This archive report was first published on 30 June 2020.
Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, a Kenyan boxing club in Nairobi's Mathare North is punching through the challenges and empowering local youth. The Mathare North Boxing Club, which has been training boxers since 1985, has become a crucial outlet for children forced to stay at home due to school closures.
Vanessa Wanjera, a 14-year-old boxer, is one of the many young athletes who have found a new lease on life through the club. She told Reuters, "I want to be a champion, instead of staying in the slums."
Head coach Bernard Muiruri's vision for the programme is to keep kids out of trouble and provide them with a safe space to learn valuable life skills. "We have adhered to all COVID-19 regulations set by the government," Muiruri said. "The training keeps the children busy, ensuring they don’t engage in evils found in the slums. Also staying fit is a way of fighting the virus."
The club's commitment to giving back to the community is evident in its free training sessions. Assistant coach John Kimani explained, "Here at Mathare North Boxing Club we don’t charge. What we do is give back to the community."
Andrew Odhiambo, an 18-year-old boxer, embodies the club's spirit. He has been training since he was 8 years old and wants to share his knowledge with other young people in his community. "I want to help my peers," Odhiambo said. "I train because I want to be somebody. I want to make Mathare proud of me."
