In November 2019, professional athlete Kevin Mafabi returned to his hometown of Buyobo, Uganda, with a clear mission: to share the transformative power of table tennis with the local youth. For Kevin, the sport was more than just a game; it was the tool that granted him the opportunity to attend university on scholarship and represent the Uganda National Team on the world stage.

Having grown up in this same remote village, Kevin knew through his own experience that table tennis could be a key to unlocking a brighter future for the next generation. The next step of the journey was to find the resources to do just that. 

In the same village of Buyobo, Women’s Microfinance Initiative (WMI) has been operating its headquarters since 2008. WMI provides capital, training and support services to rural women in East Africa so that they can start their own businesses and use the profits to improve themselves, their families, and communities. WMI embraces a multi-faceted approach to eradicating poverty, including intentional support of community-based programs. When Kevin presented WMI with a strategy to bring table tennis to the traditionally underserved youth in Buyobo, WMI was eager to have a hand in the magic. The Buyobo Table Tennis Club was born.

What began in 2020 as a seasonal program during school holidays has evolved into a year-round academy. Players meet after school, on weekends, and during school holidays to practice and are presented with opportunities to participate in country-wide and regional tournaments. Utilizing WMI’s headquarters as a training hub, the club provides dozens of boys and girls with more than just physical fitness; it fosters discipline, mental resilience, and the chance to earn life-changing secondary school scholarships.