Advancing education and opportunity through Rugby

Wishing you a very happy New Year from all at The Atlas Foundation!

2021 was a great year for Atlas. From onboarding our CEO to running our Christmas fundraising campaign, XV Days of Christmas, and helping even more children, Atlas has had a year to be proud of.

XV Days of Christmas was a success, with rugby legends and the global rugby family getting involved sharing their favourite festive memories and encouraging others to donate. We also shared the stories of some of the children who are helped by our local partners, telling their messages of joy, friendship, and hope for the future. We know that the money raised will give even more children the chance to thrive with the help of our local partner organisations.

With your support, we are helping children like Charles, a thirteen year old boy living in Kibera, the largest urban slum in Africa. There is a large open sewer running outside of Charles' home. Charles has five younger brothers and sisters. His father suffers with depression and alcoholism, and hides himself behind a curtain in their home, often not getting up for days at a time. But there is hope for Charles. Three years ago, Charles met a volunteer called Lisa. Lisa works with the Lunchbowl Network and Kings Rugby Development Academy (KRDA), our local partners.  The Saturday feeding programme meant that Charles had at least one nutritious meal every week, whilst being encouraged to join the rugby academy. Charles is now a keen rugby player and loves the sessions put on by KRDA. The programme also provides fresh, clean drinking water, hot showers, and regular health check-ups. Reusable sanitary pads are also provided to the girls taking part. Charles is now picked up every day in a yellow bus and, along with hundreds of his Kibera neighbours, is taken to school. The children are given a uniform, learning materials, food, water, and plenty of rugby! Charles' life remains tough, but he now eats a proper meal every day and rugby has given him confidence and joy. Charles has access to a high-quality education, meaning one day he has the chance of leaving Kibera behind and thriving in a very different future.

In 2022, we know we can help even more children living in the world’s most vulnerable communities. Get involved with our upcoming events, such as our annual golf day and Tour of Cambridgeshire, and follow us on social media to keep up to date with the work of our local partners around the world. Together, we can give some of the poorest children the chance to thrive.

Thank you for your support in 2021 and we hope to see you in 2022!