Dumfries Saints live up to their name with Tanzania kit donation

Throughout their history, the club has been integral to the local community. Today they boast over 500 members – most who are under the age of 18 – and partner with local schools, promoting team sport, and encouraging the health and wellbeing of youngsters in the area.

The club also initiated a fund for anyone joining the club to assist with the cost of kit or membership. It means one less hurdle for a member, ensuring they have the same opportunity to play and enjoy rugby.

On the same tack, changes in teams and sponsors from season to season meant that some kit had become obsolete, so the club gathered the old kit and devised a plan to extend its club ethos to include overseas projects, which would benefit from the surplus.

Contact was made with former local Jennie Camm, who now lives in Arusha, Tanzania and has a connection with a local primary school. Shortly thereafter, the club’s involvement with the Albatros Kilimatembo School Project began.

Kilimatembo School accommodates 405 children with 13 teachers. The Albatros school project began in February, 2015, with the aim of making Kilimatembo School brighter, child-friendly and healthier.

The Albatros projects improve schools by renovating and constructing new classrooms and computer rooms, and improves school sanitation by providing safe water sources such as water reserve tank installation.

This was where Dumfries Saints was able to help. Worldwide, giving children the opportunity to participate in sport, allows them to learn important lessons in working as a team, anger management and prioritising a healthy lifestyle.

Recently, the Saints youth shirts were washed, packed in a large suitcase and shipped off to Tanzania for use by the children. Photos returned to the club showed the kit had landed and the beaming smiles of the schoolkids.