Help grow the sport of Jiu Jitsu in Mombasa, Kenya

Hello! My name’s Jack Brown and I’m a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu brown belt and coach from Kilmarnock, Scotland. 

From the start of January 2021 my fiancée and I relocated to Kenya. I have teamed up with a charity called the Lionheart Initiative, which aims to promote martial arts within Africa. The mission of the Lionheart Initiative is:

The LionHeart Initiative creates opportunities for African athletes and empowers underserved communities through sustainable martial arts and gender-focused self-defense programs powered by volunteers working on the continent.
(www.mmaforafrica.com)


I am currently in Mombasa providing free jiu jitsu and self defence seminars to the Mombasa Sharks BJJ club. This is a jiu jitsu club run entirely by local volunteers where the members pay no membership and the club relies entirely on donations of mats/apparel to stay afloat. 

Training with the Sharks I’ve been inspired by their work ethic and eagerness to learn jiu jitsu and better their lives. They are fully deserving of a far better gym environment. The lack of mat space means that on a busy day many members cannot fit on the mats and must watch from the side.

The gym is currently in a poor state of repair and are working with limited mat space due to the high cost (see pictures).

I am looking to raise funds primarily to purchase the Sharks an increased mat space within their existing location (a mosque located in the heart of Mombasa). A proportion of the funds will also go towards paying basic living expenses for myself so that I can remain in Mombasa and continue to provide free classes and grow the sport of jiu jitsu whilst I’m here.

Thanks!