Disc Golfers Unite for Uganda's Underserved Batwa Pygmy Community

A groundbreaking project has been launched by the Paul McBeth Foundation (PMF) to introduce disc golf to the underserved Batwa Pygmy people in Uganda. This community, isolated from modern amenities, will now have access to a new recreational activity that fosters social bonding and community engagement. The initiative is part of Project Olangama, which aims to improve the overall quality of life for its members.

The project's inception can be attributed to Justin Wren, former UFC fighter and current Bellator MMA athlete, who has been working with the Batwa Pygmy people since 2013 through his organization Fight for the Forgotten. Over the past decade, Wren's team has drilled 83 wells, impacting over 52,000 people in the region. This effort has also included numerous health initiatives under the Batwa Whole Community Development Project.

Wren's involvement with African indigenous communities dates back to a life-changing trip he took to the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2012. During this expedition, he discovered a new sense of purpose and adopted the nickname "The Big Pygmy." Wren now believes that disc golf can be an effective tool for community building, stating, "One of the things that disc golf does is it brings the community together."

To support Project Olangama, PMF has partnered with Fight for the Forgotten, Ledgestone, and the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA). These organizations are working together to make this project a reality while raising awareness about the needs of this underserved population. The installation of disc golf courses is also expected to create local jobs and stimulate economic growth in the region.

The Batwa Pygmy community will be using Ugandan-made baskets, which have significantly reduced production costs for building courses in Africa. Ndejje University, a recent hub for disc golf on the continent, has been instrumental in producing these locally-made baskets.

Dustin Leatherman, PMF's Executive Director, expressed gratitude for the collaboration and partnership demonstrated by Fight for the Forgotten, Ledgestone, and PDGA. He noted that this project embodies PMF's core value of collaboration and partnership.

Paul McBeth's original vision for his foundation was to share the game he loves with the world while building opportunities for those in need. Projects like Olangama prove that this mission is being fulfilled.

This article was compiled from disc golf coverage with AI assistance. Source: pdga.com — https://www.pdga.com/news/project-olangama