Zambian children benefit from new stove thanks to Athletic Union donation

Children at the Fountain of Hope orphanage in Lusaka, Zambia will benefit from a new five-plate gas stove thanks to a generous donation from the University of St Andrews Athletic Union and students from St Andrews.

The stove, which was installed through the University’s long-term partnership with leading Zambian sports NGO Sport in Action (SIA) as part of the Wallace Group, will help to alleviate the cooking challenges facing the orphanage, which has been struggling with the ongoing load shedding and rising charcoal costs.

Fountain of Hope is a small compound in the Kamwala area of the capital and it is home, school and medical centre to approximately 130 children. The centre, which houses both boys and girls and helps to feed a significant number of additional non-residents on a daily basis, is one of many sites across Zambia supported by Sport in Action who seek to improve people’s quality of life through sport and recreational activities.

The seven universities of the Wallace Group share a commitment to support the development of sport in Zambia through the Volunteer Zambia project and have been working with Sport in Action for 20 years.

Over the course of the partnership the Wallace Group and their recognised charity the Volunteer Zambia Foundation have supported the Fountain of Hope orphanage in many ways, including funding the installation of a multisport court in 2019, the renovation of the toilet and shower block in 2023, and a fundraising initiative that sees the Wallace Group and partners cover 100% of food costs for the centre.

Through Volunteer Zambia, student volunteers from across the Wallace Group universities have also supported Sport in Action peer leaders and coaches to deliver sport and educational sessions to young people at the centre as part of their eight-week international volunteer project.

Receiving the donation on behalf of Fountain of Hope, Director of Programs Mr Godson Mwaba Matende expressed his gratitude to Sport in Action and the University of St Andrews, saying: “We are so thankful for the continued support from SIA and its partners for this kind gesture. This gas stove will go a long way in supporting the young people we have here.”

University of St Andrews Athletic Union President Olivia King said: “I’m really pleased that our Athletic Union Board approved the decision to support Sport in Action projects using the money raised by our students. It was truly moving to personally see the positive impact our donations have made to the community at Fountain of Hope, they were so grateful for our support.”

Director of Sport Stephen Stewart MBE said: “It is really pleasing to see the development of Fountain of Hope over the years, from an all-boys residential compound, to the inclusion of girls, the introduction of a medical centre and the development of an enterprise initiative that sees the children make items to raise money for the centre.”

The donation from our student led Athletic Union builds on the University’s volunteering activities with Sport in Action over the past 20 years, as well as supporting the University’s global commitment to social responsibility and sustainability.