M'bera
Spirit

A coup d’etat in 2012 plunged Mali into a complex crisis, where climate shocks, epidemics, food insecurity and continued terrorist violence created further instability. This forced large numbers to seek refuge in neighbouring countries, such as Mauritania. 

Many different Malian ethnicities now live in the M’bera camp in the Hodh Chargui region, and in urban areas like Nouakchott, Néma and Nouadhibou in safety and with rights as refugees. Mauritania’s asylum policies enable freedom of movement, access to the labour market, education and social security - a welcoming society that creates opportunity for integration.

In December 2022, at the UNHCR (the UN Refugee Agency) headquarters in Geneva, KLABU met the camp coordinator of M’bera, Mr Mohammed or ‘Momo’. After a first chat with him, it was obvious that a KLABU clubhouse would flourish in Mauritania. His accounts of M’bera’s many community initiatives and accomplishments tackling gender-based violence, encouraging recycling, advocating for further healthcare or supporting education, inspired us to visit the camp and meet this incredible community.

In M'bera, we discovered a unique place and group of people, with hopeful plans for a future where the camp will no longer be a camp but become a regular urban settlement. By working closely with the M'bera community and UNHCR, the clubhouse fits right into that ambition, and will complement M’bera’s eight schools, vibrant and vast markets, a connectivity centre, and even a bank!

54% of M’bera’s refugee community are school-age children. Growing up in a refugee camp, the need for long-term projects and activities is essential. The KLABU clubhouse aims to provide access to sports to 10,000 young people, boosting their mental strength and promoting the peaceful coexistence with the Mauritanian host community.

12 years after the opening of the camp, M’bera is now looking ahead at a future where refugees and local Mauritanians can collaborate more closely and integrate further. The clubhouse will aim to foster that and connect all sports-lovers from the host and refugee communities, because sport can be key to a brighter future for both communities. 

Together with the M'bera Spirit clubhouse managers (Momo, Abdallah, Fatimetou, Aly and Dahi), and with On, UNHCR, and other partners and supporters, we having been preparing the clubhouse, designed by the architecture firm MVRDV. It instantly became a success upon arrival in July 2024, with the community unpacking the sports library stored within to get playing.

Unfolding the table tennis table under the shade of the few desert trees, placing the boxing bag, holding a big football tournament clad in KLABU shirts - M’bera Spirit is making a running start! It will now be further set up and prepared for official launch in November 2024.