A collection of Catholic Central basketball gear recently made its way across the world, bringing excitement to children in Migori, Kenya, thanks to the generosity of the Shamrock basketball program and the mission work of a Catholic Central family.
Julie Webb, mother of Tyler Webb 2028 and Luke Webb 2030, traveled to Kenya this past September for her fifth mission trip with Kenya Relief, a Christian organization that shares God's love through medical care and surgeries. Webb joined a team of healthcare professionals from Henry Ford Health System and the University of Michigan for a week of service in Migori, a remote city near the Tanzanian border.
The need for medical care in the region is significant. With an average daily wage of approximately one dollar, many families cannot afford essential healthcare or surgeries. During the team's time in Kenya, medical professionals provided care to approximately 300 patients and performed nearly 40 surgeries.
Kenya Relief's work extends beyond medical missions. The organization also operates a school and an orphanage, where Webb and the visiting team stayed during their trip. Despite their busy schedules, the team made time to spend with the children, sharing in games and activities on the grounds.
Before leaving for Kenya, Webb reached out to Catholic Central's head basketball coach, Tory Jackson, to see if the program had any equipment or apparel to donate. The response exceeded her expectations. Coach Jackson provided a large collection of basketball gear, including T-shirts and uniforms, which Webb packed in her luggage and brought to Kenya.
The donations were met with excitement and gratitude as the children tried on their new Shamrock apparel and took to the basketball court. For many, the opportunity to play in the donated uniforms made an already special experience even more memorable.
Webb noted that the children live with very few belongings, often having only a handful of clothing items, a school uniform and a pair of Crocs. Their enthusiasm for the basketball gear was a reminder of how meaningful even a simple donation can be.
This isn't the first time Webb has brought Catholic Central apparel to Kenya. On a previous mission trip, she delivered Catholic Central soccer jerseys for the children. This year's basketball donation continued that connection, giving the Shamrock community another opportunity to support the children and the work of Kenya Relief.
For Webb, the opportunity to share the donations is part of a much larger mission.
"I am so grateful I can share the love of God in a tangible way through CC's donations!" she said.
Reflecting on the experience, Webb added that the work is ultimately "all to the glory of God," recognizing that she is simply an instrument in His work.
A special thank-you to Julie Webb for her continued mission work, and to Coach Jackson, the basketball program and the entire Shamrock community for their generosity and commitment to serving others.
