Elderly Women Kick for Education and Change: Football is More Than a Game at The Sara Cup Annual Fundraiser

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By Melisa Mong’ina 

Nairobi, Kenya: At the heart of St. Mary’s School grounds in Westlands, Nairobi, the whistle sound pierces the air as a group of young and old players chase after the ball, their laughter and determination echoing across the field. 

Beyond the friendly match lies a greater course. This is the fifth edition of Sara Cup, an annual tournament with a purpose far greater than goals scored. The initiative aims to support marginalised children who due to their academic performances, society labels them as “not bright.” It gives them a chance for education and a brighter future. 

What began as a volunteer-driven initiative under the Zizi Afrique Foundation has now grown into a lifeline for over a hundred scholars across 20 counties. From raising school fees to providing mentorship, Tenda Wema – Sara Cup has become a celebration of sport, community, and generosity, a proof that when Kenyans come together, they can rewrite the story of a child’s life.

Sylvia’s Journey with Tenda Wema – Sara Cup

When Sylvia Mutama looks back at her life, she smiles with quiet gratitude. Every challenge she faced from unpaid school fees to hopeless nights, now feels like part of a divine plan. “Every time I think about my life, I see God’s plan. My educational journey has been very easy because of Tenda Wema’s support,” she says with a smile on her face.

Before Tenda Wema, Sylvia got support from an Indian scholarship which didn’t last long due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Her educational life changed abruptly, leaving her depressed and unsure of how her family could manage her school fees.

“After COVID, things got difficult. The Indian scholarship was no more. I was constantly being sent home from school for lack of fees. I had no peace of mind, it was just stress all the time because my family couldn’t afford to pay,” recalls Sylvia.

At one point, she was humiliated by her school principal for being unable to pay fees. The situation became so unbearable that her sister considered selling a kidney to raise the money needed to clear the fees and protect Sylvia from further embarrassment.

“I was once sent out of class and denied exams. The principal told me that the school doesn’t belong to my parents, so I must pay fees since they are teachers, not caretakers. At that time, I was living with my sister, who was also struggling. It got so bad that she even advertised her kidney for sale at Kenyatta National Hospital so that she could pay my school fees and protect me from humiliation,” she remembers.

But that never took place because a miracle came through. Tenda Wema – Sara Cup stepped in to help. Sylvia didn’t know who was paying her fees at the time. She recalls trying to reach out in appreciation but her supporters remained anonymous. It was only after receiving her KCSE results that she discovered that Sara Ruto was behind all her support all along.

“But God sent Tenda Wema. Through them, my story changed. I would say ‘thank you,’ but they wouldn’t respond. Still, they kept paying my fees,” she says laughing softly. “Finally, they called me, I was so eager to know who they were. They informed me that Sara Ruto, through Tenda Wema, had been supporting my education and they would continue doing so.” 

Before joining university, Tenda Wema invited Sylvia for two weeks of mentorship at their offices. The team guided her, helped her choose the right course, and made her feel at home. Sylvia now sees Tenda Wema as her family.

“I came from a small school in Kajiado. I didn’t know anything about computers. I was even scared to touch them. During those two weeks, they gave me exposure and guidance. They helped me choose the right course and taught me how to plan my future. Today, I see myself as their child. Tenda Wema and Sara Cup are my family. When I see them, I see my parents and siblings,” she says emotionally.

Sylvia later joined Multimedia University, pursuing her dream course. With Tenda Wema’s support, she stayed focused and confident. Now awaiting graduation, she’s proud to be the first in her family to reach this milestone.

“They have continued to walk with me. May God bless everyone who works in that organization. I’ve finished my studies and will graduate at the end of this month. I know the Tenda Wema team will be there, they have to see me succeed,” says Sylvia happily.

Her hope is to give back to the community that lifted her up and support her family. As the first to reach such a great milestone, she believes that her siblings will also succeed both in life and education.

“After graduation, I want to give back. I believe God will give them strength and resources so that I can support others like me and make Tenda Wema even better. I also want to support my family. I’m the seventh born in a family of eleven. I want to change  home and make sure my younger siblings also succeed,” she states.

