For Eric Mwangi of Towne Lake, playing sports not only was rewarding socially, but he also learned essential skills such as character, teamwork and perseverance that have helped him lead a successful life.

And for the past five years, through his nonprofit organization CHANCE Afrika (chanceafrika.org) Mwangi has worked overtime to make sure children across the globe have those same opportunities as he did growing up.

CHANCE (which stands for Character, Horizons, Attitudes, Never to give up, Creativity and Empowerment) Afrika uses educational and athletic programs to help in the development of children.

Programs are offered in African countries as well as in the United States. African countries that have been visited include Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe and South Africa.

The group organizes sports summer camps, such as basketball and soccer, and organizes free golf clinics with children in the Atlanta metro area.

It also mentors the children through those programs, said Mwangi, the organization's founder and president.

"The program was developed on how I grew up," he said.

A native of Kenya, Mwangi grew up playing soccer, rugby and hockey, which he said helped him excel in academics.

On its educational side, the organization awards scholarships, runs a leadership development program and provides school supplies to needy children in America and African countries.

In metro Atlanta, the organization takes disadvantaged youth to Atlanta Braves home games twice a year. CHANCE Afrika has an agreement with the Braves organization, which provides them with free tickets.

CHANCE Afrika partners with the North Atlanta Soccer Association to collect shoes and uniforms to donate to needy children in African countries.

Mwangi recently collected items for a school in Kenya that didn't have any uniforms to play soccer matches. Instead, the students played in their regular clothing.

CHANCE Afrika also provides malaria and HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention programs such as the distribution in Africa of free mosquito nets treated with insecticide to kill malaria-carrying insects.

On Oct. 10, CHANCE Afrika will bring its advocacy for malaria awareness and prevention to Cherokee County as it hosts the first Taming the Nile 5K Family Charity Run/Walk. Mwangi said part of the proceeds will also be donated to the Cherokee County Animal Shelter.

The fundraiser begins at 9 a.m. at Hobgood Park in Towne Lake. The registration fee is $25 per person and includes a T-shirt. Information and online registration is available at www.tamingthenile.org.

The organization is partnering with the Rotary Club of Canton to raise money to purchase treated mosquito nets for people in African countries.

Rotary club President Peter Gleichman said he became extremely interested in the fundraiser when he heard it would provide nets to prevent malaria.

Gleichman said he thinks CHANCE Afrika's mission is "terrific" and helps Americans have a better understanding of the plight of many Africans.

"Educating the public about the problems in Africa and then going beyond that is amazing," he said.

Since its beginnings, Mwangi said the organization has reached more than 3,500 children a year.

Whenever he goes into African communities, he said people are surprised and grateful for his organization.

"They are excited be cause they know we are giving them a chance to survive," said Mwangi, whose wife, Edith, also is involved with CHANCE Afrika as its finance director.

Mwangi and his team of advocates aren't just stopping at the shores of Africa and the United States.

They are actively working to begin CHANCE Haiti, CHANCE Europe, CHANCE Asia and CHANCE America organizations.

Mwangi said he people in the community who are interested in helping build character and perseverance among youth should support CHANCE Afrika and the upcoming benefit.

Not only do sports keep people in shape, they also help youth learn about life's important lessons, according to Mwangi.

"The thing about sports is that it teaches other life skills," he said.