Drawing from his own experiences, Jessy Lukoki (32), uses football to empower children in Uganda,  reflecting his deep commitment to giving back to his community. 

Growing up in Jinja, Uganda, Jessy faced many challenges. Coming from an extended family he had to navigate life with little support. At 13, he left home to work in a camp, earning just enough to eat. “Life was tough. I had no clear path or education, but football gave me hope and a purpose,” he shares. When he reached the age of 15, his talent in football was recognized, paving the way for new opportunities. He earned a scholarship, captained his university team for three years, and even secured a spot on Uganda's National team. In 2015, driven by his encounters with children working in the local market to survive, Jessy founded the Soccer for Life Foundation.

“Every time I went to the market, I saw kids helping with bags to earn money for food. It touched my heart, and I wanted to give them a chance to change their lives. Football changed my own life by opening doors to education and opportunities, and I knew it could do the same for them.” - Jessy 

Through his foundation, Jessy has transformed the lives of 180 children of which 73 have received football scholarships for education across Uganda.

The KNVB WorldCoaches program has been a cornerstone in Jessy’s journey.“The life skills training taught me how to connect football skills with life skills, creating lasting change in my community” he explains.

By completing advanced courses, Jessy did not only became a co-instructor in the programme, but also a role model to the people surrounding him. Embarking on the path of entrepreneurship with the aim to contribute to his community, he launched a bakery business. His bakery not only generates income but also keeps children engaged in meaningful activities. Aside from Jessy, the Sport for Development program also created employment opportunities for other students, who have gone on to build careers in electronics and catering.

Jessy took invaluable lessons from his advanced level WorldCoaches courses, which enabled him to support vulnerable children facing challenges such as early pregnancy, child labor and violence. One of his examples is Kayisu Hufty Joan, an 18-year-old woman who faced significant discouragement as a girl growing up and pursuing football in Kampala. But she kept going and is now a player on Uganda’s national women’s football team. “She’s a testament to the power of football to change lives” Jessy proudly states.

The impact of the Sport for Development program creates a ripple effect through the community, with youth believing again in their potential and drawing hope from scholarships and new job opportunities to rewrite their futures.

Sport for Development empowers youth to create lasting change in their communities through the power of sports and play. This program, funded by the Dutch government, is a powerful initiative aimed at contributing to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and cultivating meaningful youth engagement and social impact on a global scale.

 
For over 20 years, the program supports a world where children and young adults actively contribute to vital communities. This not only promotes healthier lifestyles through sports and play, but also improves access to formal and informal education, gender equality, women's participation, employability and entrepreneurship. Sport for Development creates safe spaces for youth to explore and embrace their authentic selves.