How Pho3nix Kids Football Is Transforming Lives in Rwanda’s Rainforest Communities

Deep within Nyungwe National Park, one of Africa’s oldest and most biodiverse rainforests, the Pho3nix Kids Football program is doing far more than teaching children how to play “the beautiful game.” It is creating a safe space for play, learning, and environmental awareness in communities where such opportunities are rare.

For many children in these communities, daily life revolves around work and subsistence, leaving little time for recreation. Pho3nix Kids Football offers that opportunity to play; every weekend hundreds of children step onto the field to run, laugh, and learn.

Pho3nix Kids Football provides structure and support, offering not only football coaching but also essential conservation, health, and personal development delivered with cultural sensitivity. For some, the meals provided during sessions may be the most reliable nutrition they receive.

This has created a space where kids can simply be kids, and at the same time grow into young leaders who will protect the world around them.

Fifteen-year-old Jean Pierre Niyibizi comes from Bushekeri Sector on the edge of Nyungwe National Park. “I came without basic football skills – only hope, courage, and passion,” he says. “My dream was always to become a footballer.”

Through Pho3nix Kids Football, he not only learned the sport but also became a stronger student and friend, shaped by the values of discipline, respect, and teamwork. The program’s focus on conservation has also stayed with him. Living on the edge of a treasured rainforest, he now feels a personal responsibility to protect its biodiversity.

Parents have noticed the transformation too. “I encourage other parents to see the children learn to play football and the values that come with it,” says one. Another adds, “The work Pho3nix is doing is very important because they are helping the kids develop their talent.”

The program’s impact continues to grow thanks to Pho3nix funding, which maintains sports facilities, provides essential equipment, and ensures every session includes water and healthy snacks. Pho3nix also trains and employs local coaches like Valens Niyitegeka. “Now the kids are fully motivated and excited for every session,” he says, noting that this support has also lifted the standard of living for coaches as they help the children thrive.

Pho3nix Kids Football is proving that sport can be a powerful catalyst for change, nurturing healthier, more confident children while strengthening the community’s commitment to safeguarding its natural environment.