. Rugby is indeed on the rise in Malawi and we are grateful for his visit.

We are also grateful to Arnold Clark cars for their financial donation towards this event and Jack’s travel expenses. Arnold Clark is a new Scotland Rugby Team sponsor.

We have two tickets for the Scotland v Fiji game on 2nd November courtesy of Arnold Clark. For a donation of £5 you could be in with a chance of being at this game! details are in the attached post from day 1 of the rugby.

We are trying to raise funds to have a similar football tournament. Here is the link to donate https://donorsee.com/project/24384?share=1

Thank you so much to everyone who has donated sports kit that we have been able to gift to each school that has taken part. They have matching sports kit that they are proud of and can dream big about being stars of the future, like children everywhere do. Thanks, Sarah x

Rugby Day 1 – theory & practical for teachers
Rugby – Day 2 – primary school visits

Facebook live link today; https://fb.watch/vepj9DV-nA

Everyone who took part in today’s tournament
Bright Futures Secondary School – girls (wearing Merchiston Castle School & Bromley & Beckenham Hockey)
Bright Futures Secondary School – boys (wearing Seafar fc, Cumbernauld & Poole FC)
Kalanga Primary School – boys
Kalanga Primary School – girls
Chisenga Primary School – boys (wearing Chelsa fc)
Chisenga Primary School – girls (wearing Liverpool fc)
Chambo Primary School – boys (wearing Hardinxveld, Holland)
Chambo Primary Schools – girls (wearing Seafar Villa, Cumbernauld)
Kayilizi Primary School – boys (wearing South Africa)
Kayalizi Primary School – girls (wearing Seafar Villa, Cumbernauld)

Rugby Day 1 – theory & practical for teachers

Children living in extreme poverty are learning to play rugby and can forget about their hardships whilst they learn new skills and grow in confidence and have fun with their friends.

Sarah’s blog 13/10/24

Firstly, I would like to thank Malawi Rugby Development Officer, Jack Mphande, for once again making time to travel the long distance north to spend time with teachers and students. This is the Chisenga Zone Schools Rugby Initiative.

Secondly, I’d like to thank Arnold Clark car dealership for providing the money for this rugby initiative. The money Arnold Clark have given us has paid for Jack’s travel costs and his expenses as well as providing food for all teachers and students who will be taking part in training and the tournament on Tuesday. We are so grateful for this money as without it we would have had to raise funds and this Rugby Initiative probably wouldn’t have happened until next year. Thank you Arnold Clark who are new sponsors of Scottish Rugby.

Also, a big thank you to Levison Mlambya, Director of Bright Futures Secondary School who works tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure everything happens. Levison isn’t often found in front of the camera so doesn’t get as much credit as he should for the huge amount of work he puts in coordinating and facilitating people and activities.

Until Jack Mphande’s first visit, rugby had never been played in the far north of Malawi. Now it is being played at school, along with football and netball. Jack’s visits are really welcomed and there is great excitement amongst the students. When he first visited, the young people we help to support were surprised that he wanted to spend time with them. They were used to being ignored and not thought to be important. Their self-esteem and confidence has grown so much since that first visit. Girls and boys have learned new skills and love playing team sports with their friends. They can forget about their problems for a while.

Today, teachers from local schools in the Chisenga Zone, including teachers from Bright Futures Secondary School, attended a theory class at Bright Futures Campus and then tested their new coaching skills on some of the students from Bright Futures Secondary School. You can see from the photos and videos that Levison has just sent how enthusiastic and engaged everyone is.

Competition Time. We also want to thank Arnold Clark for providing two tickets for the Scotland v Fiji match at Murrayfield on 2nd November. As well as being able to win two tickets, there are other perks like entry to the Legends Lounge. For a £5 donation, you can choose a number. contact_us@changinglivesmalawi.com . The draw will take place on Friday evening, 18th Oct…so email or contact me via social media for your chance to be at the game! https://changinglivesmalawi.com/2024/10/02/win-scotland-v-fiji-rugby-tickets/

We are also trying to raise funds to have a football training & tournament initiative and with your help we can make this happen https://donorsee.com/project/24384?share=1

https://videopress.com/v/mipp9ytg?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true
Jack Mphande, Malawi Rugby Development Officer (white shirt) training teachers
Teachers from Chisenga Zone learning theory and practical skills at Bright Futures Secondary School.
Thank you to Arnold Clark Cars for the money they donated to pay for this rugby event
Teachers putting what they’ve just learned into practice
https://videopress.com/v/Uvn8niPa?resizeToParent=true&cover=true&preloadContent=metadata&useAverageColor=true
Thank you Arnold Clark cars
Teachers practicing the skills they learned earlier

Scotland Rugby Kit

Sarah’s blog 05/02/24

Good morning! A timely post during the Six Nations Rugby Tournament. Did everyone enjoy the first weekend of games?

There were some willing young people, happy to model these new kits….. a very generous donation from Scottish Rugby Union. Thank you so much for this fantastic opportunity for the children and young people we help to support to have new, matching, colourful kit from the SRU.

As you may remember, we facilitated a two week Rugby Festival in October. Touch rugby has only recently been introduced in the north of Malawi and this is the second time that Jack Mphande, MRU Development Officer, has travelled north to spend time with young people and their teachers/coaches to introduce rugby within schools as a new sport.

Thanks to our supporters, we were able to pay for Jack’s travel, accommodation, expenses as well as food & drink for all the participants in the training sessions and tournaments. Sports kit & rugby balls that had been donated to us were gifted to each of the teams involved in the Rugby Festival.

Grassroots rugby is well and truly established now, thanks to Jack Mphande’s time, skills and dedication. Thanks also goes to all the people who donated to help make that experience happen for the hundreds of vulnerable children who took part. https://gofund.me/22e38b07

We would like to be able to host another Rugby Festival this year. We have two signed Scotland Rugby Shirts which SRU kindly donated. The link is here to donate…it’s £5 per turn. https://gofund.me/22e38b07 All money we receive will go towards next year’s Rugby Festival. For children who are living in extreme poverty, this will be something to really look forward to again. They aren’t used to people coming to spend time with them.

Once the weather improves (it’s the rainy season) I am sure there will be lots of action shots of the young people enjoying playing rugby. Thank you again, Sarah x (I’ve attached two of my blogs from the rugby festival…there are lots of photos in each. But there are more blogs from Jack’s visits on my blog page on our website).

https://changinglivesmalawi.com/2023/10/02/rugby-coaching-2023/

https://changinglivesmalawi.com/2023/10/07/rugby-tourament/