Background

In 2016 Lothian grassroots club Tranent Colts FC made an initial trip to Rwanda, alongside Mark Fleming (SFA Chaplain) who had already visited the country several times and had established some key contacts, and several SFA coaches including Alan “Chalky” White

In January 2020, Hearts FC, Tranent and coaches from five additional community–focused “SFA Legacy” grassroots clubs returned to Rwanda.

The intensive 10-day trip consisted of twice-daily coaching sessions for kids of all ages and abilities across the beautiful East African nation, as well as daily visits to outreach centres and schools. The group also made several visits to genocide memorial centres, to learn of the horrors that the Rwandan people faced in 1994, and get a better understanding of the challenges facing them in 2020

SFA coaches Chalky and Jack Beesley ran an official SFA coaching course for coaches from Rwanda and other East African countries

As well as coaching, the group also donated a large amount of used football kit, boots and other equipment, and a donation of £1,000

The group returned to Scotland determined to support Rwanda again, in the form of a registered charity, to make an even more significant impact

As a registered charity

Since 2021 we have gradually developed our model, learning more about the real needs of our friends in Rwanda with each trip we make

3 additional Coaches trips in 2022 and 2024 x2, enabled us to fund the development of a new pitch at Bisesero

From 2025 our trips will mainly be with groups of 16 Scottish Youth footballers as volunteers, supported by 6 experienced youth coaches

At the same time, we will begin to focus our efforts more on the Western District of Karongi