Help us build Kenya's field of dreams
Tax deductible
Urgent Call for Support - IfWeBuildIt.org is now working with local community partners to implement a pilot season of the first official chartered Little League in Nairobi with 150 players from 8 teams across the Nairobi-Metro region - however the primary funding grant of $15,000 we were counting on to jump start this from the US Embassy in Kenya has been terminated as part of the US State Department global cessation of funding grants. (see our most recent update below).
When you donate to this fundraising campaign we'll use these funds toward the $15,000 needed to operate the league. The primary costs go toward player safety (ambulance and first aid support), insurance, food and refreshments for youth, team transportation (buses from across the city), league officials and coaches (umpires, scorers and chaperones), and field rental (games are played on a soccer field in Nairobi). The Championship weekend will be held at the Nairobi Field of Dreams.
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Fueled by the passion of Kenya's baseball and softball community, IfWeBuildIt.org is a community-led initiative dedicated to building the first dedicated baseball and softball field complex in Nairobi, Kenya—a place where young players can come together, develop their skills, and enjoy the game.
Our Progress So Far
Since 2021, thanks to the support of our incredible donors, we've raised $25,000 to jumpstart this ambitious project. With those funds, we’ve:
- Built the Nairobi Field of Dreams, a playable but still-developing baseball field at Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT)
- Hosted thousands of young players at clinics, tournaments, and championships
- Partnered with dozens of local companies and organizations to build a strong community space
- Created a welcoming space for the baseball and softball community to gather and play
- Gained international recognition and support for expanding baseball infrastructure in East Africa
What’s Next – We Need Your Support!
We are now raising an additional $50,000 to:
- Upgrade Field #1 – Install dugouts, improve field drainage, and add fencing to improve safety and accessibility
- Build Field #2 – A dedicated field for Little League and Softball, ensuring young players and female athletes have a space to train and compete
- Expand our Nairobi Little League – The first officially recognized Little League International program in Nairobi, providing accessible opportunities for kids from diverse and under-resourced communities
- Support year-round programming – Provide coaching, equipment, and transportation for hundreds of young athletes across Nairobi and beyond
Our Story
Decades after baseball was introduced in Kenya, a dedicated group of Kenyan, American, and Japanese players broke ground in 2021 to build Nairobi’s first baseball field. Partnering with JKUAT, which has generously allocated 10 acres for the development of a full baseball and softball complex, IfWeBuildIt.org is working to ensure that every child who wants to play has a place to do so.
We’ve started with a Minimum Viable Field—meaning games are happening, but the infrastructure still needs major improvements to support Little League, softball, and community play. Our goal is to bring these fields up to the standard of municipal parks in the U.S., making Nairobi a place where young people can play, learn, and grow through baseball.
Milestones Achieved Since 2021
2021:
- JKUAT allocates field space
- Technical assessment & concept design completed
- Groundbreaking at JKUAT (September 2021)
- Field 1 area cleared & first youth skills event held
2022:
- 501(c)3 officially launched
- GoFundMe campaign started
- 2,400+ tons of soil added for field improvement
- Initial grading and leveling completed
2023:
- Temporary backstop and dugouts installed
- Hosted the first-ever Little League Kenya National Championship
- Major tournaments held at field: Stars & Stripes Softball Celebration, Baseball4Africa Kenya National Championship, Kosehin Japanese-Africa Baseball and Softball Championship
- Regular youth & senior training sessions established
2024:
- Nairobi Community Championship Series (Senior League) launched, sponsored by MbeleFX
- 150+ youth trained at Nairobi Diamond Dreamer Skills Clinic (supported by Delta Airlines)
- Nairobi Baseball Community Championship Festival – Over 500 attendees watched Kenya’s best baseball talent
- U.S. Embassy awarded $15,000 grant for Nairobi Little League (later rescinded due to policy changes)
2025:
- Launch of Season 2 of the Nairobi Baseball Community Championship Series
- Official launch of Nairobi Little League (now officially part of Little League International!)
- Expanding fields and securing funding through community partnerships & donor support
Why This Matters
Kenya has a thriving baseball community, but it lacks proper facilities. Access to safe, dedicated spaces for play is critical to giving more young people the opportunity to participate in sports.
Currently, there is only one regulation baseball field in Kenya, located hundreds of miles away from Nairobi, making it inaccessible for most players. The Nairobi Field of Dreams project changes that by building a community hub where young athletes can play, practice, and compete.
How You Can Help
Your donation will help us build a two-field complex, ensuring:
- Youth access to play - Little League & Softball development – A permanent home for young players & female athletes
- Senior baseball & local tournaments – A field that meets World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC) standards
- Year-round accessibility – Training, coaching, and organized play for players across Kenya and East Africa
- A lasting legacy – A welcoming space where kids can play and grow through baseball
We’re closer than ever to making this vision a reality, but we need your help now to complete the fields and launch Nairobi Little League after losing critical funding.
About Us
IfWeBuildIt.org is a 501(c)3 nonprofit based in the U.S. with an official branch in Kenya. Founded by Thom Wallace and Kevin Schreiber, two Americans who have called Kenya home for years, our mission is to expand access to baseball and softball by building fields and supporting community programs. Through partnerships with JKUAT, the Kenyan Baseball Federation, and Little League International, we are working to make sure every child in Nairobi who wants to play has a place to do so.
Your donation is tax-deductible and directly supports field construction, coaching, and league play.
Join us in bringing baseball to more young people in Kenya!
To donate from Kenya visit our M-Changa crowdfunding page.
Visit our website: www.ifwebuildit.org
Follow us on Instagram: IfWeBuildIt Instagram
Fundraising team: IfWeBuildIt.org Fundraising Team (2)
Thom Wallace
Organizer
Brooklyn, NY
If We Build It Org, Inc.
Beneficiary
Kevin Schreiber
Team member