Children Empowerment through Sports

The football project Meru Warriors was founded in 2013 by the Tanzanian teacher Joseph Smith and is still led by him. His goal is to make football and other sporting activities more popular in schools in order to bring the children and the whole community closer together, true to the motto: 'Come with passion, leave with vision'. To share his passion with as many children and young people as possible, he works with various schools in Arusha. There he and other coaches offer football training several times a week for children aged three to 17 for a small fee or sometimes even free of charge. He also supports particularly talented young people through special training courses and grants. Some of the children and young people whom Joseph trains come from particularly disadvantaged families and without Meru Warriors would never have the opportunity to play football in a real team, so often prove to be the most disciplined and ambitious in training. For children and teenagers who show violent behaviour at a young age, regular practice of a team sport can strengthen characteristics such as self-control, discipline and the ability to work in a team which will help them in later life. The "Meru Warriors Talent Program" is constantly looking for talented children in the student league throughout Tanzania, who are then supported by scholarships and housed together in a house in Arusha. These children train hard with the aim of being placed in a professional club once they turn 18.

Your work

The training takes place several times a week on three different training grounds. Depending on your previous knowledge and interests, you can train a group yourself or support one of the trainers in their work.

Many of the children and teenagers are also interested in yoga classes, acrobatics, running and everything else that has to do with movement. So if you have previous knowledge of another sport and want to share your passion for it, you are cordially invited to support Meru Warriors.

In addition to regular football training, the club also often goes to tournaments in the area on weekends. You are welcome to go to the competitions to support the team.

You can also help Joseph organize fundraising, maintain the club's social networks or train a coach.

Please note:

Soccer training usually takes place in the afternoons when the children and young people come home from school. Since the training grounds and the office are around 20 kilometres from the hostel, we recommend that you stay with our host family, whose house is within walking distance of the project. So you are back in your accommodation before dark and your safety is ensured.

You can agree with Joseph on site what is coming up and then plan your day flexibly. Either you help with training, support the children in the talent program with learning or organize fundraising or social media campaigns in the office. When tournaments are pending, you are cordially invited to accompany and support the team.

On Saturdays the training starts at 9 am and lasts about three hours. At the same time, the children in their age groups train with their own trainer. After this training you can devote yourself to the special talent development of one of the children or just enjoy the time off.

You can also offer your own courses for the children in the afternoons and introduce them to other sports.

We offer a wide range of activities at affordable volunteer rates like: 
1. Hiking/Walking tours to waterfalls, through forests and around a lake. 
2. Swimming in paradise like hot springs with a glimpse of Mt. Kilimanjaro. 
3. Cultural tours to Maasai markets and the possibility to visit different ethnic groups. 
4. Coffee plantation tour to learn about the process from the bean to the finished product. 
5. Safaris to the national parks of the Northern Circuit (Arusha NP, Lake Manyara NP, Tarangire NP, Serengeti NP, Ngorongoro Conservation Area). 
6. Climbing Mount Meru and Mount Kilimanjaro. 
7. FREE town tour for all our volunteers!