Refugee basketball academy RBA

Imara Basketball Camp

The Imara Basketball Camp, organized by the Refugee Basketball Academy (RBA), empowers refugee and vulnerable youth through basketball, mentorship, and life skills.

“Imara” means strength and resilience. The camp creates a safe space where young refugees and host community players develop basketball skills, build confidence, and learn values like discipline, teamwork, and leadership.

Beyond sports, the camp encourages refugees to dream big and change their mindset. Many young refugees believe that resettlement is the only way to change their lives, yet this process can take more than 15 years. Imara Camp helps them discover local opportunities, develop their talents, and think about sustainable ways to build their future.

The camp has already been implemented in Kyaka II Refugee Camp, where more than 100 youth were trained. A great achievement from this camp is that 6 young players received scholarships through different schools and connections, showing that with the right support everything is possible.

We aim to expand the Imara Camp to other refugee camps to continue accomplishing the mission of the Refugee Basketball Academy.

Special thanks to , , and , as well as all partners, coaches, and volunteers who made this initiative possible..

In memory of every woman who lost her life due to conflict, violence, and insecurity.
We stand together with all women and girls around the world.

Happy International Women’s Day — in advance

In memory of every woman who lost her life due to conflict, violence, and insecurity.
We stand together with all women and girls around the world.

On this International Women’s Day, we honor the courage, dignity, and resilience of refugee women and mothers who continue to rise despite challenges.

🏀 Play for Her. Stand for Her. Unite for Her.

Join us on March 14 for our Women in Basketball Day a moment of unity, strength, and hope.

UMOJA NI NGUVU — Unity is Strength.

🏀🔥 First Tournament Game – Imara Basketball Camp, Kyaka 🔥🏀

The first game of the tournament we organized at Imara Basketball Camp in Kyaka was more than just a match.

It was a moment of hope.
A moment of unity.
A moment that reminded us why we started.

These young players showed passion, discipline, and resilience on the court. Despite the challenges they face, their talent and determination were shining. The energy, the teamwork, and the smiles said everything.

This was not just basketball.
It was empowerment.
It was opportunity.
It was the beginning of something bigger.

We are proud of every single player who stepped on that court. This was just the start and the future looks bright.

🌙 Ramadan Kareem! 🌙

The Refugee Basketball Academy wishes all its players, families, and supporters a blessed month filled with peace, reflection, and solidarity. May this Ramadan inspire us to grow together, support those in need, and celebrate strength and hope within our community.

🏀✨ Let’s keep dreaming, playing, and supporting each other, both on and off the court.

#ʀᴀᴍᴀᴅᴀɴᴋᴀʀᴇᴇᴍ

After the theory session of the Imara Camp, we moved to the basketball court to put learning into action. The session focused on basic basketball skills such as dribbling, passing, shooting, and defensive positioning. The coaches demonstrated each exercise with discipline and energy, encouraging the players to stay focused and work as a team. With more than 100 young participants on the court, the intensity was high, but the spirit was even higher. It was not just about basketball it was about building confidence, leadership, and teamwork. The atmosphere showed growth, resilience, and the true meaning of development through sport.

Imara – Part 2

In the morning, we walked to town.
We went to the salon to get ready, and then we went to see the players.
That’s where we started our mentorship.

During this time, we introduced our program with a short presentation, motivation, and career guidance.
The team shared their own experiences to help the players understand the journey.

One important thing we focused on was discipline and guidance.
We often see players get a scholarship and only focus on basketball, forgetting about school and their future. Sometimes, after becoming popular, they think about leaving a good opportunity for quick money, even when it doesn’t fully support their needs. This usually happens because of a lack of guidance, role models, and bad influence.

Through this mentorship, we encouraged the players to stay disciplined, value their education, and make wise decisions.
We talked about dreaming big, believing in themselves, and understanding that they can achieve great things with the right mindset and support.

Passion pushed us to go further… 🔥
We tried risky moves, we failed sometimes, but we always made do with what we had. Organizing the Imara Basketball Camp wasn’t easy – long night drives, road troubles, and more than 6 hours on the road.

By midnight, after everything, we finally made it. Exhausted, ready to sleep… but proud, knowing we set up something special for the youth in kyaka II . 💪🏀
This is what passion looks like. AND WE Didn’t make it up to Ruwamwaja but next trip will be there.

We are on a mission to empower refugee youth through the power of basketball.
The Imara Basketball Camp meets young people where they are in refugee camps—listens to their challenges, and actively works to create pathways to higher education.
To support this journey, we provide practical resources: sports shoes for our tournament champions and educational books for every participant.
Our core message is simple: You are seen, you are valued, and your right to education is non-negotiable.

For so many, this place was more than just a shelter—it was a community, a temporary home, and a testament to human resilience. As this chapter ends, my thoughts are with the uncertain journeys that lie ahead for its residents.

This closure pushed me to think deeply about a question that often gets overlooked: what happens to the right to learn after survival is secured?

That’s why I made a video titled: “The Unreachable Classroom: The Relentless Challenges Refugees Face in Accessing Education.”

In it, I talk about the very real, often invisible, walls that stand between refugee children, youth, and adults and their education:

· The Legal & Physical Wall: No schools nearby, or impossible enrollment without the right documents.
· The Language Barrier: Having to relearn everything in a new language just to follow a lesson.
· The Trauma & Instability: How do you focus on a textbook when your world has been shattered?
· Economic Pressure: The urgent need to work to survive, which overrides the right to study.
· The Digital Divide: No way to access remote learning without a connection or a device.

Education isn’t a privilege. It’s a fundamental human right. More importantly, it’s the primary tool for rebuilding a life—for dignity, autonomy, and hope. It’s what breaks the cycle of dependency.

The closure of Imara isn’t the end of the story, but the beginning of a new, difficult path. By talking about education, I wanted to shine a light on this ongoing, quiet struggle.

This morning, our 6AM Program took place on the hill, where discipline, consistency, and hard work come before comfort.

At 6AM, while most people are still asleep, our players are already training building not only their physical strength, but also their mental toughness, focus, and commitment.

The 6AM Program is designed for athletes who want more:
• more discipline
• more time to improve
• more responsibility for their future

This is where character is built.
This is where dreams are shaped.

No excuses. Just work.