Underprivileged children in Zambia, Africa, are all smiles thanks to the recent shipment of sports equipment they received through the Global Gear Drive.

 

The Global Gear Drive - created by the National Alliance For Youth Sports - collects new and used youth sports equipment from recreation agencies, companies and individuals that it distributes to children in poverty-stricken regions of the world.

 

"It makes me feel loved to receive a ball which I can play with," said 15-year-old Agness Phiri. "I am very happy because I will be able to learn many games using the different equipment," said 10-year-old Mwaanga Akabana.

 

The Alliance shipped more than 100 soccer and basketballs, as well as t-shirts, shorts, soccer socks, shin guards, shoes, sports bags, pumps and cones to Zambia.

 

Clement Mubanga Chileshe, coordinator of Sport in Action in Zambia, is utilizing it in his sports programs. Sport in Action is one of several groups that comprise Kicking AIDS Out!, an international network of organizations working together to use sport and physical activity as a means to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS.

 

"I want to say thank you to the people who donated the equipment because this will give me a chance to improve my sport talent," said 14-year-old Josephine Banda.

 

"Thanks to the generous contributions of organizations and individuals around the country the Global Gear Drive will make a tremendous difference in the lives of children in Zambia," said Fred Engh, founder and president of the Alliance. "The interest and enthusiasm of agencies around the country in getting involved in the Global Gear Drive is heart-warming, and we look forward in the coming months to sending additional equipment to Zambia, as well as other regions of the world that are in need."