Northbound Projects

Furaha Field: Empowering a Community Through Soccer

Harnessing the power of soccer to uplift, empower, and build stronger communities.

Furaha Field is more than just a soccer field—it’s a space for children and women to thrive. Through the game of soccer, we promote physical and mental health, team skills, and women’s empowerment.

The Problem

In sub-Saharan Africa, poverty and social barriers limit opportunities for children and women. Gender inequality issues like child marriage and partner violence keep women in cycles of dependency and poverty. The troubling fact that 1 in 3 girls and 1 in 7 boys in Tanzania experience sexual violence is closely linked to the lack of safe play spaces.

Our Solution

We are partnering with Neema Village to bring hope to a community in Tanzania through the power of sport. Neema is a safe haven for women and children to break cycles of poverty and become self-empowered. This is the perfect place to build a soccer field as they will incorporate it into their current community involvement and offerings.

Sport as Development is a growing model for bringing transformation to communities through teamwork and local empowerment. Combined with the leadership of Neema Village, this field will be more than a safe place to play. It will be a connection point for personal development, relationships and growth.

By providing a safe and supportive space for soccer, Furaha Field offers more than a game. Children gain confidence and life skills, while women find friendship and empowerment. The field will be gated and lit with solar power for safe, extended play. There will be designated weekly play times for both women and girls giving them the access to the benefits of team sports.

Stats on Soccer

Studies show that team sports can improve academic performance and build essential life skills- like communication, collaboration and leadership.

Soccer gives children the skills and experiences to overcome the cycle of poverty.

Women who play soccer are 60% less likely to face domestic abuse, and they gain the confidence to escape harmful traditions like child marriage and female genital mutilation.

For further research, click here.

“Young people engaging in sport acquire important life skills like communication, collaboration, and leadership. These skills increase their confidence, and better qualify them for the labor market.”

– Sport for Development Africa

The construction of Furaha (Joy) Field

Features of the Field

Neema Village is an established and respected organization in the area.

Their current staff of over 100 will help oversee and run the soccer program which provides coaching and safety.

The field will be gated and lit with solar power to ensure safety and more play time after it gets dark at 6 pm.

The field will have scheduled playing times (10 hours weekly) for women and girls which gives them access as well as safety.

Scholarship opportunities for students to become coaches creating job opportunities.

How You Can Help

Help us empower the local community by sponsoring coaches to train and mentor children providing them a safe place physically and spiritually. Sponsor an annual tournament that brings teams together and supports the local economy providing entrepreneurial opportunities as well as empowerment for the players to gain confidence and leadership on and off the field.

The Impact

Mama Ivan

Mama Ivan was struggling to provide for her family. She was becoming discouraged until she came to Furaha Field. Here she was able to join a team with women and regain her confidence. She is able to bring her young children and know they are safe while she practices and gains community.

Now she is being sponsored to become a soccer coach that will provide extra income for her and her family!

At our core we believe in connection. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, information, partnership inquiries, co-branding opportunities, media requests, or simply to say hello.