Impact
Orphans in Football
Building a safe community of growth, mentorship and opportunity
In Kenya, approximately 3.6 million children are classified as orphans or vulnerable, with 646,887 having lost both parents. These children face unimaginable challenges — loneliness, poverty, and limited opportunities. The KickStartKenyaFootball mission provides a lifeline, empowering these young people through the unifying power of football.
Why this is personal
For Taiwo Leo Atieno, founder of KickStartKenyaFootball, this mission is deeply personal. At 16, Taiwo lost his mother to cancer and became an orphan in the UK. Amidst his grief, football became his refuge. It was more than a game — it became a family, a source of mentorship, and a platform to rebuild his life. Taiwo's journey is proof that football can change lives, and he is determined to share that hope with Kenya's orphans.
Initiatives for orphans
Grassroots football academies
Establishing safe environments for orphans to train, learn and grow under the guidance of experienced mentors (SDGs 1, 3 and 4).
Community football tournaments
Organising competitions that showcase orphans' talents and foster teamwork and inclusivity, giving them a sense of achievement and belonging (SDGs 3 and 10).
Infrastructure development
Building eco-friendly sports facilities that provide safe spaces for mentorship and recreation, while promoting sustainability (SDGs 11 and 13).
Education and career pathways
Introducing orphans to diverse roles in football — including officiating, management and marketing — while supporting their educational pursuits (SDGs 4 and 8).
Mental health and support networks
Providing emotional support and fostering resilience through football-based counselling programmes and partnerships with mental health professionals (SDGs 3 and 10).
Leadership and inclusivity programmes
Fostering leadership skills and opportunities for young orphans to rise as role models within their communities (SDG 5).
Partnership and advocacy initiatives
Collaborating with local and international organisations to amplify impact and ensure the long-term success of these initiatives (SDG 17).
The broader impact
By integrating these milestones, KickStartKenyaFootball transforms not only the lives of individual orphans but also the communities they call home. Football becomes more than a game — it becomes a tool for real social change, addressing mental health, fostering unity and promoting inclusivity.
Measurable goals
- Impact the lives of at least 10,000 orphans over the next five years through tailored programmes and mentorship.
- Create a sustainable football ecosystem that uplifts communities and offers new opportunities for vulnerable children.
Support our milestones
- Build safe and inclusive football academies for orphans.
- Provide access to education and career pathways through football.
- Develop sustainable sports infrastructure to serve as community hubs.
- Foster emotional well-being and resilience among vulnerable children.
Together, we can ensure that every orphan has a place to belong, a team to call family, and a future full of promise. Send us a proposal and help build it — one child, one milestone and one goal at a time.