Basket4All
A Programme of Excellence in Values
Basket4All was launched in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, in 2023 with the aim of broadening learning opportunities, well-being and personal development for girls and boys aged 12 to 17 living in vulnerable contexts. Every year, 30 young people take part in our Academy of Excellence.
Our programme combines basketball, values-based education, social support and healthcare. Through regular training sessions and educational activities, we create safe spaces for learning and development where young people can strengthen their abilities, gain new skills and develop values such as discipline, responsibility, respect and teamwork, both on and off the court.
As part of their holistic development, participants in the Academy of Excellence follow a programme based on Service-Learning (SL). Since 2026, this approach has enabled them to take what they have learnt into schools across Kinshasa, where they lead educational activities and basketball sessions for younger children. In doing so, they progress from being participants in the programme to becoming agents of change and positive role models within their own communities, using basketball to share values and good practices with new generations.
Our purpose is to create opportunities for learning and growth that extend beyond the Academy of Excellence and reach the wider community. Education is the cornerstone of our work and is aligned with SDG 4: Quality Education, which guides our approach across all Xcalibur Foundation projects.
Why do we work in the Democratic Republic of the Congo?
Although access to primary education has improved, continuing in education remains a challenge for many young people across the country.
In the Democratic Republic of the Congo, around 8 million children and young people remain out of school, according to UNICEF. According to the 2023–2024 DRC Demographic and Health Survey (DHS-III), school attendance stands at around 83% at primary level but falls to 53% at secondary level.
These challenges are compounded by social and economic inequalities, which can affect educational continuity and limit young people’s access to safe spaces where they can learn, develop new skills and find positive role models.
Through Basket4All, we therefore work with adolescents at a key stage in their development. We use basketball as an educational tool and a means of promoting social cohesion to reinforce values, support their well-being and create opportunities for them to learn, grow and become role models for younger children in their communities.
Sport, Education and Leadership
At Basket4All, we use basketball as an educational tool to support the personal and social development of young people. Through our Academy of Excellence, participants take part in regular sports training sessions where, alongside improving their technical abilities, they develop values and skills such as discipline, respect, inclusion and teamwork.
What they learn on the court is complemented by social support that allows us to understand and respond to each participant’s individual circumstances. Our social worker monitors their academic and socio-economic situation, with particular attention to ensuring they remain in education. Regular school attendance and commitment to their studies are an essential part of taking part in the Academy.
To support their holistic development, we also focus on their health and well-being. Young people receive medical monitoring and nutritional support, including snacks during activities and food to supplement their diet at home. Girls also take part in menstrual health and hygiene sessions and receive the products they need to manage their periods safely and with dignity.
As participants progress through the programme, we want what they have learnt to extend beyond the Academy of Excellence itself. Through Service-Learning, young people receive specific training to prepare and lead talks, games and basketball sessions in schools across Kinshasa for children aged 5 to 10. By putting their knowledge at the service of others, they become positive role models and agents of change within their communities.
This commitment to extending the impact of Basket4All is also reflected in our Basket4All sports camps, which introduce other children and young people in Kinshasa to the programme’s methodology. During these sessions, participants have the opportunity to play basketball, learn values through sport and experience an approach to training in which education and personal development go hand in hand.
Aligning with the 2030 Goals
At the Foundation, we align our activities with several specific Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to maximise our impact and contribute to a better future. In order not to lose sight of our overall mission, the main SDG that we address in all our programmes is SDG 4: Quality Education. Specifically in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, our focus is on:
3.7 By 2030, ensure universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services, including for family planning, information and education, and the integration of reproductive health into national strategies and programmes.
3.8 Achieve universal health coverage, including financial risk protection, access to quality essential health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for all.
5.5 Ensure women’s full and effective participation and equal opportunities for leadership at all levels of decisionmaking in political, economic and public life.
8.6 By 2030, substantially reduce the proportion of youth not in employment, education or training.
Who makes Basket4All possible?
Basket4All is made possible by a network of technical, social and institutional partners who share our commitment to education, sport and the development of young people in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
On the sporting side, we work with Zentro Basket Madrid, which brings its expertise in the technical development of players and coaches through an approach that also places strong emphasis on values. Its founder and CEO, Fernando Reborio, was involved in launching the project, providing training for both the local team and participants in the Academy of Excellence. As he says, ‘We are not only training better players; we are creating better people’.
To strengthen the educational and social dimension of the programme, we work with Fondation Rawji, a Congolese organisation committed to expanding educational opportunities for children and young people. Its support makes our Service-Learning training possible, enabling Basket4All participants to share what they have learnt with younger children across Kinshasa. Through this process, the young people in the Academy of Excellence develop the skills and confidence to become role models and agents of change within their own communities. This partnership directly reflects Fondation Rawji’s mission to unlock the potential and leadership of Congolese youth through education.
The programme also benefits from the support and commitment of Alimo, Momo and OL Consult SARL, whose contributions help provide participants with the resources they need for their development. On the sporting side, we also work with the Kinshasa Provincial Basketball League (LIPROBAKIN), while at institutional level, Xcalibur Foundation’s activities in the DRC are supported by the Ministry of Sports and Leisure.
Committed to Change
At Basket4All, we are committed to creating a positive and lasting impact within the community. Through basketball and values-based education, we work to reduce inequalities and improve health and community well-being. We believe that every young person deserves the opportunity to reach their full potential, and we are committed to helping make that vision a reality.
Join us in this mission and be part of the change we want to see in the world. Together, we can build a better future for the next generation.
