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After years of planning, meetings and hard work behind the scenes, we are incredibly excited to launch Kit 4 Kenya - The Experience.
This unique programme gives young people aged 18–23 the opportunity to be part of the full journey, from packing donated football kits in the UK to travelling to Kenya and delivering them directly to underprivileged kids in slum football teams. This is more than just a trip; it’s an unforgettable experience designed to create lifelong memories and show the true power of the beautiful game.
Tom Sweetnam
Founder - Kit 4 Kenya
At just 17 years old, while studying at Radley College, Tom had a simple idea: collect a few pairs of unwanted football boots from his friends and send them to young players in Kenya who were playing barefoot.
What started as a small initiative, is now a registered charity that has successfully delivered more than £1million worth of football kit to kids in the most deprived parts of Kenya.
Over the last 9 years, Kit 4 Kenya has built partnerships with eight major football organisations, including the England FA and Arsenal, helping deliver tens of thousands of football kit to underprivileged communities across Kenya.
Our mission is simple, to give every child in Kenya's slum communities a football kit and to help one of those talents reach the Premier League one day.
Alongside running Kit 4 Kenya, Tom works at Red Bull Racing in the marketing department, helping deliver global campaigns, events and partnerships around the world.
Since 2024, Tom has been developing Kit 4 Kenya - The Experience, creating a programme that gives gap year students the unique opportunity to see the charity's impact first hand, work alongside local communities and experience Kenya through the shared language of football.
He is excited to welcome the first group of participants in early 2027.
Annabelle & Simon Dugdale
Founders - Africa Gap
Annabelle and Simon are the founders of Africa Gap and will be on the ground in Kenya for the duration of the trip.
Annabelle has lived in the African bush running safaris in Kenya for 24 years. She has hosted safaris and run lodges since the age of 22 and feels incredibly lucky to have lived in Africa’s beautiful wilderness areas. She loves sharing her passion for the wilderness, people and wildlife of this
amazing country with those ready to explore!
Simon, has a background in security and logistics. He has worked in wildlife conservation, security and for the United Nations in East Africa for the last 25 years.
DETAILS
Duration: Pre trip activities in UK + 4 weeks in Kenya
Dates: 7 Jan - 5 Feb 2027
Availability: Limited to 12 participants per trip
Requirements: Open to all applicants aged 18-23
Application Process & Cost: Please enquire Here or via email
This course is designed for gap year students with a genuine passion for football who want to combine meaningful impact with a structured, unforgettable experience in Kenya.
Participants will be actively involved in coaching and supporting our established football initiatives, including distributing donated kit to local communities, while experiencing a carefully curated itinerary that showcases the very best of Kenya’s culture, landscape, and adventure.
The programme provides accredited England Football coaching qualifications (including a First Aid and Safeguarding certification), which participants will put into practice during their time in Kenya.
Delivered in partnership with Africa Gap (20+ years’ experience running trips), the programme is built around safety, structure, and support, with all accommodation and logistics professionally managed throughout. Our trip is not a holiday, but a purposeful experience designed to build confidence, leadership and independence, through meaningful work in communities across Kenya.
In Collaboration with:
England FA
An 11-hour online football coaching qualification delivered over 4 weeks by The Football Association, covering core coaching fundamentals through modules, expert webinars and a short assessment. Topics include session design, player development, safeguarding and first aid, providing the foundation for coaching underprivileged children in Kenya and leading sessions with confidence.
Classic Football Shirts
Each participant will receive a voucher from Classic Football Shirts to choose their own football shirt ahead of the trip. Their chosen shirt will become their official ‘trip kit’, representing their team in Kenya. Vouchers can be redeemed online or at the iconic London store for the full experience.
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Africa Gap
We have partnered with Africa Gap, who bring over 20 years’ experience delivering programmes in Kenya alongside a strong background in safety and operational management. This partnership ensures a bespoke experience for our participants, allowing them to experience the very best of Kenya while maintaining the highest standards of safety and support throughout.
Football Without Borders Kenya
Football without Borders is one of the first teams Kit 4 Kenya supported back in 2017. Participants will put their football coaching qualification into practice by spending the week coaching children in the FWB programme, the recipients of Kit 4 Kenya kit donations over the years. The week builds towards a final tournament match, testing your leadership, teamwork and managerial skills.
Alive and Kicking
We've partnered with local Kenyan charity Alive & Kicking to give participants a hands on football making experience. Tour the workshop, design and hand stitch a leather football, and visit a facility that has welcomed Barack Obama.
ENQUIRE NOW
