M'bera
Spirit
The M’bera refugee camp was established to provide safety and opportunities for Malian refugees who had to flee their homes.
KLABU in partnership with On’s Right To Run, UNHCR and the M’bera community have worked together on setting up the clubhouse, which is now located in the heart of the camp.
"The clubhouse has met a need that has been felt for a very long time. The need to provide the young people in the camp, and all the layers of the camp with sports equipment."
Since its arrival in M’bera, the clubhouse has quickly become a lively hub, welcoming over 14,000 participants, nearly half of them girls.
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Girls playing volleyball at the clubhouse
This sports commission is one of 20 community organisations in M'bera
Clubhouse Agenda
Tradition meets modern fun at KLABU 1 and KLABU 2! Clubhouse managers Lilly, Fatimetou, Dahi, and Momo keep the schedule lively, Monday to Sunday, with something for everyone. Whether you like to learn traditional dances, play team sports, or need some new dance moves to impress your friends, you’re welcome to join the fun. Want to learn more or try something new? Contact the local team at mberaspirit@klabu.org.
Tuesday
03 November ’26
16:00 - 18:00
Boys’ Football Training
Join the KLABU football trainings at KLABU 1, and wear your team shirt with pride.
Tuesday
03 November ’26
17:00 - 18:00
Modern Dancing
Learn fresh moves, find your groove, impress your friends, and dance to M'bera's newest hits at KLABU 1!
Wednesday
04 November ’26
16:00 - 17:00
Drawing
Got a story to tell without words? Come draw it at KLABU 2! Sketch your world and learn fun new techniques.
Friday
06 November ’26
16:00 - 17:00
Traditional Dancing
Feel the rhythm, learn the steps, and celebrate your culture at KLABU1!
Friday
06 November ’26
16:00 - 17:00
Traditional Wrestling
Build your balance, discipline, and confidence while having fun with friends in a respectful setting. No experience needed. Location: KLABU 2.
Saturday
07 November ’26
16:00 - 17:00
Drawing
Got a story to tell without words? Come draw it at KLABU 2! Sketch your world and learn fun new techniques.
Sunday
08 November ’26
17:00 - 18:00
Traditional Dancing
Feel the rhythm, learn the steps, and celebrate your culture at KLABU 2!
Monday
09 November ’26
16:00 - 18:00
Girls' Volleyball Training
Want to join a new team and get ready for the upcoming tournament? Join the KLABU volleyball trainings at KLABU 1! Whether you’re just starting out or already love the game come have fun with other girls from the community.
M'bera Spirit Badge
Clubshirt
Co-designed with the local community, the M'bera Spirit shirt embodies the unbeatable spirit of M'bera.
Impact so far
- On average, around 5,000 participants take part in sports every week, with nearly 100 different sessions happening across the camp.
- Footballs barely touch the ground before the next match kicks off, volleyball courts stay packed, skipping ropes are always spinning, and walking and running groups loop through the camp all mornings.
- Sport in M'bera blends the global and the traditional. Alongside football and volleyball, you'll find traditional wrestling and dance sessions. Members want to make sure to keep cultural heritage alive from one generation to the next.
- Today, 30% of participants are women and girls - proud volleyball champions and leaders on and off the court. And the M'bera team is making sure things don't stay separate: mixed volleyball tournaments bring boys and girls together on the same court.
- Something extra special happened too - two girls' football teams have formed, the first time girls have ever played football in M'bera!
- Behind all this energy is an incredible team of local Malian staff who lead with so much care: Momo, Fatimetou, Lilly, and Dahi.
- Listening closely to community feedback, the team opened KLABU 2: a second clubhouse just 1km from the original, built to bring sport, community, and joy to even more people in M'bera. It's already opened up access to sport for over 400 children who would otherwise have had to travel much further to reach a clubhouse.
- The team also runs awareness sessions on keeping shared spaces clean and safe, and on the importance of education for children.
- Beyond the camp, the team also supports a karate school in the nearby town of Nema - providing tatami mats and exploring how this support can grow. The karate centre has become a place where Mauritanians and Malians connect, reaching around 55 participants a month, both boys and girls.
- The KLABU staff nurture strong ties with the Mauritanian host community too. They invite local youth groups to tournaments, visit community initiatives, and share KLABU shirts so more people feel part of the club.
- In Bassiknou, a town of around 20,000 residents near M'bera, KLABU supports a local youth association with sports equipment and help organise football tournaments for Mauritanian residents, drawing more than 70 participants.
