A number of coaches from youth football clubs in East Lothian took part in a “very emotional” trip to Rwanda, teaching youngsters football whilst hearing stories about how many of them had spent time living on the streets.

Coaches from Tranent Colts, Musselburgh Windsor and Gullane Athletic took part in the trip which was organised by charity Scottish Football for Rwanda, which aims to support youngsters in one of the world’s poorest nations.

Coaches Russell Wilson and Dean Beveridge (Tranent Colts), John Hood, Justin Hynd, Scott Hutchison and Ian Gillon (Musselburgh Windsor) and Mike Mackie (Gullane Athletic) all took part in the trip.

Whilst there, the coaches got the opportunity to teach football drills in a number of schools as well as hear the stories of some of the children they were coaching.

Reflecting on the experience, Tranent Colts coach Russell Wilson, 40, said: “It hit really hard going over there. It was a great experience but also a very emotional one.

“Many of our schools have a high quality astroturf for playing football but these kids often walk about half a mile to their football pitches and they’re barely even pitches but they make them work.

“The attitude of the kids over there is just incredible. They’re out playing in bare feet and still giving it their all.

“It’s very different to over here. To some of these kids just having a football is like having an Xbox or a PlayStation for kids over here.”

Tranent Colts have taken part in previous trips to Rwanda, most recently in 2020 when six of their volunteers travelled to Africa.

The trip through Scottish Football for Rwanda costs £1,500 to participate in and this covers all aspects of the trip.

The coaches visited a number of schools on their trip including one for disabled children and several in the high mountain regions of the country.

Russell said that no matter where they went, the positive attitude from the children shone through.

He said: “The school facilities are far more basic than we have at home. Everything is more paper based still because the computer facilities are not modern.

“We got the opportunity to donate some things to them like boots and kits as well as footballs and the kids were all incredibly grateful.

“It was so great to see them all have such a positive reaction towards us and show such an interest and eagerness to learn from us. We got loads of handshakes and fist pumps – it was incredible.”

Russell grew up in Tranent, attending Ross High, and now coaches the 2013s squad for Tranent Colts and has a son who is in the team.

He said that he had learned a lot from the trip he can pass on to his players: “I think this trip has taught me that it’s important to remind our players at home to respect each other and make the most of what we have.

“It’s taught me to be mindful of kids’ needs too. It’s easy to just focus on the football when you coach but sometimes asking them how they’re doing or being more encouraging helps too.”

Whilst on the trip, the coaches visited Batsinda which offers support and education for children who have been living on the streets.

Dean Beveridge, 20, a former Tranent Juniors player and former Ross High pupil, who now coaches for Tranent Colts, also took part and said that this part of the trip hit him the hardest.

He said: “Visiting the ex street kids in Batsinda really hit me personally. Hearing the stories of how some of them used to live next to rubbish dumps was hard to hear.

“It’s given me a spur now that I’ve come back home to go out and fulfil what I want to do in life because these guys have got nothing and are still trying to make the most of opportunities.”

Dean runs his own football academy as well as coaching with the under-15s at Tranent Colts. He also plays football for Vale of Leithen after leaving Tranent Juniors in July.

He said that the inspiring stories he heard in Rwanda would help push him on in his career.

He said: “First and foremost I want to make the most of my playing career. I’ve had a few injuries and now I’m starting to recover and will hopefully kick on in 2023.

“This trip has taught me that life’s too short and that we should all grab every opportunity we can because we’re lucky to get them.”

Mark Fleming, chairman of Scottish Football for Rwanda, said: “I couldn’t have hoped for a better group of coaches. Every one of them gave themselves fully to the people we engaged with.

“They coached in a wide range of contexts: enjoying the pure fun of football with the children from the disabled school next door to our guest house and also with the former street children from the Batsinda project.

“One thing is for sure, every coach who was on the trip is longing to go back, that tells you all you need to know!”