In 2008 I had the privilege to coach a large group of Karen and Burmese children at a refugee camp in Thailand, where they had fled from Myanmar due to violations of their human rights by the Burmese army, violent removal of their land and forced labor.  We did basketball clinics for all ages, trained young coaches on how to continue the lessons, brought a van full of basketballs, and saw a smile on every face – the most genuine smiles I’ve seen in my life. 

For the past three years, High Five Hope has held multi-month basketball and volleyball programs for street children in Manila, Philippines. You can find the blog and photos from our 2008 event here.  

The blog and photos from our 2009 event can be found here.
 

High Five Hope is an effort to help more children experience greater self esteem, confidence, pride, leadership, teamwork and most importantly, happiness and hope through the power of basketball.  Every child deserves the opportunity to develop, to smile, and to have greater hope.  Help us bring a little more hope to children around the world through the magic of hoops.
 

Tham Hin Refugee Camp

Click here for a slide show of the 2008 Tham Hin Refugee Camp visit

Hope Festival 2008

Click here to see a slide show of the 2008 Hope Festival

Hope Festival 2009

Click here to read a recap and see photos from the 2009 Hope Festival