Favor Football Academy in the Kibera Slums
Ole! Ole! Ole! Ole! Ki-be-ra, forward!
How it all began
The football club was opened at the Favor School in March 2025. Before that, the kids used to kick around a bundle of torn plastic bags, tied up with old twine. They played barefoot, across ravines and garbage dumps, over glass and stones. We channeled the children's energy into a professional direction.
We rented the pitch and leveled it ourselves. The Favor players trained right in their school uniforms and regular shoes. The main thing was, there was an ocean of enthusiasm and desire. They ran faster than the wind, listened to the coach, and their eyes shone with passion.
We rented the pitch and leveled it ourselves. The Favor players trained right in their school uniforms and regular shoes. The main thing was, there was an ocean of enthusiasm and desire. They ran faster than the wind, listened to the coach, and their eyes shone with passion.
The opening of the club
The first training sessions
Real balls appeared
Chocolate medals
The first kit
The first boots
A star coach from the slums
The children train under a professional coach from Nairobi, Ali Doika. He is the founder of two children's football clubs of his own in Nairobi and formerly owned a football school in Germany. He himself comes from the slums, which is why he genuinely cares about our club — a club for children just like he once was — and sincerely believes in its success.
New kit
"Red and gold!" That was the unanimous answer from our players when we asked them to choose the color and design of their new club kit. "OK, agreed." The goalkeepers will be in blue. With support from a sponsor, we ordered two sets each. One is the home kit, the other is the away kit — for future friendly victories.
The new football kit, red and gold — it's nothing less than wings on your back.
The new football kit, red and gold — it's nothing less than wings on your back.
And these are the first professional boots we bought for the kids. We got them from closeout sales — that way it's much cheaper — but we still picked branded ones and found the right size for each player — which is important with boots.
Boots
The girls in action
We never seriously considered the girls for football. We dreamed of a more 'feminine' sport for them. But dreaming is boring for them — they asked to give it a try. And that's how a girls' team appeared at our school.
Tournaments
After six months of training, the 'Favor' team took part in their first official away tournament. Three clubs participated in the tournament. The opponents were the same age as our kids, but had extensive professional football experience. Favor Club's results were respectable. No 'clean sheets' — we lost three matches, but in a hard-fought battle and with a not-shameful goal difference. A special point of pride — a draw. The kids actually scored goals, and that in itself is a result.
"The biggest adventure of their lives" — that's what the kids themselves said. On the way, they said they never imagined they would ever leave Kibera. For the first time, they realized that sport truly opens doors.
Nairobi Christmas Football Tournament
A professional pitch in the capital, 4 clubs participating. We — the Favor Football Academy — are among both the participants and the organizers. Our team's kits are brand new. The boots are professional. We haven't taken the main trophy yet, but we managed to draw the attention of the local youth league leadership to the issue of promoting football in the slums.
improving children's physical fitness
healthy leisure activities (there aren't many alternatives in the slums)
keeping kids away from the temptations and deadly risks of the streets
a 'social elevator' and a real chance to escape the slums
healthy leisure activities (there aren't many alternatives in the slums)
keeping kids away from the temptations and deadly risks of the streets
a 'social elevator' and a real chance to escape the slums
Why is a football academy needed
What does the club need now
- New boots. In the photo are the ones we bought for the Favor players less than a year ago. Intensive training has literally torn apart the boots and kit. Some need to be replaced.
- Tournaments. We need funds to send our players to new championships and tournaments — and to host our own.
- Maintaining the pitch in playable condition.
Bank Account Details:
You can make one-time donation on a particular expenditure.
We will send a photo-and-receipt report, when we spend your donation.
We will send a photo-and-receipt report, when we spend your donation.
ICAF «CHILDREN MUST LIVE»
Contacts
- all@tabor.school
- all@childrenmustlive.com