About Alive and Kicking
Alive and Kicking is a network of impactful organisations that share the same purpose, mission and values. Together we use the lifecycle of a sports ball to grow and strengthen communities around the world. Our balls are created to have a positive social impact in the way they are manufactured, distributed and used.
We economically empower adults from vulnerable job groups through employment and entrepreneurship
The Need
Over 40% of people in sub-Saharan Africa are living below the poverty line meaning their income is $1.90 or less per day. As a result, individuals and their families are unable to access vital goods and services such as education, health care and food. Although unemployment rates in Sub-Saharan Africa have been dropping, 76% of jobs are classed as vulnerable. This means that workers can have limited access to social protection schemes, are often faced with low and highly volatile earnings and may be forced to work in unsafe conditions.
What We Do
Through ball production Alive and Kicking create ethical jobs for adults from vulnerable job groups and empower refugees to set up their own micro enterprises. On average our employees stay with us for 11 years, are 53 times more likely than the national average to own their own home, seven times more likely to be able to access health care, and their children are four times more likely to complete school.
We ensure children facing disadvantage have free, easy and safe access to sport through Alive and Kicking’s inclusive sport programmes
The Need
Communities facing disadvantage encounter numerous challenges when accessing sport. This includes poor quality playing equipment, lack of access to sports facilities, financial barriers, and unsafe environments. As a result, young people find it harder to enjoy the benefits that regular sport and exercise can bring.
What We Do
Using the profits made from selling our sports balls, plus additional fundraising, we partner with trusted community organisations around the world to carefully donate Alive and Kicking sports balls and open Ball Library hubs. Each ball we make is proven to last up to eight times longer that other brands, can then be fixed to prolong life even further and reaches an average of 45 young people. Our programmes are proven to boost the physical, mental and social wellbeing of those that access them.
We economically empower adults from vulnerable job groups through employment and entrepreneurship
The Need
Poor mental health is prevalent among young people in the countries we work. One in seven children suffer from major psychological problems including depression and anxiety. Despite a high prevalence of poor mental health, healthcare options are inefficient, inadequate, and inequitable. It is a similar situation with HIV where over 660 young people contract HIV every day across the countries we work. As the youth population grows more needs to be done to improve education and health care.
What We Do
We train youth leaders across our network of trusted partners to deliver Mental Health and Sexual Reproductive Health and Rights education directly to young people in their local communities. Utilising our award-winning play based methodology, education is delivered directly through sports coaching and is proven to positively impact the knowledge, behaviour and attitudes of those that access the programme. For example, participants are more than three times more likely to seek support when needed.
