Magic in Zambia

The small gift of a football can create magic, as discovered by the journalist Max Le Grand on a trip to Malawi and Zambia.

“What actually happened was pure magic. We arrived at a small, remote village where we attended a school. I told the head teacher I had a football to celebrate the World Cup 2010 in South Africa. Then from out of nowhere, about 100 children turned up. The excitement of seeing the brand new ball was unbelievable. So I got each child to make three pumps to inflate the ball. They then formed two teams of girls and boys. I kicked off, and for about two hours they played their hearts out.

Only then do you realise what such a comparatively small thing means to these children. The children's gratitude and that of the community was unbounding. We danced the afternoon away in the traditional manner to the drums. I have a fantastic memory.

Best wishes, Max Le Grand.”