The New York Times has described the Central African Republic as “one of the worst places in the world to live.” But OneHope is working to change that with a basketball in one hand and a Bible in the other.
At the request of the local government, OneHope, a ministry committed to understanding the harsh realities youth face around the world and to sharing God’s love with them, is working with the nation’s basketball team on a unique outreach. The program aims to help make life more tolerable for children in the Central African Republic by reigniting their love for a sport that once united the country.
“These people have seen so much pain and turmoil in recent years,” says OneHope president Rob Hoskins. “We’re launching this basketball program to bring hope and encouragement to the country’s youth. We want them to simply enjoy being kids and having fun.”
Basketball has an impressive history in the Central African Republic. The country won the African Championship twice—first in 1974 against Senegal and again in 1987 after defeating Egypt. However, in recent years, civil war has ravaged the Central African Republic. Kids who would have been shooting basketball ended up shooting guns as child soldiers.
Along with the Central African Republic National Basketball Team, OneHope is teaming up with former Florida State University basketball star Adrian Crawford and a mission team from Connection Pointe Christian Church in Indiana. They will work together conducting basketball clinics for hundreds of kids in the nation’s capital of Bangui.
Designed for varying ages and skill levels, OneHope’s basketball program will teach fundamentals of the game, build skills, develop teamwork, instill character and bring hope to the hurting children of the Central African Republic by sharing the message of the Bible.