Sylvia advises other young people facing similar challenges not to give up and to always remain disciplined with or without support.

“God has a plan for everyone. Opportunities always come to those who are prepared. Prepare yourself, pray, and when God opens a door, make sure you have discipline. That is what will keep you where He has placed you,” urges Sylvia.

Sylvia’s story is one of resilience, faith, and hope. It represents the journeys of countless young Kenyans whose lives have been touched by Initiatives like Tenda Wema that believe in second chances. Through them, she not only found education but also dignity, purpose, and belonging. “God truly finishes what He begins. I am proud to be a Tenda Wema champion,” she says, her voice filled with gratitude.

Empowering Through Sports and Generosity — The Grannies Football Match

Dr. Winfrida Cheriro, the patron of two grannies football teams (Kapsor and Kapkoros) from Nandi County, explains that Tenda Wema provides assistance to children with average performances who face financial hardship.

“The initiative aims to raise funds for needy children. Not necessarily the brightest, because most scholarships usually support top performers,” she notes.

From her village, two children are already beneficiaries of Tenda Wema’s support. This inspired the teams to participate in the Sara Cup. 

“We have two children who are currently being supported by the initiative, so we saw it fit for us to also participate in the Sara Cup because the funds raised today will go to the scholarships for the needy children,” Winfrida adds.

She describes the event as a joyful gathering where people of all ages come together to play, socialize, and celebrate.

“This is a good day for different teams. We have children, youth, and now grannies. It’s really fun participating in this friendly match. Some of these grannies are visiting Nairobi for the first time, so it’s an exciting day,” she says.

Winfrida explains that many of the grannies balance football with other personal occupations and despite their busy lives, they dedicate time to training, maintaining discipline and teamwork. 

“We have different teams all over the country. There are quite a number of teams in Baringo, and in Nairobi. These are registered teams. From the villages, we bring them together and make them aware that they can be part of a football team for women above 50. Many have other personal jobs at home but still come to the field every afternoon, about three days a week,” explains Winfrida.

The Heart Behind Tenda Wema – Sara Cup

For Dr. Sara Ruto, the woman behind the initiative, the Tenda Wema – Sara Cup is a living example of a deeply rooted Swahili proverb which says, “Tenda wema nenda zako.” She explains that the event unites people through fun and generosity, aiming to encourage the spirit of giving.

This year’s goal is to raise Ksh 10 million. Members contribute small but consistent amounts from as little as Ksh 200 or Ksh 500 per month, showing that everyone can give and make a difference.

“Sara Cup is the annual fundraiser for the Tenda Wema Initiative. It is not only about coming together and having fun, but also about instilling a spirit of giving,” she explains. “This year, our intention is to raise 10 million. We started raising 500,000 and it has been growing. Many members contribute from their salaries, some give 500 shillings per month, others 200 shillings, because everyone is a giver and everyone can do something.”

Unlike most scholarship programs that only focus on the top performing students, the Tenda Wema Initiative supports the forgotten children who may not be academically outstanding but are in need.

“We asked ourselves, what about those who do not meet the mark that society has set for them to be considered bright? They too deserve a chance, and that’s why Tenda Wema is here to support them in whichever area they need help,” she emphasizes.

She notes that the event has rapidly grown attracting diverse teams, from small football teams, grandmothers’ teams, to professional organisations teams. 

“Today we’ve had under-9, under-11, and under-15 teams, and even chess games. These grannies are women aged 50 and above and they have also defeated some Nairobi teams! Maybe it’s also a call for Nairobians who feel too busy to now get active,” Sara says, laughing proudly.

Looking ahead, Sara envisions a future where “little Tenda Wemas” sprout across different regions, not as a single organization. She hopes counties like Murang’a and Kapsabet will host their own editions, spreading the spirit of giving even further.

“It’s not about one organization hosting everything,” she explains. “It’s about creating many small groups of givers. We can’t always wait for someone else to help, we have the ability within us to be the change we want.”

Through initiatives like Tenda Wema, it is clear that every child, regardless of their performance or circumstances, deserves a fair chance at education and the support needed to reach their goals and aspirations.