Project Luangwa is a charitable trust registered in the United Kingdom and Zambia, working towards the improvement of education, gender equality and health in the remote rural communities of South Luangwa, which is situated approximately 600km North East of the Capital Lusaka. 

Zambia is a landlocked country of 19.6m people, designated by the World Bank as one of the Least Developed countries in the world. Despite a fast growing economy post Covid (+3.7% 2021/2) those living in extreme poverty tend to be rural and 61% of the population lives below the international poverty line, compared to 41% across sub-Saharan Africa. 

Sport is a key element in promoting good health, providing strong role models and offering a positive outlet that reduces under age drinking, drug taking, truancy, teenage pregnancies and early marriages. Unfortunately despite the demand and key benefits, there is little to no access to sporting facilities in the entire Eastern province of Zambia. Football in particular is a hugely popular pastime with over 30 youth teams playing in the area, but most pitches are completely unusable for 3-5 months of the year and poor conditions have even resulted in broken legs and ankles. Girls' sporting options are particularly limited. Post Covid we have carried out a lot of work in providing boots and sports kit for the first time, and reintroduced the girls netball and ladies football leagues, along with the under 12 and under 15 Leagues for the boys. Despite this, the demand and need continues to grow. 

In addition we run a very successful school leaver programme, preparing young people for life at University and employment through improved IT skills, life skills including financial planning, budgeting and organisation, and improved English and presentation skills. These students also have a high need for extra-curricular sporting activities and our plan is to create a sport and learning campus in the heart of rural Mfuwe, near to the main township with a population of over 119,000 residents.

In terms of impact, the planned site will include teaching and library spaces, a Boarding House for c60 students, volunteer teacher housing, a professional 11-a-side football pitch, a 5-a-side pitch, netball courts, volley ball court, a running track and a tennis court. Not only will these facilities be a focal point for the local community, providing a much needed sporting venue for the surrounding area, it will also allow our crucial teaching programme to expand beyond its current boundaries. We will support up to 5,000 local people per week, with over 119,000 residents having access in total. The project will also help to empower local artisans and support economic growth for families.

We have already raised $70,000 towards the project, but need additional help to get it across the line. With your support we hope to bring an unprecedented resource to thousands of disadvantaged children and families in one of the poorest areas of Africa.