"Freedom is nothing but a chance to be better."

Highlights of a summer in malawi

SM Galaxy Football Club

SM Galaxy is a charitable youth football club created by University of California Professor, Sam Mchombo, in 2002.  Many of the 30 + players come from the impoverished Ndirande Township in Blantyre.  The players must commit to improving their community by performing important development projects.

Some of their past projects have included:

¨ Supporting Amayi Achifundo orphanage in raising the youth.

¨ Educating neighborhood youth in the dangers of HIV / AIDS.

¨ Cleaning the historical Blantyre Missions, St. Michael’s and CCAP.

¨ Encouraging inmates of Chichiri Prison with needed soccer equipment.

¨ Encouraging the Women’s National Football Club with donations of needed equipment.

¨ Cleaning areas of Blantyre in need of attention, such as Ndirande New Lines.

¨ Extending assistance to the elderly through agricultural work.

The underlying mission of the club can not be understated.  By providing a means for idle youth to better themselves, they will find the confidence and encouragement to better their communities.  It is through sport, that the youth can be most easily motivated to improve other factors in their life.  It is pressed upon the team that any aid they receive is solely an expression of appreciation for the work each member does in bettering self and community.  Rather than creating a means of dependence upon international donations, this process creates a means toward self-awareness and empowerment.

Grass Roots Youth Organization in Malawi

Joseph Kassam explains why SM Galaxy needs financial assistance from willing donors.

Bright, Charles, and Frank talk about their love of soccer and how it helps the youth in Malawi.

Amidst a country void of modern concepts of infrastructure and development, the organization of youth in sports takes a backseat in light of more pressing issues.  In reaction to such circumstances, a few individuals have taken upon themselves to build youth leagues to not only engage the youth in life, but to keep them healthy and alive.  A healthy youth generation will inevitably bring a healthy nation.

 

6:00 min.

Dr. Mchombo on Fitness and Health