Football
Project Proposal: Construction of a Football Stitching Hall
Ambassadors Group Rwanda Ltd (AGR)
Requested Amount: $50,000
1. Background – How It All Began
One day, Ambassadors Football Rwanda received a gift of footballs from the USA. The children were full of joy and excitement as they played, but to everyone’s shock, the balls began bursting one after another right in front of them. What began in laughter and joy ended in disappointment, as the kids stood in silence, watching their game come to an unexpected stop.
That same evening, I, Jean Paul Seneza, CEO of Ambassadors Group Rwanda Ltd (AGR), shared this experience with David Kehler, CEO of Bridges Beyond International. I told him how difficult it was to depend on imported balls that wear out quickly, especially for our football discipleship programs with local churches.
David looked at me and said, “Why not make the balls here in Rwanda?”
I immediately replied, “That’s not possible!”
He smiled and invited me to join him at a trade exhibition taking place in Kigali. There, we met a local shoemaker who had learned in Kenya how to make footballs by hand, and he had his own booth displaying balls made in Rwanda. That moment felt like a miracle. It opened our eyes to see that it was indeed possible to produce footballs locally.
We exchanged contacts, and shortly afterward, with seed funding from Bridges Beyond International, we organized the first training program and purchased a cutting machine. That humble beginning was the birth of what has now become a growing local industry with lasting community impact.
2. Project Growth and Impact
From that first group of 10 trained stitchers, the vision has multiplied.
Today:
- The original 10 have trained an additional 24 stitchers, bringing the total to 34.
- Together, they produce about 680 footballs per month, supplying local programs and the Rwandan market.
- The initiative has created meaningful employment for 34 individuals, improving their families’ livelihoods.
- Locally produced footballs are now recognized for their quality, durability, and affordability.
What began as a small experiment has grown into a movement that empowers people, supports football ministry, and contributes to Rwanda’s economic growth.
3. Current Challenge
Our biggest challenge now is space.
The stitching team currently works in a small rented room, which is overcrowded and not suitable for a growing workforce. During rainy days or under intense sunlight, production is often interrupted. The working conditions limit both productivity and the opportunity to train more people.
4. Project Goal
We aim to build a dedicated stitching hall, a safe, spacious, and well-ventilated facility that allows continuous year-round work and future growth.
5. Funding Request
To achieve this, Ambassadors Group Rwanda Ltd seeks $50,000 (USD) to:
• Construct a new stitching hall accommodating all 34 current staff,
• Provide proper lighting, ventilation, and storage space,
• Enable training sessions for new stitchers,
• Improve quality control and production capacity.
This facility will ensure stable working conditions, greater output, and long-term sustainability.
6. Acknowledgment
We express our heartfelt gratitude to Bridges Beyond International for believing in this vision from the beginning, providing the seed funding, encouragement, and continuous partnership that made this journey possible.
What began with bursting balls and disappointed children has now become a story of hope, innovation, and empowerment. Together, we can take the next step, building a permanent stitching hall that will impact more lives and ensure that the Disciples of Jesus Christ are made through football throughout Rwanda and Beyond
