“You have everything that you need to get to the next level. All you have to do is look inward. Because all you have to succeed is in your DNA, if you CHOOSE to work!”  These are the words our youth are hearing at Giants Of Africa (GOA) basketball camps, one of the best initiatives I’ve experienced.

For the 2nd year in a row, I had the opportunity to see GOA team at work, empowering Rwanda’s youth with more than basketball skills.  The Team is led by Masai Ujiri, President of Toronto Raptors Basketball Operations, who’s also the founder and includes players, coaches, scouts in the NBA.  As they teach basketball, they also spend time mentoring participants and calling them higher to be responsible upright citizens, who can make something of themselves and contribute to their community, country and Africa’s development.  It is always great to have our youth equipped with a skill and most importantly inspired to DREAM BIG, BE and DO better for themselves, the community and country. 

It is always a joy to watch, and find myself tearing up seeing the big smiles, knowing  this experience shall shine a lasting light in these young minds.  What’s best is the passion GOA team have, their hearts are in the work right from the top with Masai. 
Since it’s founding, GOA have undoubtedly lived up to their mission to use basketball to educate and enrich the lives of African youth.  They’ve been to numerous African countries and are working their way to each one of the nations in our Union.  Today they have developed players at local, national, international and professional levels.  A seed planted by Masai and many African basketball player’s favorite coach, the famous OBJ has now grown to become a powerful movement.  

More at giantsofafrica.org.  

In Rwanda, this year marked their 3rd consecutive year of hosting the camp, where players get gear and get the best coaching.  This year was extra special as GOA delivered a much needed and wonderfully Club Rafiki basketball court in Kigali’s most vibrant surburb, Nyamirambo.  Court was officially opened by President Paul Kagame and Masai in event attended by Ministers of Youth, Sports and Education and the President of NBA Africa. 

10 years ago, Masai played and taught at Club Rafiki, his first stop on that visit through Basketball without borders.  It is great to see he returned to make sure our youth had a better place to play, and our basketball association to have a great example of what we must do.  We had the pleasure of enjoying a friendly game on this newly minted court, which ended with a thrilling 3 pointer.  

All photos by photographers, Kevin Couliau @asphaltchronicles & Jamal Burger @jayscale.

After Rwanda GOA continued on to inspire youth in Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, Senegal and Ivory Coast through basketball.  They  also visited Dadaab while in Kenya to give hope to the youth, encouraging them to Dream Big and in spite their circumstances, they too can make something of themselves.  

One particular moment moved me to tears when a coach told participants in Kenya:

“You’re alive! Right now there’s someone dying in South Sudan that’s your age. Someone who’s been recruited into the militia to go fight against their cousins. You have your feet, you have your hands, you have everything that you need to get to the next level.  All you have to do is look inward.  Because all you have to succeed is in your DNA, if you CHOOSE to work! It is ALL in THE WORK, there’s no magic to it. No body will come and tell you, here it is it is a scholarship.  You have to work, let them see that.  It take everyday, it takes every information to make you the man that you will become tomorrow!”

This message is POWERFUL because success starts with each of us making the choice to pursue it.  GOA is instilling hope and self belief in Africa’s youth which can only yield self value/dignity what we call AGACIRO in Rwanda. 

Imagine the possibilities if the African Union joined forces with Giants of Africa to inspire millions of Africa’s youth.  The best way is to invest in making sure we make a part of ALL school curriculum and put sports infrastructure to our schools.  Parents, private sector and government can join forces to make it happen.  

Thank you Giants of Africa for leading the way with a great example.  I am certain such a foundation of dignity, hope and skills can and shall transform many lives.