In September 2020, the Fecane Child Foundation reached a major milestone in its journey to transform the lives of vulnerable children—hosting its first-ever football training camp.
With over 80 children and youths from Kawala, Bwaise, and nearby areas attending, this event was more than just about playing football. It was an opportunity to:
✅ Teach discipline and teamwork
✅ Promote physical and mental well-being
✅ Offer mentorship and guidance
✅ Give vulnerable kids a sense of belonging and hope
This blog highlights the impact of this first training camp, the turnout and structure, key lessons learned, and success stories from young participants whose lives were changed forever.
Why Football? The Power of Sports in Transforming Lives
Football is more than just a game—it is a powerful tool for social change.
Many of the children who joined the training camp came from challenging backgrounds, including:
🏠 Extreme poverty – Struggling families with little access to education and basic needs.
❌ Street life – Kids who had been homeless and relied on odd jobs or begging to survive.
💔 Broken families – Youths growing up in single-parent households or orphaned.
😞 At-risk behavior – Some had been exposed to crime, drugs, or violence at an early age.
Through structured football training, these children had the chance to channel their energy into something positive, build confidence, and dream beyond their current struggles.
The First Football Training Camp: How It Was Organized
📍 Location:
The camp was held at an open community field in Bwaise, where most children could easily walk or cycle to attend.
👥 Turnout:
- Total Participants: 83 kids and youths
- Age Groups: 6–10 years (20 kids), 11–15 years (40 kids), 16–20 years (23 youths)
- Girls in Attendance: 14 (Despite football being male-dominated in the area, more girls showed interest!)
- Coaches & Mentors: 4 experienced volunteer coaches
🏆 Training Structure:
Each day included:
⏳ Warm-ups & fitness drills – Jogging, stretching, and basic strength exercises.
⚽ Ball control skills – Dribbling, passing, shooting, and goalkeeping.
🧠 Tactical sessions – Team formations, defensive strategies, and attacking plays.
🤝 Life skills workshops – Discussions on teamwork, leadership, discipline, and setting goals.
💡 Key Highlights from the First Week:
🔹 The energy and enthusiasm of the kids were inspiring. Many had never had structured football training before!
🔹 Local community members gathered to watch, creating excitement and unity.
🔹 Despite limited resources (only 10 footballs and 20 pairs of cleats for 83 participants), the children shared and played with passion.
🔹 Some players showed natural talent, impressing the coaches.
🏅 Success Stories: Young Lives Transformed
1️⃣ Meet Emmanuel (Age 14) – From Street Life to Team Captain
Before joining the training camp, Emmanuel had been living on the streets for two years, surviving by collecting scrap metal for money. He was malnourished and had lost hope in life.
🔹 What Changed?
- After just a few weeks of training, Emmanuel gained confidence and discovered his love for football.
- His discipline and leadership skills stood out, and the coaches made him a team captain for the under-15 group.
- With support from Fecane Child Foundation, Emmanuel was reunited with his grandmother, and he returned to school in early 2021.
2️⃣ Meet James (Age 18) – A Second Chance at Life
James had dropped out of school due to financial struggles and had been involved in petty crimes. Football became his turning point.
🔹 What Changed?
- Through mentorship, James developed discipline and a sense of responsibility.
- He now mentors younger kids and assists in coaching new players.
- In 2022, he secured a sports scholarship for vocational training in mechanics!
Lessons Learned from the First Training Camp
1. The Need for More Resources
✅ The passion and interest among kids were high, but the foundation lacked adequate footballs, jerseys, and cleats.
✅ Moving forward, Fecane Child Foundation sought sponsorships and donations to provide better equipment.
2. Football is More Than a Game – It’s a Lifeline
✅ The camp proved that sports can change lives by keeping youth away from negative influences.
✅ Many children saw football as a gateway to education, discipline, and a brighter future.
3. Inclusivity is Key – More Girls Need to Join
✅ Although 14 girls participated, the goal was to increase female involvement in future camps.
✅ The foundation started targeting more girls and encouraging parents to allow their daughters to play football.
Expanding the Football Program for Greater Impact
After the success of the first training camp, Fecane Child Foundation made long-term plans to grow the initiative:
🚀 2021 Goals:
✔ Regular training sessions (monthly instead of one-time camps).
✔ Forming official age-category teams to compete in local tournaments.
✔ Partnering with schools to integrate sports into education.
✔ Securing sponsorships to provide more equipment and football kits.
🌍 Long-Term Vision:
✔ Establishing a permanent training facility for vulnerable kids.
✔ Creating a football academy where young players can develop into professionals.
✔ Using football to provide scholarships and career opportunities for talented youth.
Final Thoughts: Football as a Path to a Brighter Future
The September 2020 training camp was a defining moment for Fecane Child Foundation. It proved that with the right guidance, even the most vulnerable children can dream big and achieve greatness.
🚀 Football gave these kids:
✅ Discipline – Learning teamwork, responsibility, and perseverance.
✅ A Sense of Belonging – Becoming part of a community that believes in them.
✅ Hope for the Future – Setting goals beyond poverty and hardship.
This is just the beginning. With more support, donations, and partnerships, we can empower more young lives through sports.
💡 Want to Help? You can:
🤝 Sponsor a child’s football training
⚽ Donate sports equipment
📢 Spread the word about our work
Together, we can change lives—one goal at a time.
