Pamoja and the malnourished cow

Pamoja FC, the football team of the Pamoja Child and Youth Foundation based in Mwanza, north-west Tanzania, has recently been promoted into the third tier of the Tanzanian football league. The foundation works with children and youth who have had a difficult start in life, and by providing a safe space and teaching them skills, hopes to give them a better life in the future. I met one of the founders of Pamoja, ex-footballer and gymnast Ssemwogerere Gilbert, when I visited Mwanza for the first time in August 2015. But it wasn't until I returned in November 2016 that I spent time at Pamoja and became involved in the work that they're doing.

Shortly after my arrival Pamoja FC had an important match - the semi-final in a local cup competition. Despite having never seen me play, Gilbert was keen for me to be involved. Shortly before kick off suitable footwear for me was sought and the team underwent their pre-match build up, whilst I attempted to follow the discussion in Swahili on the use of a 3-5-1 vs. 5-3-1 formation. Before long I was lining up with my teammates, whose surprise at playing alongside an mzungu (white person) must have only been exceeded by that of the opposing team and the thousand or so spectators who had gathered to watch.

Gilbert leading the team-talk 

I played in a defensive midfield position, and before succumbing to equatorial conditions and a lack of fitness towards the end of the first half I was happy with my performance, having successfully disrupted the flow of the opposition on several occasions and played a few passes myself. I left the field to continued shouts of 'mzungu!' from the opposing fans, and Pamoja leading 1-0 having scored a spectacular goal - a loopy cross taken down on the knee and volleyed home. The goal epitomised the tremendous composure of the young team, resulting from Gilbert's insistence on 1/2 touch football and playing a technical game.The match finished 1-1 with Pamoja winning on penalties and securing their advancement to the final, where they would meet the Mwanza Bus Terminal team and compete for the prize of a cow.

Celebrating winning the semi-final 

As well as football, the children at Pamoja practice gymnastics, a sport which gave Gilbert the opportunity to travel to Europe at a young age. Education is also central to the foundation, which has recently purchased land on the outskirts of Mwanza on Lake Victoria at Kagere, an important historical site where first Arab Moslem slave traders and later European explorers and missionaries held bases. Here Pamoja have plans to build a school. Establishing a football academy and bringing their team up to the first division of the Tanzanian football league are some of their other objectives.

Lining up for the final 

Rumours surrounding the final were widespread, such as suspicions the opposing team had drafted in players from higher leagues, and even conspired with the powers that be to bring a particularly skinny cow in fear of losing! Following a fairly scrappy match, not helped by a referee too eager to blow his whistle, the final ended goalless with Pamoja losing on penalties. However, the runner-up prize money (200,000 shillings, around $100) will allow the foundation to purchase a goat and host a party at the Pamoja house, where a number of young boys sleep and spend their days.

You can follow Pamoja on Facebook to find out more about the work they’re doing, and also check their website. I have plans to return to Mwanza and Pamoja early next year. Two women who are currently studying in Mwanza have also recently set up this fundraising page to raise money for the school Pamoja hope to build – here you can read more about the project and donate.