by Laura Knight
As most of you know, I have the privilege of traveling to Nigeria often as part of my role with A2S—and while I’m used to the routine by now, every trip brings something new into focus.
Jumping back a little, I think it’s important for you all to know that while A2S’s approach to programming was a huge pull to get me involved, it was basketball that hooked me. We can say the same for many of our kids. They “come for basketball” but “stay for empowerment camp”. I was excited to hear Andrew’s story so many years ago because he played basketball for Davidson. I stayed when I understood the impact of what he was doing for his community.
I’ve always loved basketball. I played growing up and through college (and contrary to belief around the office, yes, club basketball counts for something, even if it isn’t Division I 🙂), then later moved into coaching after injuries got in the way. If I’m not at the A2S office, you’ll often find me assisting with the high school women’s team at the Community School of Davidson.
My first trip to Nigeria in 2018 began with a basketball camp, and since then I’ve been trying to get back on a basketball-focused trip. This year’s Basketball & Empowerment Camp finally delivered. Just like in 2018, the energy from the kids hit you like a wall of joy as you entered the sports hall at Uniben.
So much felt familiar—I skipped around like a little kid jumping into drills, asking kids questions during empowerment camp, marveling at the talent and creativity shared throughout the week’s activities – but the lens with which I saw it all had changed.
I joined the A2S staff in 2021. In my final interview with Andrew, we sat at a table at Toast on Main Street. Andrew pulled out his notebook and began to scrawl out a map of A2S’s future. He said “we’ll finish our Youth Center, but then our kids will need a place to play, and maybe also have some job training programs. Then from there we’ll build businesses and focus on revenue generation so A2S can live sustainably beyond any kind of shift in giving we might see on the U.S. side of things…”
The box he drew next to the Youth Center is what we now call the OWA Center. I don’t know if I said it, but I at least thought really loudly: can I start now?
Back in Nigeria this year, I saw everything through a different lens. The concrete court with divots here and there hadn’t phased me before. We were working with what was available, and my young joints could handle running around without fear. This time, I was careful. I chose when I could jump in and when I had to sit back.
One moment in particular stood out to me as I sat back. I was under one of the uprights at the baseline in the sports hall, watching the kids warm up. 400 kids were on the court together; stretching, jumping, and getting ready for the day. As they did so, a cloud of dust rose over the crowd. I watched it for a minute and thought to myself “not for much longer”. I know what A2S has planned, and it doesn’t involve spraying the court down during time outs and between games to keep kids from slipping.
That building that Andrew drew on the paper next to the youth center, the one he pointed to and said, “a place for our kids to play, and maybe do some job training,” will change the way these kids access play in the very near future. The ground that I stood on and prayed with team after team is now cleared. The foundation is almost complete, and a place our kids will call “OWA” is underway.
“Owa” in Bini means “Home.” In 2022, our staff in Benin City named the future building what the community already calls A2S: Home.
I stood on the foundation on this trip and looked around. It took me back to the first time I saw the Youth Center and couldn’t believe that something so big and so solid could be on that land we prayed over – even though we had talked about it for so long.
OWA will expand that vision: a place for kids to play, learn, work, and be served in mind, body, and spirit. Entrepreneurs will create jobs, students will gain skills, and youth will have clearer paths forward.
It will take time, effort, and resources to finish, but I can see it becoming reality within a year if our community rallies together.
On this trip, I also heard clearly the challenges that remain. Scholars are worried about jobs after graduation. Basketball campers are finishing school but unsure of next steps. Community members see the impact of our work but also the gaps we can’t yet fill. And I keep thinking: not for much longer.
As I reflect, I also think of all of you. Not everyone gets to see A2S in person, and I’m deeply grateful for those who give sacrificially to support our youth regardless.
I hope you can see this vision too—and consider being part of not for much longer with us. We have solutions and momentum, but we need help to bring them to life.
If you came for the basketball (or something else) and stayed for what A2S is building in Benin City, give me a call. I’m ready when you are. 🙂
