Charity partnership with Balamu Community Outreach Program (BACOP)

arete Australia are proud to support the Balamu Community Outreach Program (BACOP), a community-led organisation creating opportunities for vulnerable children and young people in Uganda through education, sport, mentorship and personal development.

This partnership reflects Kane Constructions and arete Australia’s commitment to supporting communities beyond the projects we deliver.

BACOP works directly with children and young people who face significant barriers to education, opportunity and participation. By combining football with education, mentorship and leadership development, the program creates a practical pathway for young people to build confidence, develop skills and pursue opportunities that may otherwise be out of reach.

For Kane and arete, supporting BACOP is about contributing to lasting outcomes. Our support helps provide young people with access to sport, education and positive role models, while encouraging teamwork, discipline, leadership and a stronger sense of belonging.

Importantly, the program also creates greater opportunities for young girls to participate in sport and education, helping build confidence, independence and leadership skills within their communities.

It is a partnership built around a shared belief that access to opportunity can have a lasting impact, not only for an individual child, but for their family and wider community.

BACOP uses football as a platform to engage young people while providing education support, mentoring, leadership development and practical life skills.

The program works with children and families from communities surrounding the Mehta sugar plantations, where poverty, limited access to education and child labour continue to create significant barriers for young people.

Through regular football training and structured development programs, BACOP helps participants build confidence, discipline, teamwork and leadership skills while encouraging continued participation in education.

Today, BACOP's academy supports 60 children across its Under-15 boys, Under-13 girls and Under-10 mixed teams, with approximately 40 boys and girls also receiving support for their primary and secondary education.

BACOP's program is centred around four key areas:

Learning Using football to develop practical life skills including decision-making, emotional regulation, discipline and goal-setting.

Leadership Building confidence, responsibility and the ability to positively influence others.

Community Coaching Teaching young people how to plan and deliver inclusive sporting activities while developing skills in safeguarding, participation and coaching.

Social Impact and Project Management Providing practical experience in identifying community needs, budgeting, stakeholder engagement and developing initiatives that can make a measurable difference.

These skills create pathways well beyond football, helping participants become more confident students, community members, coaches, professionals and future leaders.

To learn more about the Balamu Community Outreach Program, the Balamu Football Academy or opportunities to support the program, visit bacop.org.