MONDULI (Tanzania) – Girls cannot overcome embedded norms on their own. Collective participation is required. The same actors that sustain gender inequalities need to be active agents in the reimagination of gender roles. Family members, youth, community leaders, schools – everyone. The shift happens over time, but the initial challenge is giving girls the space to be seen and heard by these community members.
Orkeeswa Tanzania is a FIBA Foundation Propose a Project recipient using basketball as a community outreach tool for girls to be themselves and showcase strengths - with their play on the court being visible advocacy for the equal treatment of girls outside the lines.
A UNIQUE FRAMEWORK FOR PROGRESS
Orkeeswa partners with rural government-run primary schools in the Monduli District to deliver sports and life skills programming.
The partnership is mutually rewarding - primary school girls are provided with access to safe play and learning opportunities, while Orkeeswa secondary students learn to deliver programs and serve as role models in their community.
A low-cost approach to erode outdated norms and redefine gender expectations. Engaging girls in basketball activities at an earlier developmental stage normalizes their participation in sport – allowing them to be seen in a non-traditional context and embrace alternate roles, opening the doors to new horizons.
Through the Basketball For Good project, daily mini basketball activities were delivered to 9 schools, alongside lessons dedicated to teamwork, leadership development and confidence-building, focusing on topics like hygiene, problem-solving and rights and responsibilities.
To ensure all girls had an opportunity to participate, Grow the Girls Saturday sessions were included over the weekend.
Opportunities to participate in regional championships were available to more advanced players as an avenue to continue their basketball development, while also serving to increase the visibility of girls as community leaders and ambassadors.
STUDENT PARTICIPATION ENCOURAGES PERSPECTIVE CHANGE
Orkeeswa served 2,800 girls weekly through regular weekday programs and the newly implemented initiatives.
Beyond the numbers, the real impact was felt by the girls themselves as they were able to experience organized basketball for the first time, building confidence, social skills and a sense of belonging. Off the court, the integrated life skills lessons helped advance critical thinking, problem-solving and communications.
One student, Suzana, reflected on this integrated learning style, stating, “I learned to dribble, shoot and have proper follow-through,” while adding, “The outreach incorporated life skills sessions and drama activities. Through these, I learned important lessons on personal hygiene and environmental cleanliness.”
At the community level, this project helped shift perceptions around girls in sport - demonstrating to families, schools and the larger community the value of physical activity and leadership programming for girls. One community leader notes that families now “accept changes brought by education, such as girls choosing their own partners” and having agency over their own futures.
A ROSE BLOOMED FROM THE PROJECT
The story of Rose Katamboy, a Tanzanian U16 national basketball team member, demonstrates how the power of sports participation in supportive environments can create the foundation to challenge traditional gender barriers.
Just three years ago, Rose didn’t even know the name of the sport that would one day put her on national television. When she joined Orkeeswa, she gave a chance to the game and realized she was actually good at it. Despite her talent, Rose often battled self-doubt. However, her learning from Orkeeswa helped her change her mindset and overcome her struggles.
Now a national team member and outreach student-mentor, when asked what she wants girls in her community to know, Rose shared, “Not everyone gets the opportunity to discover what they are good at, and others give up when they don’t see progress. I’ve learned that speaking up is important. When I tell my coach what I need, I get the support that helps me improve. I want girls in my community to know that they can do the same.”
BUILDING ON A STRONG FOUNDATION
The Orkeeswa Outreach model ensures that girls are given safe, structured opportunities to express their individuality and champion their strengths – and that all community members are involved as witnesses. Through Propose a Project, the FIBA Foundation supports vision‑aligned initiatives such as Orkeeswa, turning the game into impact.
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The FIBA Foundation is the social and legacy arm of FIBA that addresses the role of sports and particularly basketball in society, preserving and promoting basketball’s values and its cultural heritage.
The FIBA Foundation believes that basketball has the power to empower, educate and inspire youth and facilitates this by implementing Basketball For Good projects around the world.