two worcestershire staff members are swapping New Road for kenya later this month when working as volunteers for the ‘cricket without boundaries’ charity.
worcestershire ccc marketing manager, joe tromans, and worcestershire cricket wicketz development officer, harry kitchen, will be flying out to africa for the best part of two weeks on february 12.
the duo, who both play for halesowen cricket club, will be spreading the word in terms of the game of cricket via a series of coaching sessions in nairobi and more rural areas.
but equally as important for joe and harry will be raising awareness of hiv and aids amongst the various communities they will be visiting.
the pair have raised £750 each which they are donating to the ‘cricket without boundaries’ charity to make use of in funding their numerous worthwhile projects.
bromsgrove born joe, 31, a wicket-keeper batsman, said: “this is something i’ve personally wanted to do for a few years but work-wise have never had the opportunity to fit it in until now.
“i’ve taken a lot out of the game of cricket. i’ve played since i was six or seven and it was in my family as well. it is a good opportunity to put something back.
“we will be in nairobi but also travelling to more rural areas, into schools and orphanages and engaging with people, using cricket as a mechanism to a) coach the kids and b) get them involved in the game.
“we will also be reaching out to people in in terms of hiv, aids awareness, aids testing, precautionary messages to take etc.
“the challenge is to raise money which will all go to the charity.
“we’ve done that through sponsorship and events at our local cricket club (halesowen) and all the costs including in the trip, we’ve covered ourselves.”
harry, a left arm spinner, said: “i’ve had a few friends work with the charity before so i’d heard about it. cricket without boundaries go to a lot of poorer countries, trying to raise awareness of hiv and aids and some other serious conditions.
“i’ve always wanted to do it. with the job i do, i’m working with deprived young people around birmingham and worcestershire so it is a chance to develop that further again in another country.
“going to the orphanages will be very moving, especially with having a young child myself.”
cricket without boundaries works with partners around the world to grow the game of cricket, while using the sport as a platform for health education and social change.
it is run almost entirely by the dedication and enthusiasm of its volunteers. founded in 2005, it is one of the world’s leading cricket development charities.
cricket without boundaries currently works in four sub-saharan african countries – kenya, cameroon, ruanda and uganda – and has more recently begun project work in jordan and the uk.
cwb deliver cricket development alongside health and social messages. they work on the principle that sport – particularly cricket – is inclusive and accessible for all.
they work in partnership with local delivery partners: cricket associations, foundations and sport for development organisations, so the work fits alongside and supports existing sports structures, growing the game and ensuring sustainability.
