About Us
At Addo Football Youth Academy (AFYA), we believe in the power of sport and education to transform lives. Founded in 2014 in Nomathamsanqa (Addo), a community neighboring the world-famous Addo Elephant National Park, AFYA was created to uplift young people facing poverty, drug and alcohol abuse, teenage pregnancy, and unemployment.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide a structured, educational, and extracurricular support system for the youth of Nomathamsanqa.
By integrating academic assistance, sports engagement, and life skills development, we aim to remove children from high-risk environments and place them on a trajectory toward success.
Through measurable impact assessments, we ensure that our programs deliver tangible improvements in education, personal growth, and future employability.
Our Vision
Our vision is to create a safe, supportive, and enriching environment where every child has the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a sustainable future.
We aim to reduce the number of unsupervised children on the streets by offering structured programs that foster academic achievement, social responsibility, and career readiness.
Through quantifiable progress tracking, we seek to demonstrate our impact to funders, ensuring long-term investment in the development of our youth and community.
Overview
We are more than just a football academy—we are a stepping stone to a brighter future.
By combining football, academic support, and career development, we provide children and young adults with the tools they need to succeed in life.
Through our Football Fairplay program, we offer a safe and structured environment where young players not only develop their skills on the field but also learn discipline, teamwork, and resilience—qualities that shape them far beyond the game.
Our Extra Time program focuses on academic excellence, providing tutoring in English and Math, as well as homework assistance. Education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty, and we are committed to ensuring our students stay in school and achieve their full potential.
For those preparing for life beyond school, Inspiring Futures bridges the gap between education and employment. We equip young people with essential career skills, mentorship, and opportunities to step confidently into the workforce, giving them the foundation for financial independence and a successful future.
Despite being surrounded by two thriving industries—citrus farming and tourism—many of our youth remain unemployed and trapped in cycles of poverty.
Limited access to quality education, career opportunities, and skills development prevents them from benefiting from the economic potential of their surroundings.
This is what we aim to change!
