When war broke out in South Sudan in 2015, 15-year-old Lich Gatkoi and his brother fled their home in Nyal. They crossed the border into Kenya, into uncertainty, into Kakuma. At the time, they had nothing but a phone to keep in touch with their family, and when that phone went dead for seven days, they were unreachable, alone, and afraid. But even in the midst of fear, Lich held onto one thing: the possibility of change.
In Kenya, he found something he hadn’t expected: a chance. He joined school, learned the system, and tried to rebuild. Being a refugee came with the weight of exclusion, but Kenya allowed him a shot at life. That act of inclusion lit a fire in him, to create a world where everyone gets a chance, no matter where they come from or what they’ve lost.
That fire became the Refugee Basketball Initiative, launched on August 10, 2020. It wasn’t just about basketball. It was about possibility. Lich started with a belief: discipline and consistency could transform lives. He knew the kids in Kakuma, both refugees and host community members, deserved more than just survival. They deserved a platform to dream, grow, and lead.
Basketball, for him, was the perfect metaphor. Everyone gets a chance to score. Every possession is an opportunity. You just have to keep bouncing forward.
Everyone gets a chance to score. Every possession is an opportunity.
Lich Gatkoi
Under Lich’s leadership, the initiative has grown from 150 participants to over 370 young people driven by commitment, hope, and community. With support from the Amahoro Coalition, they’ve been able to acquire equipment, run mentorship sessions, and build a training program grounded in discipline. More than 21 players have earned scholarships in Kenya, and two have gone abroad—one to Chicago, another to Florida.
You are not stuck. You are just starting. The world may not see what you’re building right now, but keep going. Keep bouncing forward.
Lich Gatkoi
The initiative has captured international attention, drawing interest from organizations such as NBA Africa, UNHCR, FIBA, and more. Starting on a dusty court in Kakuma, Lich was one of 22 athletes featured in UNHCR’s Refugee Athletes Paris Exhibition in 2024. The Refugee Basketball Initiative is no longer just a camp project. It’s a movement.
Lich’s dream is to build an African-led sports organization that opens doors for refugees and youth across the continent. He envisions a future where refugee athletes coach national teams, where young people once displaced become national heroes—not because they were handed everything, but because they were given a chance.
