Sports Alliance of Malawi, Inc. Motto
Service, Sports, Strength
Project Street Address
Project City
Project Province/State
Project Postal/Zip Code
Project Country
Sport
Soccer
Year the initative began (yyyy)
2006
YouTube Upload
Project URL (include HTTP://)
Which of these barriers is the primary focus of your work?
Few effective tools for personal improvement
Which of the principles is the primary focus of your work?
Use sport to build character
If you believe some other barrier or principle should be included in the mosaic, please describe it and how it would affect the positioning of your initiative in the mosaic:
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Name Your Project
Sports Alliance of Malawi, Inc. Motto: Service, Sports, Strength
Describe Your Idea
What is your signature innovation, your new idea, in one sentence?
Using sport to motivate the youth of Malawi in individual character building, while contributing to national development thru community service.
Describe your innovation. What makes your idea unique and different than others doing work in the field?
Youth are supported in their sporting activities with the requirement that they give back to the community in some service activity.
What are the existing barriers, the biggest problem, your innovation is hoping to address/change?
The choice of the east African nation of Malawi as the focus of this project is not random or accidental. The nation of Malawi is one of the most impoverished and devastated countries of Africa due to the HIV/AIDS crisis, chronic famine due to persistent drought, and economic under-performance. Sports Alliance of Malawi uses passion for soccer, so prevalent among Africa youth, to improve health and engaging youth in constructive activities that would contribute to national development.
Delivery Model: How do you implement your innovation and apply it to the challenge/problem you are addressing?
Donations of used uniforms and various other soccer-related materials have already been received from various donors. Dr. Sam Mchombo, the founder of Sports Alliance of Malawi and a native of Malawi, delivers the donated items on yearly trips to the country. In return for this assistance, the players perform community service and 'pay forward' these contributions. Two teams, SM Galaxy and Chalunda Earthquakes are mentors to other youth groups to facilitate the mission of SAM, Inc.
How do you plan to grow your innovation?
Sports Alliance of Malawi has incorporated as a nonprofit organization in the state of California and recently obtained 501(c)(3) status from the United States government.. Official status as a nonprofit corporation will allow for the organization to continue its solicitation of funds and in-kind donations to further its work in Malawi. The hope is for continued sustainability and capacity building through these efforts.
Provide one sentence describing your impact/intended impact.
Sports Alliance of Malawi, Inc. was formed to promote the health (in mind, body and spirit) of the youth in Malawi through the sport of soccer.
What impact has your innovation had to date/or what is your intended impact? Exactly who are the beneficiaries?
To date, more than 200 youngsters have been served by this project, accounting for nine teams in various cities throughout Malawi. Nine soccer teams have been established in the Central and Southern regions of Malawi. Two primary teams, the Chalunda Earthquakes and the SM Galaxy serve as the mentors for the younger teams in directing their service projects. Funds and equipment have allowed the two primary teams to be involved at a more competitive level involving
travel throughout Malawi. Our website has video documentation of the youth served by this project.
How many people have you served directly?
More than 200 youngsters who participate in organized soccer teams have been served by this project.
How many people have you served indirectly?
In addition to the youth teams that have been supplied with soccer equipment, primarily soccer balls, donations have also been made to orphanages, one prison and the Women's National Soccer Team of Malawi. It is estimated that more than 400 people have been the recipients of contributions from Sports Alliance of Malawi. Not insignificant, is the fact that , many youth in the U.S. who have engaged in fundraising and collecting in-kind donations for the children of Malawi, have also received the benefits of strategies employed in this project to build character and civic mindedness. It can be said that the effort by Sports Alliance of Malawi has had a far-reaching, global effect on the youth of very different countries, but who ultimately share the same goals: the empowerment of their youth to become productive, responsible, and healthy citizens of the world.
Please list any other measures reflective of the impact of your innovation?
Promoting the awareness of HIV/AIDS through the participation in a healthy activity such as soccer is used as a strategy to alleviate and combat the pandemic that is devastating the countries of Africa. The project has received extensive media coverage within Malawi. This has increased awareness and interest among Malawi youth and encouraged a broadening of the program across the country.
What are the main barriers to creating or achieving your impact?
The main barriers would be the distance between the USA and Malawi and the difficulty that comes with getting supplies to Malawi. Soccer gear is limited in Malawi, which necessitates purchasing the gear domestically and shipping it or carrying it to Malawi. In the case that in-kind donations are received, those also must be either shipped or hand carried to the African country, adding additional expenses to the transaction.
This Entry is about (Issues)
How is your initiative financed (or how do you expect your initiative will be financed)?
Sports Alliance of Malawi continuously solicits in-kind donations from soccer organizations in the USA; those most notable and generous in their contributions have been the soccer teams of the University of California, Berkeley; Stanford Univerisity; San Pablo United Youth Soccer; Piedmont Youth Soccer; Berkeley High School and El Cerrito United Youth Soccer. In addition, Sports Alliance of Malawi has secured monetary donations from friends and associates through direct appeals. Sports Alliance of Malawi also accepts donations on its website. Future plans include raising funds through local soccer tournaments and grant applications such as the Disney Minnie Grant.
