Dear 2-4-1 Community,
Greetings from Kenya!
In less than two days here, I’ve experienced what feels like a month’s worth of discovery. It’s been a profoundly humbling and thrilling journey to meet in person the folks from Wellness for Greatness, Kenya, whom we’ve known virtually for years. There’s something magical about meeting someone in person for the first time, yet feeling like you’re reuniting with an old friend.
Our guide, Raheem, has been a delightful companion. His intelligence and familiarity with Nairobi’s vast expanse are astounding. We often joke that he’s running for mayor, given how everyone seems to know him, even garnering friendly honks from passersby!
Today, we visited MATHARE YOUTH Sports Association, the primary host site for MYSA Kenya. This site is more than just a sports facility; it’s a beacon of hope and growth. Here, we’ll host our training and programming in a little over a week. It was heartening to see the facility in advance and learn about its diverse initiatives, from soccer (or football, as they call it here) for boys and girls, to a range of public health and educational programs.
A particularly touching moment was seeing a plaque with Edwin Moses’ name on it. Having met Edwin a couple of times, most recently this past May at Project Play with Kerry, it was a small world moment to see one of my favorite Olympic Champion’s presence upon our arrival. It’s also a testament to the global impact of initiatives like Edwin’s Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.
What’s remarkable about MYSA is its holistic approach. Like their partner Wellness for Greatness, they don’t just focus on sports; they’re deeply committed to public health, education, and ensuring the safety and well-being of children and the community. As a long-time counselor, I was particularly impressed with their counseling center – a recent addition but already highly utilized.
The space is perfect for our upcoming training for 30 educators and over 100 children. This visit has filled us with optimism about expanding our 2-4-1 programming not only in Nairobi but across Kenya and perhaps even throughout Africa.
Stay tuned for more updates as we continue to share our African journey. Today we will be tourist and visit Nairobia National Park – then we are off to Zambia tomorrrow before heading back to Nairobi. It’s a testament to the power of connection, community, and the far-reaching impact of our collective efforts.
About Steve Boyle
Steve Boyle is a connector, collaborator, and tireless advocate for making youth sports more playful, inclusive, and developmentally sound. As Executive Director of 2-4-1 CARE, Inc. and Co-Founder of 2-4-1 Sports, Steve has helped lead a growing movement to reshape the youth sports experience—one that puts the joy of play and the whole child at the center. Grounded in his background as a school counselor and coach, Steve co-created the award-winning TOP Self™ platform, which uses sport as a vehicle for social-emotional learning. Under his collaborative leadership, 2-4-1 has grown from a single program in West Hartford, Connecticut to a global nonprofit impacting communities across North America and Africa. Steve’s influence extends beyond his own organization. He served as Advisory Board Chair for the National Association of Physical Literacy and as Global Lead for Athletics and Physical Literacy at Whittle School & Studios, shaping programming in Washington, D.C. and Shenzhen. Whether working with local partners or global networks, Steve brings humility, heart, and a belief in the power of teamwork to everything he does.