Ex-Teacher Turned Charity Founder Launches Transformative ‘Idea to Impact’ Rugby-Related Adventure in Malawi

Ex-Teacher Turned Charity Founder Launches Transformative ‘Idea to Impact’ Rugby-Related Adventure in Malawi

October 2025

Ex-Teacher Turned Charity Founder Launches Transformative ‘Idea to Impact’ Adventure in Malawi

Bhubesi Pride Foundation’s Richard Bennett invites 20 participants on an 8-day immersive journey blending personal growth, cultural exchange, community impact, and to collectively showcase the charity’s incredible work in Malawi.

A new immersive travel experience from Bhubesi Pride Foundation (BPF) is giving people the chance to combine personal growth with purposeful impact on an 8-day learning adventure in Malawi, led by the charity’s inspirational founder Richard Bennett.

Born in Durban, South Africa, Richard, also a passionate rugby supporter, moved to the UK in 1996 and became a teacher. He taught design and technology and physics at Dean Close School in Cheltenham, and after teaching for three years, gave it all up to put his efforts into creating a “sustainable rugby legacy.”

In 2011, BPF founder Richard took a rugby ball – and a camera – to Africa. He spent a year preparing for this unique reconnaissance journey, meeting children, educators, sports federation representatives and government officials across ten countries in just seven weeks, documenting every step.

A year later, he led BPF’s first volunteer team on a six-month, 30,000km overland expedition from London to Cape Town. Together, they coached 3,687 children and trained 33 teachers across 22 schools.

Over the next seven years, Richard coordinated dynamic annual expeditions which built strong partnerships and catalysed community development. With the support of volunteers, donors and partners, BPF implemented 12 impactful legacy projects in eight countries, including new sports facilities, IT classrooms, tree planting schemes and the refurbishment of a centre for children with disabilities.

As the vision evolved, BPF deepened its focus on youth sport and supplementary education. In 2017, the organisation registered its first African NGO – BPF Malawi – to deliver non-contact rugby programmes in rural Lilongwe, later expanding to include netball. By 2018, BPF Malawi had purchased a seven-acre site and begun building a transformational sports and education community centre – now a thriving hub serving over 3,000 young people every year.

Running from 16–23 May 2026, the _Idea to Impact_ programme invites 20 participants to experience life in rural Malawi, connecting directly with communities, youth leaders, and young people whose lives are being transformed by BPF’s work.

The unique trip blends hands-on community engagement with cultural discovery and personal reflection. Participants will help deliver youth coaching sessions, join local sports festivals, learn to cook traditional nsima, travel by bicycle taxi through rural villages, and enjoy time to reflect at Blue Zebra Island Lodge on Lake Malawi.

Founder Richard Bennett says, “When I first travelled through Africa with a rugby ball and a dream, I wanted to see how sport could bring people together. That journey became Bhubesi Pride Foundation, and it’s been incredible to see the ripple effect of that idea across communities and generations.

Idea to Impact is about sharing that experience. It’s an opportunity for people to grow personally, connect meaningfully, and make a real contribution to the ongoing story of BPF.”

Limited to just 20 participants, this intimate adventure is designed for people ready to challenge themselves, deepen their leadership skills, and make a meaningful contribution to a thriving African community – and to see if they can bring even more impact to the idea which has evolved so much in 15 years.

For more information about the trip or to register your interest, contact Richard Bennett at info@rugbyinafrica.org

Learn more about Bhubesi Pride Foundation at: https://bpfafrica.org