MY BARIKA
An association using sport and education to create lasting opportunities for young people.
Why MY BARIKA exists
Barika means blessing. I grew up in Natitingou, in northern Benin, where my mother supported her family through her sewing workshop without ever having sat in a classroom. Every franc she earned went to keeping her children in school. A basketball scholarship then carried me from her courtyard to the United States, to Villanova and on to nine professional seasons in Europe.
I founded MY BARIKA in 2018 to turn that debt into something useful: an association that uses sport and education to give young people in Benin the structure, the confidence and the opportunities that changed my own life.
What we do
Four pillars, one conviction: talent is everywhere, opportunity is not.
- Education. Scholarships and academic support, so that school never depends on a family's hardest month.
- Sport. Basketball camps in Natitingou and across Benin, open to girls and boys alike, where the game teaches discipline, teamwork and self-respect.
- Voice and leadership. Les Voix de Demain, our national public-speaking program, gives students a stage and the confidence to hold it.
- Athlete transition. Panels and mentoring, like the "Pro et après ?" event in Cotonou, to help athletes prepare for the career that begins after the final whistle.
Impact so far
Since 2018, MY BARIKA has mentored more than 500 young people, awarded academic scholarships to high-potential students, run basketball camps across Benin, and brought together more than ten sponsors and over 50,000 euros in funding and equipment. In July 2025, with the support of Benin's Ministry of Sports, the association hosted the "Pro et après ?" panel in Cotonou, where African sports legends discussed life after the final whistle. And this is only the warm-up.
How you can help
MY BARIKA moves forward thanks to volunteers, partners and donors who believe a ball and a book can change a trajectory.
- Give. Donations fund scholarships, equipment and camps. Support MY BARIKA on HelloAsso.
- Volunteer. Coaches, teachers, mentors and organizers are welcome, in France and in Benin. Write to us through the contact page.
- Partner. Federations, schools, companies and foundations: we build programs with measurable outcomes and report on every project. See current programs at mybarika.org.
Discover the association
Explore MY BARIKA's programs, impact and ways to support or join the movement.
Visit mybarika.org
Four programs, one commitment
From N'Dali to Parakou, MY BARIKA works through four connected pillars: education, sport, public speaking and support for athletes preparing for their next career. Each program turns potential into practical opportunity.