Bill's Bus to help Rugby change African lives
In January 2012, Bhubesi Pride will embark on its first expedition, working with 15 schools in 10 African countries to use rugby as a tool for education and development. The Bill McLaren Foundation will be with them every step of the way, supporting the expedition with "Bill's Buses" - all terrain vehicles which will be used to transport coaches and equipment around the continent.
The initiative involves a highly qualified team of coaching staff driving through Africa during six-month missions, delivering mass participation rugby and education programmes in schools and communities. The programme also aims to empower young teachers and also build and grow personal relationships between children and staff between British and African schools.
Richard Bennett, Founder and Project Co-ordinator of Bhubesi Pride says "Rugby and its values - as highlighted so well through the Bill McLaren Foundation - is a brilliant way to drive social change and to change lives for the better through sports development. Through Bhubesi Pride's project work, we can use the sport in a meaningful way, where children in Africa can enjoy playing the game, but also learn about other important issues such as health and respect of themselves and others around them."
Richard continued "It is an honour for the Bill McLaren Foundation to recognise the value in our work, I sincerely hope to continue to build on the relationships we have developed so far with our friends in Africa and in the UK. When you are so passionate about developing a project of this nature, sometimes all you want to do is bring more people on board to share that passion and inspire others! It's just a privilege to have the Bill McLaren Foundation working alongside us on this fascinating journey."
Brian Renwick, Grants Director at the Bill McLaren Foundation added "'The Bhubesi Pride application really excited us - the aims of both charities are so similar; using rugby as the vehicle for improving life skills fits exactly with what we are all about. Bill was not only a great rugby coach and commentator to the rugby world, but for many others with whom he came into contact he taught fairness, discipline and respect for others. As a charity, we are also thrilled to show that we support rugby all over the world and we are really looking forward to hearing how Richard and his team progress in the coming months.."
Linda Lawson "When we first heard about Bhubesi Pride we were immediately interested in the concept of taking rugby to African communities. When we met Richard we were impressed with his vision, in particular how he saw rugby as developing life skills of both boys and girls in so many countries throughout the continent. I personally am pleased that we're bringing rugby, and Dad's name, to places that have never heard of him before."
Working in Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, Tanzania, Malawi, Zambia, Botswana, Namibia and South Africa, the initiative contributes to three of the UN’s eight Millennium Development Goals :
- UNITE African children through sport (boys and girls), addressing health education and life skills
- EMPOWER local teaching staff (male and female), providing equipment, resources and knowledge
- INSPIRE long-term development through the establishment and development of international school links.
Work is ongoing and will continue until at least 2014 as part of a long-term, sustainable programme.
The Foundation has launched a Supporters' Club that all rugby enthusiasts and fans of Bill are invited to join, please visit www.billmclarenfoundation.co.uk/support.
Posted on Wednesday, 11 January 2012 under Rugby Grants Bhubesi Pride