The question about the Baseball5 project was:

In Sotik, a small town in southern Kenya about 200 kilometres from Lake Victoria, a Kenyan friend wants to create an opportunity for young people aged between three and eighteen to play sport. He is a coach of Baseball5, a sport that is affordable for Africans on average incomes.

The idea to implement this in his hometown first came to Denis while he was staying in Kakuma Camp III. He continues to receive support from the WBSC organisation and two schools in Kakuma.

• Kalobeyei -Sporthall in Kakuma Camp III
• Head coach Denis Mitei from Kenya is supported by two Refugee Assistant Coaches – Susan Nadai and Issa Rhamadhani. The Kakuma and Kalobeyey teams recruited 30 players each and train three times a week. The WBSC has supported the activity by providing nutrition, education and equipment – including balls and training material.
• Two partner schools support the Saturday education sessions with their facilities. Considering the differences in fundamental literacy and numeracy skills, education programmes have been designed to meet different needs.

He would like to build an outdoor field with grass and a hall…

He would like to build an outdoor field with grass and a hall. Toilets for both sexes, a registration office, changing rooms, washing facilities, a room where everyone can eat together and discuss training or sports exercises are required. Everything should be as simple as necessary and as comprehensive as possible. In other words, a project. From the idea to the financial possibilities and the goal of making it happen. In compliance with the laws of the Kenyan state, he has founded a CBO called South-Rockies Baseball5 and wants to make this project possible for all SRB5 members through this national association. Build it up. What planning approach would you suggest? So from the idea, planning the financing of the construction and completion, and what needs to be considered in the future.

ChatGPT:

Saved memory updated

This sounds like a valuable and feasible project for Sotik – with a strong social and sporting impact. Here is a structured planning process from the idea to sustainable implementation:

🛠️ Project plan: Establishment of a Baseball5 sports centre in Sotik (South Rockies Baseball5)

1. 💡 Idea phase & goal definition

Goal

Creation of a sports training and meeting place for young people (aged 3–18) with a focus on Baseball5.

Values

• Strengthening the community
• Healthy leisure activities
• Talent promotion & inclusion
• Access to sport for low-income families

2. 📝 Needs assessment & concept

a) Target group analysis:

• Boys & girls (aged 3–18) from Sotik and the surrounding area
• Coaches and supervisors
• Parents and community members

b) Location selection:

• Access to water and electricity
• Central location, easily accessible
• Cooperation with local authorities (e.g. land use)

c) Space requirements & functional rooms:

• Open space (Baseball5) with grass
• Simple sports hall (e.g. corrugated iron/metal structure with good ventilation)
• Toilets (boys, girls, staff)
• Changing rooms & washing facilities
• Registration office (small office)
• Multipurpose room (meals, team meetings, workshops)

3. 🏗️ Planning & design

a) Architecture/floor plan:

• Involve local architect or builder
• Building permit in accordance with Kenyan building and planning law (including gender and hygiene guidelines)
• Simple, cost-effective construction:
  • Red clay bricks, steel beams, recycled materials, solar energy

b) Involvement of the community:

• Organise community meetings
• Involve local CBOs, chiefs, schools, women’s and youth groups

4. 💰 Financing & resources

a) Cost calculation:

• Land (lease or donation?)
• Construction costs (materials, labour)
• Furnishings & equipment (toilets, water connection, sports equipment, furniture)
• Running costs (water, cleaning, maintenance, staff)

b) Sources of funding:

• Own funds/CBO
• Donation campaigns (local + international)
• Sports promotion programmes (e.g. Baseball5 at WBSC)
• NGOs (e.g. Right to Play, Laureus Foundation)
• International small projects via embassies (e.g. Austria, Germany, Canada)
• Crowdfunding platforms (e.g. GoFundMe, Betterplace)
• Cooperation with UNHCR, UNICEF, Safaricom Foundation

5. 🏁 Implementation & construction

a) Project coordination:

• A construction coordinator or team leader (local)
• Weekly schedule with construction phases
• Checkpoints and milestones

b) Community work:

• Involvement of young people and parents in construction (self-build, skills development)

c) Initial equipment:

• Toilet facilities
• Water tank and simple showers
• Furniture (wooden benches, tables, simple kitchen area)

6. 📅 Commissioning and programme launch

a) Launch sports programme:

• Training sessions (by age group)
• Initial events (e.g. tournament, family day)

b) Documentation & visibility:

• Photos, social media, media reports
• Invitation of local authorities, politicians & sponsors

7. 📈 Sustainability & further development

a) Operating concept:

• Membership fees (tiered)
• Event fees or hall rental (for community purposes)
• Savings programme for maintenance

b) Expansions:

• Sports courses, school partnerships
• Promotion of girls in sport
• Nutrition and health training
• Exchange programmes with other Baseball5 CBOs in Kenya

📚 Legal framework in Kenya

• Registration as a CBO with the Ministry of the Interior (✔️ already completed)
• Compliance with building regulations & environmental protection standards
• Gender-appropriate sanitary facilities required
• Protective provisions for children & young people (child protection concept)

🔚 Conclusion

This project is realistic and scalable. If you start with simple infrastructure (toilets, water, training ground), you can gradually expand the centre as the CBO and the interest of young people grows.

If you like, I can also help you create:

• a 1-page project profile for donors
• a PowerPoint presentation
• a construction plan as a sketch
  (We look forward to adding the preliminary sketch (it will be inserted once we have found a suitable plot of land), but we are still waiting to see if we can find a plot that is suitable for this project.
• a financing form (budget)