At the game against Reading, fans were invited to bring along any discarded football kits in order for Zambian children to wear during an after school project called Games for Life, which is a programme organised by CHEP, a Zambian organisation that encourages education on how to prevent HIV, Malaria and TB. The generosity of everyone who donated shirts, shorts, socks and boots was overwhelming. The weight of the kits when put together came to an amazing 30 kilos. We are still currently in negotiations with agencies on the best (and cheapest) method of getting the goods dispatched over to Africa, and if anyone also knows of any air/freight cargo companies who could help us then please do get in touch by either emailing us at the following address Info@qpr1st.co.uk or writing to QPR 1st, PO Box 30880, London, W12 OXA. for news of the appeal and pictures see the bottom of this report
Further updates will appear here and in future issues of the club programme, in the meantime please see the following message from CHEP coordinator, Jonathon Mwape.
“Dear QPR fans. I don’t know how I can express myself on how impressed I am on the collection that has been going on that side and the generosity of people who have contributed to the same. I can assure you that this is a start of a long partnership with you guys there which may see us making exchange visits to share ideas and experiences from both nations. The equipment will also be put to good use towards the fight against HIV/AIDS with young people through the use of “Games For Life” programme”.
Jonathon Mwape Coordinator. (GFL)
Copperbelt Health Education Project (CHEP)
8 Diamond Drive – Martindale Area
Kitwe Central
Kitwe – Copperbelt
Zambia
Games For Life Appeal
The Copperbelt Health & Education Project (CHEP), based in Zambia, is a non-government organisation which works towards educating the people of that region in healthy living, with the aim of reducing the number of unnecessary illnesses and deaths. Zambia is a Country where 1 in 4 people are infected by HIV/AIDS and also huge numbers die from Malaria and TB.
Following contact being made by one of the VSO volunteer workers, Dan Cashdan who is a QPR fan, an appeal was made to QPR supporters for their help with any donations for sporting kits/equipment. One of CHEP’s programmes is called Games for Life, in which games of football and netball are organised for out of school youths, with the main aim being to intersperse sport with education on how to prevent HIV, Malaria and TB. In many cases, the Games for life are the only access to health education that these youths are able to receive. Due to a shortage of footballs and suitable clothing for the children to wear during these games, an appeal was launched.
Along with the pledge of footballs from QPR FC, the generosity of supporters has been overwhelming. The items received to date include: 87 shirts (including England, Manchester United, Reading, Swindon Town, Crewe Alexandra, Barcelona, AC Milan, complete youth team strips, and of course many various QPR ones), 43 pairs of shorts, 29 pairs of socks, 9 pairs of boots and some miscellaneous items including a stopwatch, running bottoms, training vests, bootbag and kneepads. We are hopeful of getting the above goods transported to Zambia shortly.
In the meantime, Jonathon Mwape, a coordinator of CHEP, sent us some photographs for QPR fans to see the region, and some of the people, to which their generous donations will be going. They show a netball game in progress, penalty action from a football game, another football game in progress and a photograph of Jonathon himself in the process of teaching.
We hope you enjoy seeing these photos and hope that everyone who donated so generously appreciates the thanks and gratitude of the organisers of such a worthy cause.
Appeal update 20th October 2001
Following the recent appeal for help with the transportation of the kit donations for the youngsters in Zambia, we are pleased to inform everyone that the goods were dispatched a few days ago and once we receive photographs of some of the children wearing the kits we will publish them here.
We would like to say a big thank you to Chris Leach for all his kind generosity and help as regards the transportation of the goods to Zambia. Chris is a QPR fan and is also the stepbrother of the late, and much missed Mick Leach. Chris, whose business is an air charter company, very kindly paid for the consignment of goods to be flown to Zambia and also put us in touch with an air freight company known to him through his business, which is local to the Heathrow area, for the transportation. Huge thanks also to everyone connected at ACS and Chiltern Air Freight for their help with this matter.
Further updates will appear on here, and also in the QPR matchday programmes, but in the meantime please see below a truly wonderful letter of appreciation we received from Jonathon Mwape, one of the CHEP coordinators.
—————————————
Tracy,
Hello, great news, how is every one that side?
I am extremely happy with the contributions, collection of equipments and finally the transportation of the goods. It is a good wonderful time to work with you Tracy. And the entire team that you are working with namely Davie T, Dermott, Christopher leach, your husband Leon for all the support he has given you, and just to ensure that this programme successes I am sincerely thanking you guys for the effort you have put in as from the time we started to date. I also believe that the second collection would be very overwhelming.
This shouldn’t be the end but the beginning of our long journey. I also visited your website to see the messages and the photos, that was lovely Tracy, I will send some more snaps for your information and documentation. Would you also like a draft copy of the games for life manual for your info??
To all the QPR fans and every one who contributed any thing to the vulnerable children and young people through the “GAMES FOR LIFE” programme. I am sincerely thanking you all for the contributions and efforts made towards the success of the program I am further asurering you that your contribution will go a long way in reducing the factors of vulnerabity of children and young people here in Zambia.
Once again thanks very much and keep up with the good work!!!!
Jonathan
Games for life coordinator.