MADISON, Wis. — When thinking about those in poverty around the world, we often forget that they have the same interests and hobbies as everyone else. Basketball is played by at least 250 million people worldwide in an organized fashion, and countless others play “pick-up games” every day. Some of those people, like Ben McLemore, start in poverty, but make it all the way to the professional leagues. Here are some pictures that combine basketball and poverty, pictures of people who might just enjoy basketball as much as, or even more than, you!
1. MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Children play basketball along railroad tracks bounded by shanty houses.
Source: Great Lost
2. BALTIMORE, Md. – A boy shoots a basketball into a makeshift basket made from a milk crate and attached to a vacant row house.
Source: AP
3. PORT-AU-PRINCE, HAITI – Young Haitians practice basketball at L’Athlétique d’Haiti in the Bel Air slums.
Source: Flickr
4. CEBU, PHILIPPINES – Children play basketball in the slums of Cebu.
Source: Flickr
5. CARACAS, VENEZUELA – A basketball court at the base of the slum of St. Augustin, where “consejo comunals,” or community councils, have helped secure government funding for youth programs and housing support.
Source: Pulitzer Center
6. CAPE COAST, GHANA – A nonprofit organization called Hoops Care International actively refurbishes courts and builds new ones for children and teenagers in Africa.
Source: Courts of the World
7. DOMIZ REFUGEE CAMP, IRAQ – Two-time NBA champion and UNICEF Spain Ambassador, Pau Gasol, has returned from a visit to the camp, where he met with Syrian refugee children.
Source: UNICEF
8. BATSUMBER, MONGOLIA – A teenager practices basketball near the village of Batsumber.
Source: National Geographic
9. DOMINICAN REPUBLIC – Children in the DR
Source: Flickr
10. MANILA, PHILIPPINES – Groups gather in the streets of Manila to enjoy a game of basketball.
Source: Flickr
Sources: Fact Monster, ESPN
Feature Image: Flickr