Volleyball’s Gift to Lasso primary school in Tanzania

Royal Wootton Bassett Volleyball Club junior players Hannah and Millie Cuthbert embarked on an inspiring journey in June, organising for a collection of pre-loved volleyball kits and equipment to be donated to a school in Tanzania as part of their overseas summer project.

The sisters' initiative led to a significant contribution from the South West Volleyball Association (SWVA), who donated kits and equipment to Lasso Primary School, a rural school in Tanzania.

The donation included four complete sets of  junior kit - 50 team shirts and 50 pairs of shorts - along with spare equipment and a brand-new outdoor net funded by pre-trip fundraising efforts.

Spending three weeks in Tanzania as part of a True Adventure project, the Cuthbert sisters dedicated their time to supporting the school and its surrounding community.

With volleyball gaining popularity in Tanzania, even reaching the most rural communities, Hannah and Millie arrived with plans to teach the sport to young students, intending to share the teamwork and exhilaration that volleyball fosters.

However, upon discovering the community’s challenges - particularly the lack of accessible, clean water - the sisters and their group adjusted their priorities, instead focusing on addressing a more urgent need: securing a reliable water source.

Working alongside the charity Better Lives, the Cuthberts and their team took on the vital project of building a water pipeline to serve Lasso Primary School.

This initiative aimed to reduce the hours children spent gathering water each day, allowing them to focus more on their studies and, importantly, on enjoying sports like volleyball.

Though time for volleyball coaching was limited due to the busy schedule, the sisters made sure to set aside a moment to present South West Volleyball’s donation to the school. 

The gift exchange ceremony at the end of their stay was a heartfelt occasion, met with great appreciation from both students and teachers.

The sisters’ efforts have laid the groundwork for future opportunities, not just in sports but in broader aspects of community development.

Volleyball England commends the exceptional dedication demonstrated by Hannah and Millie Cuthbert, along with the generous support by South West Volleyball.

Their combined efforts have significantly impacted the lives of these Tanzanian children and have contributed to the broader growth of volleyball as an inclusive sport for all.