Augustine "Gus" Chikamba

Gus arrived in the United States in 2000 after working for GTZ, a German Agency for Technical Cooperation, a not-for-profit organization in Zimbabwe. To date, through his philanthropic work Gus is actively involved in using basketball & sport as a game changers to impart habit success patterns, modify behavior among needy kids in Africa and help keep them in school & further their education. A Message From The Founders: Breaking the poverty cycle in Africa has to start from within. Its going to take more than just hand-outs or freebies to the African community. Our philosophy is based on an innovative comprehensive sustainable grassroots approach that focusses on getting kids excited about sport, life, themselves, become confident and showing them that the world cares. We believe that, once we captivate their interest, it then becomes easier to begin to address and solve the social issues affecting the continent. The existing gap in the dissemination of information on social issues like HIV/AIDS and the importance of staying in school must be eliminated by placing equal emphasis on educating & empowering the younger generation. The flawed societal misconceptions that deny girls equal educational & leadership opportunities in several African communities must be corrected in order to build civil and successful communities. A lot of good work has been invested in educating the adult populated about these social matters but more must be done to build the "HIV Infection Fire Wall" needed to future proof these kids against the possibility of falling victim to the epidemic. In 2009, my wife & I decided to take it upon ourselves to make a difference in the lives of these needy kids' lives. With the help of our friends from the NBA Community, we founded Africa Outreach USA Foundation, an international charitable organization with the mission to empower less privileged Zimbabwean kids & transform them into contributors to their own communities. Getting started wasn't easy as it entailed using our own resources to gather/collect educational books, crayons, pencils & etc for shipment to Zimbabwe. Today, we are proud to announce that plans are underway to build low cost/low maintanance, all weather basketball infrastructure in densely neighborhoods in Zimbabwe were kids can learn/enjoy sound fundamentals of the game via trained coaches, get motivated to stay in school, learn about living an HIV free lifestyle, and become tomorrow's leaders. You too can become part of this life changing experience by becoming a volunteer, making kind donations, or becoming part of the coaching staff that travels to Zimbabwe to help kids. Your assistance is most welcome no matter how small it might seem. Thank you very much. Gus Chikamba Before founding Africa Outreach USA, & embarking on the Jack Ramsay Grassroots Basketball Development Initiative For Africa, Gus was the Business Development Consultant for Property Three Technology Group where he spearheaded new product development & strategic marketing. He was also instrumental in founding & transitioning Life Style Plus Group of Companies, into a multi-unit business enterprise where he currently serves as the Group Chairman & CEO. A marketing expert, philanthropist, business consultant, web designer and entrepreneur, Gus commands a solid business background & is well networked and connected across the globe. Gus is a graduate of the University of Zimbabwe & holds an MBA from the University of Indianapolis.