The influence and reach of Cricket Without Boundaries has continued to strengthen with volunteers returning from no less than four successful visits which have seen more than 6,000 young Africans coached in cricket.

Teams of volunteers have visited Uganda, Kenya, Rwanda and most recently Botswana, working to train youngsters and coaches while passing on the HIV/AIDS message as part of the Spring 2012 projects.

The Rwandan trip saw more than 2,000 youngsters coached and 14 cricket coaches trained in less than two weeks at 12 schools, two universities, two orphanages and the Rwanda Cricket Association.

Since the first visit to Rwanda, evidence of the spread of the sport of cricket has become increasingly apparent.

Richard Thurston, project leader for the CWB Spring 2012 project, said: "I have observed a huge improvement as compared to last year.

"While we were outside of Kigali, we've noticed that cricket is becoming widely known and, as a result, we are seeing more talented cricketers.

"It isn't just about Kigali, it's about the whole of Rwanda, because that will improve the national team."

Volunteer coach Carys Davis said: "Some of the best players we've seen here have been the girls and they are absolutely smashing the ball.

"They really enjoy playing and that's what the Spirit of Cricket is all about."

In Kenya, a team of eight volunteers working with Cricket Kenya, spent two weeks coaching a total of 2,594 children and 233 coaches trained in Nairobi, Kisumu, Nakuru and the Maasai region.

In addition, CWB delivered a level 2 course for the Cricket Kenya coaches, including national team coaches.

Tracey Davies, CWB Kenya Country Manager, explained how the Kenyan projects were succeeding in helping to nurture passion for cricket at a grass-roots level.

"Kisumu is an area of largely untapped potential, she said. "And with some enthusiastic people on the ground could become a great breeding ground for new players.

"CWB's long-standing visits to Kericho Teachers' Training College continues to impress with the high level of interest amongst the trainee teachers and permanent staff.

"It is these teachers that will take cricket and the HIV/AIDs messages to the hundreds of different schools that they will go on to teach in.

"As for the Maasai area, CWB is proud of the substantial contribution which it has made to this project and will continue to help ICC volunteer of the year Aliya Bauer with her work in the Massai villages, training new coaches and teachers and teaching cricket and HIV/AIDS messages to the masses."

In Uganda, the team undertook a 17 day trip around Masaka, Kasese and Fort Portal, training more than 500 youngsters and 60 coaches.

The team was made up of the Belvoir Cricket Trust, led by Paul Rowe and Richard Davies.

The work in Uganda has earned plaudits from the Uganda Cricket Association.

Justine Ligyalingi, CEO of the Uganda Cricket Association, said: "I would like to register our sincere appreciation to the tour members for having come to Uganda to run the Spring project.

"Based on the preliminary reports from the areas in which the tour worked, the feedback has been very positive."

Simon Hards, CWB Country manager for Uganda, said: "The team showed boundless enthusiasm throughout the trip and we look forward to heading back to Uganda in September.

"It was great to see the project at work on the ground and it is no surprise the feedback has been so positive."

The most recent project to has just arrived back in the UK after spending two weeks in Botswana, more details on this will be published on the CWB website shortly.

In summary, Richard Thurston said: "As a charity we feel passionate about the need to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS because it's growing at an alarming rate.

"Hopefully this will give the young adults and young kids ample knowledge to make informed decisions when they grow up about sex, abstaining, using protection and being faithful."