DAR ES SALAAM: THE Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam has raised funds towards providing 600 school desks to primary school pupils through its Serve & Smash 2026 Pickleball and Padel Tournament held at Tanzanite Park in Mikocheni.
The fundraising event brought together 73 teams and 147 participants, including Rotarians, corporate sponsors, professionals, families and community supporters, united by a shared commitment to improving learning conditions for primary school pupils across Dar es Salaam.
Funds raised through the tournament will contribute to the provision of 600 school desks through a Rotary Global Grant under the club’s ongoing Gift of Education Desks Project.
Speaking during the event, Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam President, Leenah Munyua said the tournament demonstrated how sport could bring people together to support meaningful community development initiatives.
“Serve & Smash is about much more than sport. It is about bringing people together for a meaningful purpose. Every contribution made through this tournament brings us closer to providing schoolchildren with something essential, a proper desk and a dignified place to learn,” said Munyua.
She commended participants, sponsors, partners, volunteers and club members for their contributions towards the success of the tournament.
Munyua said the strong turnout and generous support from individuals and corporate partners demonstrated the importance of collective action in addressing challenges facing local communities.
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“We sincerely thank our sponsors, participants, volunteers, organising committee and everyone who contributed their time, resources and energy to make this event such a tremendous success. Their support will help us create a lasting impact in the lives of schoolchildren across Dar es Salaam,” she added.
The tournament also provided an opportunity for businesses, professionals and members of the wider community to build networks while supporting an educational initiative aimed at improving classroom conditions.
Since its launch in 2020, the Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam’s Gift of Education Desks Project has provided more than 6,000 school desks valued at approximately 600m/-, benefiting an estimated 15,000 pupils in schools across Dar es Salaam.
The project seeks to improve the learning environment by ensuring that pupils have access to proper desks, helping create more comfortable and dignified spaces for education.
Through initiatives such as Serve & Smash, the club continues to mobilise individuals, businesses and organisations to contribute towards improving educational opportunities for children.
The 2026 tournament highlighted the potential of sport to go beyond competition and entertainment by serving as a platform for community participation, partnerships and sustainable social impact.
The Rotary Club of Dar es Salaam is part of Rotary International, a global network of people committed to community service and creating lasting positive change.
The club works with partners and supporters in education, health and other community-focused initiatives to address local needs and improve lives.
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