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Elvis Nshimba: Building Communities, through Sport

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When Elvis Nshimba founded the Umoja Sport Foundation, he wasn’t just starting an organization—he was crafting a legacy. A legacy rooted in resilience, innovation, and a belief in the transformative power of sports. In a world fraught with division and inequality, Elvis’s vision is to harness the energy of the game to educate, empower, and unite communities.

Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Elvis grew up in an environment where hardship was the rule, not the exception. His very existence is a testament to perseverance. After a harrowing birth and early health challenges, Elvis defied the odds, driven by a steadfast belief that education was his ticket to a brighter future. It wasn’t just about personal success; Elvis knew that his triumphs could ripple outward, uplifting his family and community.

Fast forward to today, and that belief has blossomed into Umoja Sport Foundation, an initiative touching lives across Africa. The Foundation blends sports, education, and economic empowerment, creating a robust framework for tackling some of the continent’s most pressing challenges, from gender-based violence (GBV) to unemployment and lack of education.

From the Classroom to the Pitch

Elvis’s journey began in the classroom, where he earned a degree in English and African Culture from the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique de Lubumbashi. After graduating in 2007, he worked as a teacher and translator across industries. But it was at the Malaika Foundation that Elvis found his true calling. Rising from teacher to Programs and Evaluation Manager, he implemented initiatives that brought clean water, vocational training, and education to the Kalebuka community.

This experience was a turning point. It honed Elvis’s leadership skills and deepened his understanding of how to drive sustainable change. Under his leadership, 11 wells were constructed, providing life-sustaining water to thousands. Programs in entrepreneurship, IT, sewing, and even mechanical engineering flourished. His ability to align resources with community needs highlighted his acumen for strategic planning and implementation. Yet, it was the partnership with Coaches Across Continents (CAC) that ignited his passion for sports as a tool for development. Through this initiative Elvis leveraged sports to drive conversations around the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), further sharpening his focus on scalable impact.

With CAC, Elvis became an accredited coach and led sessions that used sports to address critical issues like gender inequality and climate action. The soccer pitch became a classroom, the ball a teaching tool, and the game a metaphor for life’s challenges. These sessions laid the groundwork for Umoja Sport, where sports aren’t just games but pathways to empowerment.

“Sport is universal,” Elvis says. “It breaks barriers, opens dialogues, and unites people in ways that words often cannot.”

Building Umoja

Starting Umoja Sport wasn’t easy, it required entrepreneurial grit. With no budget and a family to support, Elvis made the difficult decision to leave his job. “To fully commit to Umoja Sport, I made the difficult decision to resign from my job. This choice put my family’s stability at risk and threatened my children’s education, but my heart urged me to stay steadfast,” he recalls. “Despite the doubts from some who advised me to give up or postpone my plans, and those who predicted my failure, I remained focused on my vision.”

Recognizing sports as more than recreation, Elvis established Umoja Sport Foundation as a platform for socio-economic transformation. His determination attracted a team of young, passionate volunteers who shared his vision. Together, they built Umoja Sport from the ground up, creating a safe space for young people to learn, grow, and thrive. Today, the organization works with over 60 schools in Greater Katanga, impacting thousands of lives through sports-based education.

Tackling Gender Inequality

One of Umoja Sport’s flagship programs addresses gender-based violence, an endemic issue in many communities. Through innovative curricula, the Foundation teaches participants to identify unsafe spaces, advocate for their rights, and challenge harmful norms.

“We firmly believe in the transformative power of sport to address social issues. We utilize sport as an educational tool that extends beyond traditional classrooms leveraging its influence to teach our community about gender equality and equity.” Elvis notes.

Initially, cultural barriers posed challenges. Many parents feared that sports would make their daughters “masculine” or diminish their future prospects. Undeterred, Elvis and his team brought the program to families’ doorsteps, inviting mothers to participate. These mothers became the program’s biggest advocates, encouraging their daughters to join. Today, Umoja Sport empowers hundreds of young girls to stand tall, say no to violence, and embrace leadership roles.

The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is home to over 250 ethnic groups, each with unique perceptions of gender roles. Umoja Sport Foundation also faces challenges teaching about gender-based violence (GBV) due to cultural norms. Limited awareness among children, especially girls, about GBV and unsafe spaces requires foundational education, which is harder to achieve in short visits compared to long-term engagement. Additionally, parental support is essential, as many parents are hesitant about discussing GBV with their children

“Umoja Sport empowers hundreds of young girls to stand tall, say no to violence, and embrace leadership roles,” Elvis reflects.

Women play a pivotal role in Umoja’s programs, driving social change through mentorship, leadership, and community engagement. Guided by its gender inclusion policy, Umoja ensures representation at all levels, from participants to board members.

Beyond the Pitch

Umoja Sport isn’t just about sports; it’s about creating holistic change. The “My Health, My Right” program educates girls on menstrual health and provides menstrual cups, enabling them to attend school with confidence. Partnering with “Could You Cups,” Umoja distributes menstrual cups to empower girls and boost attendance in schools. For many, these interventions have been life-changing, reducing absenteeism and fostering self-esteem.

“Through our educational initiatives, participants gain knowledge about general human rights and women’s rights, including sexual and reproductive health rights. This understanding helps shift attitudes towards harmful traditional norms that contribute to gender-based violence, promoting a more equitable community.”
Elvis’s commitment to inclusivity extends to individuals with disabilities. Umoja’s adaptive sports programs challenge stereotypes and promote equality, proving that everyone deserves a chance to play, learn, and lead.

“Sports has the power to unite people, and we use it as a bait to attract people. Through adaptive sports programs, we challenge stereotypes and promote equality, proving that everyone deserves a chance to play, learn, and lead,” Elvis emphasizes.

A Vision for the Future

Elvis’s work has taken him across Africa, from Zambia, South Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Tanzania to Nigeria, where he’s seen the transformative power of sport firsthand. He dreams of a future where every child, regardless of their circumstances, has access to education and opportunities to succeed.

“Sport is a catalyst,” he says. “It’s not just about winning games; it’s about winning lives, building futures, and creating a better world.”

Through Umoja Sport Foundation, Elvis Nshimba isn’t just changing the game—he’s rewriting the rules. His story is a powerful reminder that with vision, passion, and perseverance, even the most ambitious dreams can become reality.

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