Shamas Rugby Foundation (SRF) is a Sports For Development Organization that was established in 2010, in Nairobi, Kenya. Our goal is to promote the physical, mental, social, and academic development of boys and girls living in urban slums and rural areas in Kenya.
Today, SRF works in five areas in Nairobi and Kiambu county (Kibera, Mathare, Eastlands, Kangemi and Ruiru area), reaching over 2’000 boys and girls (age 8 to 21).
Our motto is: ‘Changing lives with scrums and tries’.
An Africa where boys and girls have the opportunity to fulfill their potential and become change agents for their communities.
OUR MISSION
To promote the physical, mental, social, and academic development of boys and girls living in urban slums and rural areas in Kenya.
In particular, SRF’s mission rotates around four pillars which are:
1. Grassroots rugby development
SRF works with a team of 32 coaches to develop and nurture basic rugby skills of children and youth (age 8-21) in the 5 areas we work in. SRF coaches conduct rugby sessions in over 25 primary and secondary schools during weekdays with over 2’000 pupils participating. In addition, each centre hosts rugby clinic sessions on Sundays. Over 750 players are actively involved in this program. SRF uses rugby tournaments and festivals as a platform for the children to showcase their talent. When the players turn 18, they are promoted to our senior teams which participate in the leagues organized by Kenya Rugby Union.
2. Education and Employability
SRF provides opportunities to beneficiaries to receive better quality education. This is done by awarding the most promising and most needy children with scholarships for secondary education. Some of the scholarships are directly provided by the organization, others come from the SRF network of families and friends. Today, 51 children are on scholarship (60% boys and 40% girls) in some of the best Kenyan public and private secondary schools.
In addition, players that have finished secondary school participate in work-based training that prepare them to enter the workforce. SRF has partnered with local companies to provide internship, part-time and full-time employment opportunities. This program exposes and introduces our players to the dynamic environment of the job market. Over 60 senior players are currently enrolled in this program.
3. Life Skills and Resilience
SRF’s main goal is to develop beneficiaries both on and off the rugby pitch. Socio-emotional support and life skills are at the core of our ‘SRF Journey’. Beneficiaries from primary school, secondary school, and post-secondary are able to be part of various programs and are provided services that meet them at their point of need as they grow in age, and in knowledge.
In particular, the programs under this pillar are: 1) Take Control! Life Skills Program for Primary Schools; 2) Secondary Schools Life Skills Program; 3) Professional Skills Development Program; 4) Mentorship Program; 5) Counselling Program.
4. Community Welfare
The Community Welfare pillar ensures that there is a connection between SRF and the communities. SRF is able to interact with other community members of the areas from which our players live. To achieve this, we embraced the following principles: 1) To equip household heads with knowledge on financial literacy; 2) To train caregivers on child safeguarding and protection; 3) To create a serene and safe reading environment; 4) To promote healthy living in the communities we work with; 5) To promote good mental health & access to counseling services.
Training Workshops
SRF social workers provide training and workshops tailored to the different participants. Necessary linkages to partner organizations are made on a need basis. The training and workshops under the following thematic areas:
i. Child Protection and Safeguarding.
ii. Positive parenting.
iii. Health: adherence to treatment.
iv. Financial Literacy, Entrepreneurship and small business management.
SRF has also a vision of implementing the following programs which have been raised as concerns by the communities.
Reading Centers
SRF looks to set up a reading center in all the communities that it works in. These centers will be providing access to the necessary reading materials for primary school pupils. The libraries will be stocked with textbooks, revision guides and referral books. They will be set up in safe areas within the communities where the students can easily access. They will be built to serve up to 400 students a day. During school days, these centers will be opened in the evening on weekdays and the whole day on weekends to facilitate the pupils to do their homework. When the students are on holiday, the libraries will remain open.
2. Counseling Centers
SRF has the vision of setting up counseling clinics in the communities we operate in. The clinics shall have professional counselors, a medical healthcare desk, nutritionists and life-coaches to provide a variety of treatments and services for the health of the communities. We look to set up in a central location easily accessible to the community members. The center will also be used to provide counselling services to troubled community members by professional counselors. It will be the first visit place for sick community members where the physician will be able to assess the signs and symptoms, give medications and make referrals where necessary.
