Volleyball Foundation
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation supports Githurai Kimbo Academy in creating opportunities for 216 young people through volleyball training, mentorship and life skills development, alongside 41 education scholarships
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation is strengthening the work of Githurai Kimbo Academy in Nairobi, supporting the academy’s efforts to advance grassroots volleyball, education and personal development within the local community.
A community-driven volleyball academy, Githurai Kimbo Academy is based in Githurai 45 in Nairobi, providing volleyball training for young people aged five to 18, while supporting their education through scholarships.
“ All of the kids, coaches and volunteers here are part of the Global Volleyball Movement, and each and every one of them is as important as the best players in the world because they are an essential part of our sport. Without them, we won’t have anyone playing volleyball in the future,” FIVB President Fabio Azevedo said during his visit.
Support from the FIVB Volleyball Foundation has helped expand the academy’s reach to 216 participants, 38 per cent of them girls, while providing 41 education scholarships.
Githurai Kimbo Academy CEO Samuel Gacharira highlighted the importance of combining volleyball development with access to education.
“We have transformed the kids’ lives through our model of developing volleyball skills hand in hand with educational scholarships. Through education they can gain meaningful employment and those that excel in volleyball get chances elsewhere,” Gacharira said.
The impact of the academy can also be seen through former beneficiaries.
Brian Kamonde joined the academy at six and has risen through the ranks to become assistant captain of the Kenya national team and play for Kenyan league champions Kenya Ports Authority, while giving back as a volunteer coach at the academy.
“This academy defines my journey and when people see me playing, they see Githurai. This is my story and this is my foundation. Volleyball changed my life,” Kamonde said.
Anne Njoki, captain of Githurai Kimbo Queens, now works at Hemingways Hotels as an IT security analyst while continuing to support young players at the academy.
“It’s really amazing to see the number of girls coming to the court growing every day. I see myself in them because I also started here from scratch as a young girl.
“We will keep doing our best to mentor them to not only become good players but also responsible humans. I would like to appeal for support from women out there to come and help us with mentorship. We need many role models to inspire the girls,” Njoki said.
Swabrina Naliaka, a scholarship beneficiary at Lily Academy and captain of the U15 girls’ team, shared how the academy has shaped her.
“My dream is to do well in school and become a neurosurgeon. In the future, I want to come back to help Githurai Kimbo and the Githurai community which have shaped my life,” Naliaka said.
The FIVB Volleyball Foundation is further strengthening its support for Githurai Kimbo Academy through the construction of a modern volleyball court. During the visit, Azevedo also led the groundbreaking ceremony for the new court.
“Volleyball has the power to bring people together and we want to share values of volleyball all over the world. Githurai is a great example of this,” Azevedo said.
“Our vision is to move the entire volleyball community from the current 800 million to 1.6 billion by 2032. To achieve this, we have to make the sport more accessible, more affordable and more understandable and that’s why we share this passion with these kids,” Azevedo said.
