Marvelous Nakamba Foundation funds education for 1000 underprivileged children in Zimbabwe | OneFootball

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·14 April 2021

Marvelous Nakamba Foundation funds education for 1000 underprivileged children in Zimbabwe

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Marvelous Nakamba’s foundation has funded the education of 1000 underprivileged school children in Zimbabwe.

Words: Georgia Homer | @georlh


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Marvelous Nakamba has repeatedly proven his professionalism to Aston Villa fans on the pitch this season, slotting into a changeable side whenever needed. What is less publicised is Nakamba’s off-field personality, a charitable character exemplified by the recent achievement to fund 1,000 school fees through his organisation, the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation.

In a press release that can be found on the charity’s Twitter page, Nakamba stated his intentions of helping both students and parents or guardians “who have been struggling to raise school fees”. The students were selected through recommendations by school staff, with a focus on the underprivileged. The player closed his statement with the expressed desire to grow the organisation and aid the education of more pupils, when funds allow.

Having been founded in 2019, this story is perhaps the charity’s most well documented achievement – but the focus on marginalised schools has also inspired projects such as the provision of PPE and menstrual products, as well as a feeding programme to ensure children’s learning is not detrimented by hunger.

What makes this story particularly special is Nakamba’s own upbringing, which has presumably contributed to his goal to “free as many children as possible from the vices of poverty”.

In an interview with Ashley Preece last year, Nakamba described how his mother worked hundreds of miles away from him in South Africa in order to fund her family, including his first pair of football boots. He admitted to a difficult start to life, but sport provided an outlet – “it made me enjoy life”. As a result, Nakamba’s foundation provides what it describes as a ‘holistic’ focus on each child, improving access to education, sport, and other extracurricular opportunities.

With a relatively new Twitter account (@Nakamba_MNF), it is likely that the charity’s future endeavours will be easier to follow. MNF’s values promise even more incredible gestures that deserve our attention and support.

You can donate to the Marvelous Nakamba Foundation here.

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