Advancing education and opportunity through Rugby

It was a wonderful end to the Year for The Atlas Foundation. We've been navigating the difficult economic climate right now, collaborating with our partners and exploring new projects to ensure we continue our long-term support to the world's most disadvantaged children. 

We were delighted to the Annual Atlas Trek return after 2 long years of covid! The team travelled to Kenya where they visited the Kibera Slums. Unfortunately, a visitor to these slums would smell it before they saw it, with open sewers and no running water, human and animal faeces and rubbish are allowed to fester. Families must work 16 hour days to make a living and many children can't eat a proper meal. With the help of the trekkers and donations from you, we delivered a lunch meal at the LunchBowl Network's feeding programme, helping children to get at least one proper meal a day. 

Afterwards, the trekkers visited KRDA's rugby programe and schools. Leaving the slums on their big yellow bus, the children are dropped of for the day at the local schools where they are supported in their education and wider mental and emotional learning. Many of the children feel limited in their future, condeming themselves to litter picking in the slums. But the Atlas Foundation and partner KRDA are changing this as many children now say they hope to become teachers, chefs, and doctors. You're support is helping these children to realise their dreams.

Our partners in India, Khelo Rugby, launched their educational pilot in Kolkata with StudyCat. Through GlobalGiving's Little by Little campaign, a fantastic £2000 was raised which will fund 15 tablets; these will assist the children on the education journey, accessing software to improve their language and numbers skills. We hope to watch this expand this year, so do check on our Anita, Alex and Annabel Nicholson Memorial Fund page!

Thank you for your support over the last few months. As we come out the cold, winter months, we would love to have you join us on our annual Golf Day in Surrey and Tour of Cambridgeshire. Make sure to follow us on social media to keep up to date!

Atlas understands that education is a vital part of a child’s personal development as well as a vital step for a happy and fulfilling life. It’s why we partner with local organisations and charities who share this recognition and who can give a tangible impact to each of the children we support.

Like any pioneering, there have been a few bumps in the road in the development of the Atlas DigiBus but thanks to the hard work of our partners and supporters, the DigiBus is now serving the children of Langa, Cape Town! South Africa has an unequal education system with many schools struggling with overcrowding, staff and pupil absenteeism and poor educational attainment as well as high drop rates which are perpetuating cycles of poverty. The DigiBus is a converted Scania bus, fitted with 40 laptops and 2 teaching stations, it is helping children in the Langa community with English, Numeracy and digital skills. Since children learn in their mother tongue until Grade 4 and then transition to English, they are left unable to understand the content and fall behind which had left a staggering 40% drop out rate. But the DigiBus is now helping to change this as it supports children to make the transition between English and their mother tongue.

Supporting Atlas means supporting direct change and to make a meaningful impact to the lives of children and young adults. Our partner, Gauteng Women’s Rugby Institute, is also based in South Africa and has helped establish pathways for young girls and women to pursue education and a performance-based career with their rugby. Lebogang is one such player who has faced a lot of hardship in her life, sadly losing her grandmother earlier this year who she had lived with since she was young. The programme has supported her with resources and emotional support, as well as keeping her motivated to play rugby. Lebogang is now set to receive a scholarship to study at a tertiary institute this year.

Thank you for your support the last few months, not just for donations but for your continued engagement with Atlas and our partners on our socials and at our events. Together we can create the momentum to drive forward more change for these children. Have a look at our website for upcoming ultra-challenges in London and Dorset, as well as next years’ Golf Day and Tour of Cambridgeshire.