Over the last 16 years, Alive and Kicking has provided life changing support to communities and people facing economic and social disadvantage. There have been bumps in the road, but that hasn’t stopped us creating over 1,200 ethical jobs and reaching over 89,000 young people with vital health education. Today we are facing a global challenge that affects people in all corners of the world. Already the COVID-19 pandemic is having a serious impact upon our work here, and upon that of our partners. Together we are taking collective action to ensure our staff, beneficiaries and partners remain safe and well, while still looking to build on the impact we have made since 2004. Over the coming months the disruptions caused by the virus will be harmful, not only to people and their wellbeing, but also to the crucial work that we do across Ghana, Kenya and Zambia. Our country centres are operating In line with local government and World Health Organisation guidelines with ball production processes being modified or ceased completely. The same changes can be said for our health programmes, which are being adapted in all three countries to ensure the safety of our participants. During this time we will not be able to generate key income from ball sales. This will be devastating for our employees and their families, which is why we are currently working hard to adapt our operations and find temporary alternative funding streams, in order to support them through this crisis. From a health programme perspective, we are busy developing creative ways to utilise online technologies so that we can continue to reach young people with vital health education. It is so important at this very difficult time to hold onto signs of hope, not least the exciting developments that the future holds for Alive and Kicking. These include the opening of a new centre in Uganda, the launch of a new synthetic ball for the global market and the growth of our innovative and effective mental health education programme. There are many challenges ahead, but also much to learn and look forward to. As the Alive and Kicking community navigates this period together, we in the UK are more aware than ever of just how much our work relies upon your support. That support, expressed in so many ways, is hugely appreciated and will be needed more than ever in the future. Please do contact me directly using ben.sadler@aliveandkicking.org if you have ideas and other practical ways of helping our work. Throughout this crisis, Alive and Kicking will continue to do all that we can to ensure we are there to support those most in need. We look forward to doing this together with you, our supporters, as we fight to create ethical employment and provide access to vital sport and health education. Thank you for your continued support. Ben Sadler, CEO, Alive and Kicking
