My name is Yusuph Kalenga, and I am the founder of Uhuru Academy — a place where sport, education, and hope come together. Our academy is based in Calgary, Canada, yet its spirit and inspiration come from Tanzania, the land that shaped my earliest dreams.

My family fled the Rwandan genocide in 1994 and found refuge in Tanzania, where I was born and spent seven to eight years in a refugee camp. Life there was difficult but full of lessons. Surrounded by struggle, I also saw courage, community, and faith. In that camp, I learned that even in the darkest corners, light can still rise from determination and love. Growing up, I witnessed how many children — especially girls — were denied opportunities to learn, play, or dream beyond the limits of their environment. Those memories became the fire that drives me today: to create spaces where every young person, regardless of background, can grow with confidence and purpose.

When I came to Canada, I carried that dream across the ocean. Out of that vision, Uhuru Academy was born. “Uhuru,” which means freedom, represents what I want every player to experience — freedom from limitation, from fear, and from the belief that their circumstances define their future. Our academy coaches youth and adult players of all ages, helping them develop not just technical skills, but also leadership, discipline, and character. At Uhuru, soccer is more than a sport. It is a universal language — one that speaks of teamwork, self-belief, and unity.

Partnering with TEMBO feels like a divine step toward that goal. TEMBO’s mission to support women and girls in Tanzania aligns beautifully with the heart of Uhuru Academy. Together, we can build bridges of opportunity and create lasting change — one child, one woman, one soul at a time. It is an honor to walk beside TEMBO on this journey. With faith, compassion, and courage, I believe we can help transform lives and inspire freedom through hope, education, and love.