I have been spat on the face for the colour of my skin in different countries
where I've experienced racism in more ways than I would like.
Sarah Chan is the first woman to manage African scouting for…
a team in the NBA – the world’s top professional basketball league.
Being the first African woman to manage NBA scouting on the continent,
it’s a huge responsibility.
Sports is the future of Africa, it's the weapon of Africa
especially for the girls.
It's very important that they see somebody like them doing this.
Sarah grew up in Sudan…
but fled to Kenya with her family during the civil war.
Some of the challenges were being woken up at night
by pickups and men, unknown men
that were demanding for dad to step out
and mum would always come in between.
Our parents just continued to look for greener pastures,
hence landing a scholarship to a school in Kenya,
which was the first place that we actually could enjoy the right of playing sports
because back in Sudan, due to the religious beliefs,
sports and seeing a girl or a woman in shorts was a taboo.
Sarah went on to become a professional basketball player…
competing across Africa and Europe.
I remember 2012 was the first time I actually had gone back
to South Sudan, when South Sudan was a country.
And I saw some of the injustices that I felt against women
and I cried for way too long.
And it got to a point where I was done crying and I needed to find out what I could do
to contribute towards making some things right.
Because I mean I'm these kids, they're me,
and without the support of different people, I wouldn't be where I am.
Sarah has survived sexual abuse…
and says mentoring the next generation has helped her heal.
In the beginning I was in denial
that such traumas and rape doesn't happen to six foot two girls
and it makes you feel
just worthless and helpless and bitter.
I had to start by forgiving,
which was one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my life.
How I give back is through Home at Home Foundation and doing the little that we can.
I’ve experienced racism.
And that’s why I love mentoring
because without the foundation of what my family instilled in me,
I wouldn’t have been able to withstand all of that.
Our first girl, we are very proud of her, our pioneer
from Kakuma refugee camp, graduated from Riara University
and she's now back in South Sudan looking for jobs.
In fact, it's my hope that [basket]ball gets to the point
where there's a Women Basketball African League
that is a platform just like it is now for the men.
That is my dream for these girls, that they're not limited by culture.
That they're free and liberated in their minds,
and can chase their dreams.