If known, provide information on your finances and organization.
The board members of Sports Alliance of Malawi work on a completely voluntary basis. Currently, our board is made up of four members. Our group has raised approximately $3,000.00 each year for the last two years. With the formation of the nonprofit corporation and the recent attainment of the (501(c)3) federal tax exemption, we are hoping to increase that amount to $20,000 per year with intensified fundraising strategies.
What is the potential demand for your innovation?
With the scarcity of resources or facilities for sporting activities, a direct consequence of economic hardships, soccer in Africa is, largely, a street game. It is commonplace to find talented young soccer players playing barefoot on dusty make-shift pitches, using tied-up rags or plastic papers for soccer balls and without appropriate gear such as jerseys, cleats or protective shin guards. It is estimated that there are 1,000,000 orphans in Malawi. The potential demand would appear limitles
What are the main barriers to financial sustainability?
The main barrier to financial sustainability would be the fact that it will take continuous effort on the part of the Sports Alliance of Malawi board members to secure funding on a completely voluntary basis. All board members have fulltime jobs outside their work on behalf of Sports Alliance of Malawi. Since we are small in number (4), it will take much focus and dedication to these efforts.
What is the origin of this innovation? Tell us your story.
The inspiration for Sports Alliance of Malawi began approximately 10 years ago when Dr. Sam Mchombo, a native of Malawi and linguistics professor at the University of California, Berkeley visited his home country. He was approached by a group of youth requesting soccer gear and equipment. The effort to source equipment and monetary funds has been a continuous effort up to this date with the condition attached to it that the youth serve their communities. A paper written by Dr. Mchombo is attached here regarding the history of the project. In the fall of 2005, Ruth Okubo and Dr. Mchombo, both members of the Berkeley Co-Ed Soccer League combined their efforts in raising money and soccer gear for the African countries of Cameroon and Malawi, since both were visiting those respective countries that upcoming holiday season. Being forever impressed by how little the youth of those two African countries possessed, it was decided to form a nonprofit organization in 2006 with the hopes for capacaity building and increased sustainability. SAM, Inc. was officially incorporated in August 2006 and currently has pending applications for tax exemption in the state of California and recently received 501(c)3 federal tax-exempt status. Matthew Dearing and Janet Ceja-Orozco, two dedicated soccer and Malawi enthusiasts have joined our four member board. We all firmly believe that sport is a tool to develop youth in body, mind and spirit. Hence, our motto: Service, Sports, Strength.
Please provide a personal bio. Note this may be used in Changemakers marketing material.
Founder, Sam Mchombo, is an Associate Professor of Linguistics at the University of California, Berkeley. Dr. Mchombo initiated this project at the grassroots level in 1997 on a trip to his native country of Malawi. He published an article that documents this work in the professional journal, 'Soccer and Society' in their April-July 2006 issue. Ruth Okubo assisted in establishing Sports Alliance of Malawi, Inc. in the U.S. along with Matthew Dearing and Janet Ceja-Orozco.
How did you hear about this contest and what is your main incentive to participate? (this is confidential)
I was surfing the internet and ran upon this grant opportunity. Since our organization is on the brink of attaining 501(c)3 status, we are constantly seeking sources of funding. The main incentive would be to source funding to create sustainability and build capacity for our organization.
Affiliation (please list all that apply)
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 | ruth okubo said: Hi Matt, The incident where Justin takes off his shoes to give to a Malawian is heartwarming. It is an aspect of this project that ... about this idea. - 856 days ago read more > |
| Matt Dearing said: I know it would be a real success to find local equipment. It would take care of so much of the logistical concerns as far as ... about this idea. - 856 days ago read more > |
| Matt Dearing said: I have to agree with Sam that the inclusion of women and young girls in Sports Alliance of Malawi and sports in general is very ... about this idea. - 856 days ago read more > |
| ruth okubo said: The comments about making soccer equipment locally available in Africa to obviate the costs incurred in transportation from the United ... about this idea. - 860 days ago read more > |
| ruth okubo said: The comment about inclusion of women soccer in the focus of Sports Alliance of Malawi, Inc. is encouraging. Ever since SAM Inc. was ... about this idea. - 860 days ago read more > |
| Matt Dearing said: Hello all, I work with Ruth and helped develop the SAM Inc. website. I also had the great opportunity to visit Malawi for 8 weeks in ... about this idea. - 860 days ago read more > |
| ruth okubo said: Hi Dana, Thank you for suggesting that Sports Alliance of Malawi connect with Trevor Dudley's work in Uganda. In reading his ... about this idea. - 861 days ago read more > |
| ruth okubo said: Hi Lindsey, Thank you for your comments regarding production of equipment and gear in Africa. That would be the ideal, of course, ... about this idea. - 861 days ago read more > |
| ruth okubo said: Dear Ziba, Thank you for your comment and suggestions. At the time that you posted the comment, I immediately checked out ... about this idea. - 861 days ago read more > |
| Dana Frasz said: Hello Ruth, A few comments were made about locally generated sports equipment. I thought it would be good for you to know about Trevor ... about this idea. - 862 days ago read more > |
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