Founded by Kristopher, Preston, and Renzo Gondokusumo, students of British School Jakarta, Hoopz4Change focuses on running basketball clinics and distributing shoes to children in remote communities. Inspired by stories from Coach Regy Nomleni, who described children walking barefoot for kilometers to reach school in Kupang, the brothers began collecting gently used basketball shoes from friends and family.
Since its inception, the initiative has distributed over 1,000 pairs of shoes and reached nearly 2,000 children through basketball clinics. More than 100 volunteers have participated, highlighting a growing network of youth committed to community-driven impact.
In August 2024, the latest clinic was held in Soe, where nearly 200 children—many traveling two hours from surrounding villages—took part in training sessions and received 200 pairs of shoes and school bags. The program combined coaching from the Gondokusumo brothers, local mentors, and community leaders.
While this year’s summer program was postponed due to the eruption of Mount Lewotobi in Flores, organizers confirmed the next outreach will take place in December 2025 in Sumba.
In 2025, the movement expanded its reach by co-organizing the 3X3 Unity Cup, which attracted 132 teams and donated proceeds to the Indonesian Deaf Basketball Federation, reinforcing its mission of inclusion and social change through sport.
Among the initiative’s notable success stories are Jerold Davis and Michael Silvester Medah, who first joined a Hoopz4Change clinic in 2019. Having never owned basketball shoes or received formal training, both now play for the U18 Kupang National Basketball Team and have become MVPs in local leagues.
Beyond clinics, Hoopz4Change launched a Student Ambassador Program and installed “Footprints of Kindness” shoe donation boxes in six Jakarta international schools, expanding its impact and fostering youth leadership.
“Hoopz4Change is about more than basketball,” said co-founder Preston Gondokusumo. “It’s about equipping children with the tools and confidence to pursue their dreams.” His brother Kristopher added, “This is a long-term commitment. We want to build a movement that continues through future ambassadors, including our youngest brother, Renzo.”
The organization’s ongoing efforts underscore the power of youth-led initiatives to address inequality and foster lasting change across Indonesia’s most underserved regions.
Reporter: PR Wire
Editor: PR Wire
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