Protect 150 children in Kilifi, Kenya

Grandsons of Abraham end the year with happy news for all our supporters. With little practice, no equipment nor the needed gear for the game, the boys moved from the county to national and international baseball competitions in a span of one month. The Team also produced the best and youngest national player of the year. Now they are celebrated champions in the country.

It all started when boys who are participants in the school’s Baseball team at Abraham's Education Centre participated and emerged victors at the Jack Robinson Tournament at Chang’ombe Primary school in Kaloleni, Kilifi County on November 14, 2021.

As champions of the County, they would represent the coast region at the national competitions held at Kenyatta University in Nairobi the following week. It was here that the boys’ prowess in the game was noticed. Despite little practice, the boys came third at the national games and one of them, Ramadhan (16 years old) was crowned the best and youngest player of the year.

“We were the youngest Team and it was our first time at the national level. We even played against Teams from the Universities. Playing at the prestigious University of Nairobi is something we had never dreamt of, and we are very grateful to all who support us to reach our potential not only in academics but also in extra curriculum activities”, said David, one of the players.

Following their spectacular performance at the National Level, the Grandsons Team had three of them chosen to play in the national team in Uganda. They played in Uganda on December 12^th and 13^th 2021 where they competed with international Teams as part of the Kenyan Team.

Another player, Salim says that “this has been a great opportunity for us. It has exposed us to the world of Baseball Competitions as it has been our first time to compete. The exposure was very good and even made us to go out of the country. It has been very exciting and motivating”

Following this, the Grandsons have been requested to participate in all future games. “We cannot wait to participate in more games in the future”. Says Ramadhan.

Baseball is not famous in Kenya but in countries like the US, Japan, South Africa and the UK. So how did the boys at Grandsons get involved in it?

“One of our older boys, Darius learnt it in high school where he had met an American friend, Jimmy. When Darius returned to Grandsons of Abraham Centre, he taught the game to his colleagues”, says an elated Sr. Janefrances, the Director of the Centre.

Darius, would later join the national baseball Team after high school and he is now a baseball coach. Since he introduced the level 5 game to his brothers they started playing it for fun with no equipment at all, but improvised ones.

Thus it was a blessing when recently, the President of Baseball in Kenya Mr. Titus visited Grandsons, and introduced Baseball 9 that uses equipment. The boys practiced for only two days after which they went for competitions at the County level and emerged number one.

“Can you imagine even without our own equipment we won? All what we used for the competitions was borrowed”, says a thoughtful Ramadhan.

Following their win, other boys want to take part in the games. Now Grandsons have instituted two teams. A Juniors Team (7-12 years) and a Seniors Team (Ages 13 – 17). They seem happy to play and nothing can deter their spirit even without equipment, regalia or team kits. A true Christmas gift for you, our friend who continues to support us through GlobalGiving.