Hope4Kids Foundation

Week 04: IOC Young Leaders as Social Entrepreneurs

✨ Three Outcomes for the Hope4Kids Foundation:

• Empowerment through Skill Development: We equip kids with life skills and self-confidence by teaching sports and teamwork.

• Enhanced Education Access: We use sports as a means to keep children engaged in educational programs.

• Promote Social Inclusion and Well-being: We foster a welcoming environment where children from diverse backgrounds can connect and develop positively.

One key takeaway from testing out the human centered design approach for our Hope4Kids Foundation project is understanding the importance of listening to the kids and their families from the start. This approach allows us to tailor sports and educational programs that really resonate with our community, creating a stronger connection and greater engagement. It’s amazing how simple, direct conversations can reveal insights that drive more effective and inclusive initiatives.

Week 03: Designing Value-based Projects

Sustainability, gender equity, and inclusion are the core pillars of Hope4Kids Foundation’s mission. By focusing on environmental sustainability, we teach kids the importance of protecting our planet while using eco-friendly resources for our sports activities. Emphasizing gender equity ensures that every child, regardless of gender, feels equally valued and empowered to participate. Through inclusion, we create a safe space for kids of all backgrounds and abilities to thrive. Together, these pillars build a community where sports become a tool for lasting positive impact, shaping resilient and responsible future leaders.


Athlete365 IOC Young Leaders

Week 02: IOC Young Leaders as Community Members, Part of the Purpose-led Olympic Partnerships

Meet Joseph Ogbonnaya, a 2022 Teach For Nigeria Alumnus and Changemaker, who is now a Coach/Leadership Development Manager at Teach For Nigeria. He used sport, especially football, to tackle educational inequality and inequity in Ogun Waterside, an underserved community in Ogun State, Nigeria. Through football, he built a programme that not only engaged young people but also taught them vital life skills like teamwork, resilience, and discipline.

By partnering with local schools, NGOs, and passionate volunteers, such as the Agape Life Project and HH MSII SDG among others, Coach Joseph Ogbonnaya created a supportive environment where young people could find purpose, learn, and grow. His vision and collaboration made the "Sportivate Foundation (Project Sportivate) a success, showing the powerful role of sport in driving positive change.

One of the initiatives that has truly impacted me is the work we’re doing at Hope4Kids Foundation, where we use sports as a tool to empower children in underserved communities. By combining education with football and other activities, we’re not only teaching teamwork and leadership, but also creating opportunities for these kids to break the cycle of poverty. Through sports, they learn discipline, resilience, and the importance of fair play – skills that will shape their futures.

I believe sport has the power to drive real social change and contribute to the SDGs, especially in promoting quality education and equality. Let’s keep using the power of sports to make a difference!

IOC Young Leaders