How did this get started?

 

During the 2014-2015 school year, Jason Steinberg was a WorldTeach volunteer, teaching English to high school seniors and juniors on the island of Pohnpei in the Federated States of Micronesia. As a student at UNC-Chapel Hill, Jason coached 11-12 year olds on basketbal teams for 3 years in a local parks and recreation league. When he arrived in Micronesia, he was excited to hear students in class talking about pick-up games that were being played in their villages on the weekends. The students and Jason both wanted to be part of a school team that practiced regularly so they created one. With ample students wanting to play, they formed two separate teams with 37 students in total. 

 

 

Once practice started, we realized that there were a few things holding our team back. Most of our team plays barefoot or in flip flops at practice and the school can't afford jerseys, tournament fees or transportation to other schools in order for us to play games.

 

The cuts that the concrete leaves on students' feet strike a sharp contrast to the excitement in their faces. Something needs to be done. These kids deserve the game of basketball, and they deserve to play it in a safe, respectful and competitive way. 

 

That is where Micronesia Wants Basketball comes in. We are committed to giving as many students as possible the privilege of playing safe and competitive basketball. 

 

Basketball can change someone's life. No one deserves to be turned away from a game of basketball because they don't have a pair of sneakers.