UK-based charity ATD Foundation has merged with an NGO in Zambia to create a new organisation to support schools and communities in the southern African country.
Long-term partners ATD Foundation and the Livingstone Youth Football Academy have created Play it Forward, a charity and football club tasked with developing “sustainable livelihoods through quality education and health activities” for young Zambians.
ATD Foundation is the charity arm of ATD Travel Services, which owns the AttractionTickets.com and Do Something Different activity tickets brands.
Play it Forward chief executive Jake Criswick said: “Since the inception of the ATD Foundation, we have collaborated with six local charity partners, who have enabled us to reach thousands of the most vulnerable young people in southern Zambia.
“Play it Forward has a fresh and exciting strategy, built on the experience we have accumulated, the local insight we have gained, and the passion that continues to inspire us.
“We will continue working with local partners on projects – harnessing the power of sport to tackle inequality, provide equal opportunities and bring about positive social change in southern Zambia.”
Planned projects include HIV testing and health education, building schools, football coaching, village banking schemes and digital skills training.