Austin and Bulo learned to play tennis on the one tennis court in their hometown of Mzuzu, Malawi. The court is cracked, short, and unfenced: Players have to return moderately deep shots from the grass, and friends are posted nearby to chase down balls that get away. But Austin, Bulo, and some 50 other kids who are part of "Play Malawi," a local youth development group in Mzuzu, bring as much enthusiasm and energy to the game of tennis as you'll see anywhere on the planet.

As a volunteer tennis coach for "Play Malawi" in October, I saw the dedication of the organization's six part-time staff and how much the kids, mostly from a very impoverished neighborhood of Mzuzu, benefited from the program. Youngsters like Austin and Bulo dream of playing in international tournaments, and with a little support, they certainly will.

This fundraiser is to help "Play Malawi" build a new, fenced tennis court. Any additional funds will go toward hosting tournaments, purchasing strings and balls (used until there's nothing left but the gray rubber), and paying staff stipends that range from roughly $35 to $70 a month.

Thanks in advance for any support you can provide!