Advancing education and opportunity through Rugby

2023 has been a busy year for Atlas, with our projects continuing to help thousands of deprived children across the globe though the power of rugby.

We recently partnered with SKRUM in Eswatini for the Big Give Christmas Challenge, where all donations until we reached our target of £15,000 were doubled, thanks to our pledgers and our Big Give Champions, The Reed Foundation. Thanks to your donations in the Big Give we smashed our target and raised over £16,000 for SKRUM! The funds raised will go directly to children who need it most in Eswatini.

SKRUM works with schools across Eswatini to educate children on HIV/AIDS and gender equality, using rugby to keep the children engaged. Eswatini has the highest rates of HIV/AIDS in the world, fuelled by a serious lack of understanding of the virus. A vicious patriarchal culture makes this situation much worse, as female rights are completely ignored and gender violence thrives. Through their rugby sessions and classroom lessons, SKRUM are teaching children about these 'taboo' issues and are giving children a way to create a better future for themselves and their communities. SKRUM's visits are normally the only chance the kids have to learn about these topics, and many come out of the sessions feeling empowered.

Thanks to your help, HIV/AIDS rates in Eswatini have started to fall for the first time since the pandemic began. SKRUM continues to work with hundreds of schools in Eswatini, and plan to visit more schools and help more children in 2024!

You can make a differerence to children in Eswatini by donating today - help us make 2024 a better year for the worlds most disadvantaged children.

The past few months have been a busy time for Atlas, with many exciting updates happening!  With your continued support, our local partners across the world continue to work with thousands of children to give them the chance to thrive.

Our newest local partner, Bhubesi Pride Foundation, is working in rural Lilongwe, Malawi, to help children fulfil their potential.  BPF have built a Sports and Education Community centre, where children enjoy rugby sessions and are supported with their education.  Malawi suffers from extreme poverty and food insecurity, as well as severe issues with gender inequality, meaning BPF offers a vital lifeline to children in Lilongwe.  Through assisting the children in school, teaching them about health and wellbeing, and promoting gender equality, BPF is inspiring children to fulfil their potential and help their communities.

Atlas and BPF are having transformational impacts on children like Felix, who has albinism and is often subject to harsh discrimination and prejudice.  Felix struggles with this discrimination, but has found hope through BPF's Reconnect program.  Through this program, coaches at BPF work with Felix and his team mates to ensure Felix no longer faces discrimination from the other children.  Felix is now becoming a great rugby player, and is much happier with his new friends, thanks to BPF's Reconnect program.

To help more children like Felix thrive, check out our social media to find out how you can sponsor BPF's founder, Richard, on his London to Paris cycle ride in October, where all money raised will go directly to BPF.

Thank you for your support over these last few months, follow us on social media @theatlascharity to get regular updates on our projects, including how we are celebrating our local partners throughout the Rugby World Cup!