Universal Lighthouse
Universal Lighthouse
The origin of Universal Lighthouse e. V. lies in the close partnership with the GOOD HOPE SOCCER ACADEMY in Kisauni, one of the poorest neighbourhoods of Mombasa, Kenya. Our aim is to support and protect children, young people and their families who live in extremely difficult conditions.
The mission of the GOOD HOPE SOCCER ACADEMY
Shem Lumumba, founder of the Good Hope Soccer Academy, together with five other coaches, looks after around 180 children and young people - including a 45-strong girls` team - who all come from the poorest backgrounds. Shem set up this academy 20 years ago without any support from the state or organisations, solely through his vision and belief in the next generation. His tireless efforts are designed to prevent these young people from slipping into drugs, gangs and hopelessness.
In addition to training, Shem always has the well-being of the players and their families in heart. In the most difficult times, such as illness or death, he stands by them. Universal Lighthouse supports the academy financially to provide weekly food distributions for families in need, as well as covering the costs of league participation, training equipment and the hire of a secure training pitch at the Kahdija School. In addition, we pay the school fees of numerous players, and permanent sponsorships have been organised for seven families in acute need.
Sporting success and social impact
The close coaching collaboration with the Renowned International Mental Coach and Original Founder Bernard Payet and the local coaches has made a decisive contribution to the academy`s success. Strong, competitive teams have emerged from the GOOD HOPE SOCCER ACADEMY. The biggest successes include winning the Mombasa Premier League in 2022 and promotion to Division 2 of the Kenya Football Federation in 2024.
The close cooperation with the "Kahdija School", which has employed some of the academy`s coaches as sports instructors, has also made it possible to award scholarships to talented players. Thanks to this initiative, many young people from Kisauni now have access to education, while the crime rate in the region has fallen significantly.
Thanks to the tireless work of Shem Lumumba and his team, football in Kisauni is becoming more than just a sport - it is becoming an opportunity for a better life. The GOOD HOPE SOCCER ACADEMY impressively demonstrates that a belief in the next generation and the promotion of talent can achieve not only sporting success but also sustainable social improvements.
Kidogo means "small" and Basi means "something" - the name of the FC "Little Something" epitomises the humility and dedication with which Coach Collins supports his players. These players come from the streets of Kisauni, a neighbourhood in Mombasa where life is characterised by poverty and hopelessness. But on a makeshift pitch on the edge of a rubbish dump, cleared of debris and rubbish, something great is being created.
A team full of hope and cohesion
Coach Collins not only trains an adult team here, but also a youth and girls` team - around 180 players in total. Despite the difficult conditions, Collins has managed to give his players hope and structure. The goalkeeper of Kidogo Basi FC made the leap to the Mombasa Premier League thanks to his talent after being discovered by Shem Lumumba, the coach of the Good Hope Soccer Academy.
Collins also looks after children aged 5 to 12 in his small backyard. For many of these children, football is the only thing that offers them a long-term perspective and the opportunity for continuous development - both as a team and as individuals. For them, Coach Collins is not just a coach, but a father figure.
Success despite adverse circumstances
Universal Lighthouse has been working with Kidogo Basi FC for a year now, and the collaboration is already bearing fruit. In 2024, the club has already reached five finals, including the ABUNDD Super Cup, the RAMADHAN Super Cup and the CITAM Cup. With three wins and two runner-up finishes, these successes reflect the ambition and hunger for change that drives these young people.
Community and team spirit at the centre
For the players of Kidogo Basi FC, football is much more than just a sport. As with the Good Hope Soccer Academy, the team takes centre stage. Weaker players are supported by the stronger ones, and the stronger ones support the weaker ones. This team spirit creates a community in which every individual counts and fights together for a better future.
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