Making footballs that can save lives in Africa Photo Gallery

Senator Barack Obama

Senator Barack Obama inspecting an Alive & Kicking ball during a recent visit to Kenya

Wangari Maathai

Nobel Laureat Professor Wangari Maathai with an Alive & Kicking ball that was made for UNDP to create awareness of the Millenium Development Goals.

My Ball Kajiado

Kids treasuring an Alive & Kicking ball in Kajiado, Rift Valley Province, Kenya. The Photo was taken by Anna Holmstrom, a Finnish volunteer, working with the Lutherian Church in this poor and very dry part of rural Kenya.

Happy Recipients

Kids from Mugi Village School in Central Province proudly displaying some Alive & Kicking balls that were donated "on line."

The HIV/AIDS Awareness Posters

Once funding is in place, the Alive & Kicking HIV/AIDS Awareness Posters will be sent out to schools and youth groups across Kenya. At the moment, we take them at sports events and use them to talk ot the kids. This photo, taken at a tournament in Maungu, near Voi in Taita District Kenya, shows the creativity of our councelor. He's used a "Matatu," (local taxi) on which to mount the set. A look at the next slide shows how he also uses the Matatu as a backdrop for delivering his address.

Creating HIV/AIDS Awareness in Maungu

Noah - our HIV/AIDS Councelor - creating awareness at a tounament in Maungu, near Voi in Taita District, Kenya

Kids Playing Football with an Alive & Kicking Bal

Another brilliant picture taken by Anna Holmstrom. The kids seem unphased by the state of the pitch. Of more concern are the thorn trees alongside. Unless a ball is repairable, it is of no use in Africa.

The Mombasa Road Workshop

One of two Stitching Centres in Nairobi. This Workshop is now home to 40 stitchers who each make 3 balls a day . The stitchers sit in pairs at work stations, using wooden clamps to hold the leather ball panels. The space provided between work stations allows the stitchers to stretch their arms and pull the threads. The Mombasa Road Workshop also houses Alive & Kicking's Office Administration, and its printing and ball dispatch operations.

A selection of Alive & Kicking Balls

Alive & Kicking make volleyballs and netballs in addition to its soccer balls. All the leather it uses is prepared at a the Bata Shoe Company tannery in Limuru. The socer balls are made in two sizes - the regular size 5, which conforms to FIFA specs re weight and size, and a smaller size 4 which is popular for primary school kids.

Catherine Nderiba & HIV/AIDS Awareness

Alive & Kicking has designed a series of 10 HIV/AIDS awareness posters featuring Kenya's top sports personalities. Each deals with a different aspect of the pandemic. In this poster, Catherine Ndereba, three times Boston Marathon Champion, is stressing the importance of dealing with STIs.