Hockey in Zimbabwe @ Waruka Academy

My name is Camryn Litjens. In 2017, I travelled to India and worked with a Zimbabwean athlete, Arthanas Mantongo.

Arthanas witnessed his sisters (aged 12 to 16) being sold as child-brides. With his passion for change and sports experience on the international level, he decided to set up an NGO that aims to stop the cycle of child-brides, child prostitution and sexual abuse in Zimbabwe. I helped and watched Arthanas transform his passion into a concrete plan to create the "Waruka Trust Academy".   

One division of Waruka Trust Academy will provide therapy through sports and arts to girls who have faced sexual trauma. These 8-18-year-old girls will learn how to empower themselves and stand up against sexual abuse. I will be travelling to Zimbabwe in May 2019 to start the field hockey program at Waruka Academy. 

The money I collect through Go Fund Me will be used to buy sports equipment (sticks, shoes, kits, mouth guards etc.) for these young Zimbabwean women. I would also be grateful for donations of gently used field hockey equipment.   

Any funds collected over and above the cost of equipment will be used towards building safe-houses for girls that no longer have an option of returning home due to sexual violence or abuse. 

Thank you for any support!