Bristol City midfielder Malaika Meena is sorting through more than 1,000 items of donated football kit collected over the past month, as her decade-long effort to send boots and gear to schoolchildren in Tanzania has grown into a widespread movement.
From a Single Post to a Movement
What began as a social media post from a 13-year-old at Chelsea's academy has evolved into a significant charitable operation. Meena, now 23 and playing in the WSL2, reflects on the journey: 'For me it's all about resource allocation. It's not about trying to save Tanzania, but about giving equal opportunity to everybody. Football has given me so much, and I want everyone to experience that joy.'
Born in England to Tanzanian parents, Meena regularly visits family in Dar es Salaam and rural areas near Kilimanjaro. Her family had always donated football boots, but her professional career has amplified the effort. 'I put a post out 10 years ago asking if anyone had kit to take to Tanzania, and I got so many messages. We went with at least 100 items then,' she recalls.
Expanding the Reach
Now, with connections across clubs including Bristol City, Newcastle, and Manchester City, Meena has collected over 1,000 items in the last month alone. 'I think: why not use what I have to donate kit? So many people will benefit from this,' she says. The donations are shipped to Tanzania, with four boxes already sent this year.
Meena is working to register a charity and plans to expand beyond football kit to include school equipment like desks, chairs, and educational resources. 'I've been using my personal Instagram, but I'll create a dedicated page to grow this further,' she adds.
A Journey Through Football
Meena started playing for a local boys' team, Burnham Juniors, at age seven, later captaining the side. She progressed through Chelsea's academy, Arsenal's youth team, and played college soccer at Wake Forest University in the US, overcoming ACL and fibula injuries. After returning to England, she joined Bristol City in January 2025 and went on loan to Ipswich Town in February, helping them secure ninth place in the WSL2.
'Bristol City is a great place with wonderful staff, but I needed to develop more, so Ipswich was a great option,' she explains. Meena also earned a call-up to the England Under-23 squad in March 2025.
Making a Difference
Meena's efforts are driven by a love for Tanzania, which she calls 'my favourite country in the world.' She notes the country's economic challenges but highlights the passion for football among schoolchildren. 'Everyone is so loving and helpful. We usually take one suitcase full of boots and kit when we visit. Now we ship items year-round so children can benefit even when I'm not there,' she says.
The midfielder encourages donations at games or via collection, aiming to make it easy for supporters. 'I've really enjoyed doing this,' she concludes.
