Building Dreams from Plastic Bags: John Paul’s Journey to Empower Tanzania Through Volleyball

The sound of laughter echoes across a dusty field in Kilimanjaro. Children chase a ball made from plastic bags and sisal ropes — that's their homemade volleyball. Among them is a young boy named John Paul, who would one day turn this simple game into a mission to connect his community to the world.

From Improvised Games to a Lifelong Passion

John first discovered volleyball at the age of seven in his home village. With no proper equipment, John and his friends made their own balls and played every chance they could. What started as a fun evening activity, encouraged by his mother’s gentle support, soon became a deep passion.

A few years later, John held a real volleyball for the first time at secondary school. It felt like entering a whole new world. Volleyball was no longer just a game, it became part of who he was. Through the sport, he learned teamwork, communication and resilience. He travelled between cities, made lifelong friends and found joy in teaching younger players.

“Coaching children brings me peace,” he says with a smile. “It’s my way of giving back what volleyball has given me.”

A Connection Beyond Borders

In 2020, John Paul’s path crossed with Let’s Keep The Ball Flying (LKTBF) through its programmes in Tanzania. The organisation’s goal is simple: to unite the world through volleyball. John immediately felt connected with the mission. Two years later, he began working closely with LKTBF to reach volleyball communities across the Kilimanjaro region.

The shared belief in volleyball’s power to change lives sparked something greater. Through Kilimagnet Volley, John became a bridge between local schools and the global LKTBF network.

A New Milestone in His Volleyball Journey

John’s commitment to continuous learning recently led him to another significant achievement. He travelled to Rwanda to complete the International Level One Setting Volleyball Course, a milestone that deepened both his technical expertise and his capacity to train others.

This accomplishment not only strengthens his own coaching foundation but also elevates the quality of training he brings back to young athletes in Tanzania. With this new certification, John is even better equipped to guide emerging talents, refine local coaching standards, and ensure that players, regardless of their background, receive structured, high-quality volleyball education.

Leading the “Adopt a Team” Programme

Today, John Paul is the Project Leader of Adopt a Team, an initiative that links grassroots volleyball teams with sponsors and supporters around the world. He organises school programmes, supports local coaches and helps young people, including athletes with disabilities, access proper volleyball training.

Under his leadership, LKTBF’s impact in Tanzania continues to grow. The foundation not only provides essential volleyball equipment and knowledge but also promotes inclusion, confidence and gender equality through sport. Communities that once had little access to volleyball now thrive with energy, purpose and unity.

“Volleyball teaches more than technique,” John reflects. “It shows young people they belong, that they are capable and that their dreams matter.”

A Shared Vision for the Future

For John, volleyball is not just about winning matches. It’s about building character, nurturing hope and giving every child a place to grow. Through his work with LKTBF, he is helping shape a generation that sees possibilities where there were once limits.

His story reminds us that passion, when shared, can change lives, even if it starts with nothing more than a ball made of plastic bags.

Join the Movement

If this has inspired you, you can help make volleyball accessible to every child, everywhere. Explore our volunteering opportunities now!