CRICKET BUILDS HOPE'S FIRST INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER

Sebastian Grace, 17, has just arrived in Rwanda to volunteer with Cricket Builds Hope. He has blogged about what inspired him to make the trip, his fundraising plans and Rwanda's first international cricket tournament...

I first found out about Cricket Builds Hope eight months ago when I saw an article in the Telegraph about the opening of the Gahanga Cricket Stadium.

I knew a bit about Rwanda and the terrible events of 1994 (although it was before I was born) and the charity's aim of reconciliation through sport inspired me to find out more about it. I am also from a cricket mad family of four boys, who all play representative cricket, with a dad who is a cricket fanatic. So the idea of using cricket for social change in Rwanda immediately appealed, and I got in touch to see how I could get involved.

I’ve now arrived in Kigali in time for the ICC T20 World Cup Africa qualifiers - the first international cricket tournament ever hosted in Rwanda, at the new Gahanga Cricket Stadium. During my time here I will be coaching, playing, developing the social media channels to raise further awareness of the charity, working in outreach programmes and seeking new sponsors and donors. More than anything I want to make a difference to the players and communities I look forward to getting to know, and continue the charity’s work of enacting positive social change in Rwanda.

Before I set out on my adventure as Cricket Builds Hope’s first ever international volunteer, I set out to raise £6,000 for the charity using Just Giving.  I am currently over 80% of my way there! All donations will go directly to Cricket Builds Hope. If you would like to find out more about how I hope to help, or to donate or leave a message of support, please go to the following link

https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/sebastiangracec-b-hrwanda

 Sebastian’s trip is generously supported by Milichamp and Hall, a company founded in 1987, based in Taunton, Somerset, who make only the highest quality gear used by cricket professionals around the world.