Children wearing yellow and blue sports uniforms jump with arms raised, reaching for an orange ball on an outdoor court under a partly cloudy sky.

Bhubesi Pride Foundation
Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Malawi

United by Sport

General support

Bhubesi Pride Foundation

Partner

Malawi

Location

3 Years

Duration

Three girls in yellow and blue sports uniforms jump and reach for a red ball on an outdoor court under a blue sky, with a brick wall and plants visible in the background.

Community details

Systemic challenges are holding Malawi’s next generation back from reaching their full potential. Around half of the population is under 18. Many young people in Malawi, particularly in the rural outskirts of the capital Lilongwe, experience forced childhood marriage, teenage pregnancy, limited access to education, and live in poverty. Across the southeastern African country, nearly two-thirds of girls and boys do not graduate from primary school - with people living in poverty and rural areas having lower completion rates. People with disabilities experience challenges, particularly in sport, where access is minimal. Bhubesi Pride Foundation uses sports to empower the next generation of leaders in Malawi.

About the organization

The Malawian NGO equips young people with skills, knowledge, and experience to rise above social, economic, and health challenges. Bhubesi Pride Foundation works with 10-30-year-olds in rural Lilongwe, over half of whom are women, aiming to empower participants to uplift themselves and their communities. The organization creates safe spaces for young people with disabilities and non-disabled people to play, learn, and grow. Through sport, participants tackle prejudices such as ableism and gender inequity. Activities emphasize respect and inclusion and teach participants how to prevent and report incidences of sexual and gender-based violence within their communities.

Children play a game on a grassy field, surrounded by people watching under large tents. Some are wearing blue shirts, while others wear different colors. In the background, more people gather near buildings.

United by Sport

Bhubesi Pride Foundation shines a light on widely experienced, yet rarely addressed, forms of discrimination in Malawi to tackle them. The NGO enables young people with disabilities to access sport and personal growth opportunities and brings participants of all abilities together to challenge ableism and foster respect. By creating ways for people with disabilities and non-disabled young people to prevent and report gender-based violence, the Bhubesi Pride Foundation is tackling taboos and empowering participants to help create a safe and inclusive community.