Harmony Baseball Academy: Onward & Upward

Just before Christmas of this past year, I had the pleasure of speaking with Arsel Giowou, the founder and operator of the Harmony Baseball Academy in Cameroon. Exploring the history of the game in Africa, Giowou’s plan for building a true baseball infrastructure, the love of the game, and the opportunity for growth, I fell in love with the academy and it’s mission.

Since the article’s publication, Harmony Academy received official recognition from Cameroon’s government. It’s growth to two more communities is developing quickly, but at the expense of proper equipment, Giowou’s first hurdle.

Harmony is in the planning stage of its second Kids Championship in August. The goal is at least fifty participants. Aided with the efforts of Rhode Island’s East Greenwich High School, a connection with the school’s pitching coach Bradley Van Fechtmann on social media progressed the movement for Harmony. The Rhode Island high school shipped jerseys and supplies to the academy in Cameroon, but Van Fechtmann didn’t stop there. In addition to the gifts, he proceeded to set up a GoFundMe for the Harmony Academy with a goal to raise $3,000 in an effort to support the academy.

The proceeds go toward food and water, rental fees, supplies, and more. As of Monday night, the GoFundMe raised $1,145 toward the goal of spreading the love of the game, and building the dreams and opportunity to one day play professional baseball.

Money’s tight, the pandemic hit everybody hard, but if you can help Harmony Academy’s mission to grow the game, click here.