World Vision Canada and the Canadian Football League have come together in hopes of strengthening the voices of not only our advocates but also girls, boys and communities in the most dangerous places. We invited six of Canada’s favourite footballers to East Africa to educate them on our programs and their impact.  

For BC Lions linebacker Boseko Lokombo, his trip to Kenya was personal. “My mother always reminds me not only of how lucky we are but how a lot of kids, a lot of boys and girls, are struggling. She always keeps me humble, to be grateful and remember the work that I need to do, and my family needs to do, to continue bettering our lives. It was a personal trip for me because I am a son of Africa,” says Lokombo.

Little did he know, the path of a young boy would completely touch his heart, leading him to bring back an added piece of inspiration to his fans and peers.

Upon landing in Kenya, incredibly hot temperatures and dry, dusty surroundings were the norms over the next few days. The journey began with a visit to the refugee camp community of Kakuma, in the northwestern part of Kenya. There, Lokombo and his fellow World Vision Canada player ambassadors visited the Kakuma Peace Club, one of our program bases, to learn from the program leader about the role both faith and soccer (European football) play in fostering peace within the young community. It was here a young boy named Boyd, from South Sudan, would inspire the heart of Lokombo.

Boyd, at just 12 years old, was the older brother to two younger boys who were forced to flee their home, alone without parents or guardians, due to the turmoil of war. Boyd led his brothers across the deserted lands to World Vision’s Kakuma Peace Club, where he grew up to become a great soccer player. Now 19 years old, Boyd has paid for his high school education through sport – thanks to the Kakuma Peace Club, an example of our transformational work.

This story struck Lokombo – that one child could have that much strength to lead his younger brothers to safety and a better future, all while witnessing the turmoil one couldn’t even imagine.

Lokombo described the trip to Kenya as a “profound and incredible experience”  during an interview with CTV News upon his arrival back. The footballer was originally born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, one of World Vision’s fragile areas, before migrating to Canada as a youngster. He went on to express his admiration for not only the support World Vision provides to boys and girls, but also adults and entire communities.

“To see the kids and how they greeted us, and to see the support they [World Vision] provide for women. It was just awesome,” says Lokombo.

Upon returning from Kenya, Lokombo is inspired to keep advocating for the rights of children as a CFL World Vision Ambassador. Stay tuned for the upcoming CFL season, as he continues partnering with World Vision. In the meantime, learn how we’re working with local staff and community leaders in 37 counties in Kenya to provide children with better access to schools and healthcare.