About Table Tennis for African Kids

Our Mission:  Sharing the joy of table tennis with African youth.

Table Tennis for African Kids is a non-profit organization dedicated to providing resources and opportunities for young people in Africa to experience the thrill and benefits of table tennis. We believe that sports have the power to inspire, build confidence, and create positive change, and we are committed to making table tennis accessible to all.

Our Story

This organization was founded by Charles Shen, a high school student at Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, New Jersey.  Charles began his own table tennis journey at the age of 5, and his passion for the sport has led him to become the #1 ranked cadet player in the USA and a member of the United States National Team for U15.

The idea for Table Tennis for African Kids was sparked by Charles's interactions with coach Kazeem Makanjuola, a former member of the Nigerian National Team. Coach Kazeem would often ask Charles and his brother to collect their used table tennis rubbers. Curious about what happened to these seemingly worn-out materials, Charles discovered that Coach Kazeem was taking them back to Nigeria to distribute to young table tennis enthusiasts who couldn't afford their own.

Inspired by Coach Kazeem's dedication, Charles began collecting used rubbers from friends and neighbors, expanding his efforts to support young players in Africa. Recognizing the potential to make an even greater impact, he founded Table Tennis for African Kids to involve more people in this mission and spread the love of table tennis far and wide.

Join Us!

We invite you to join us on our mission to empower African youth through table tennis.  Whether you donate equipment, spread the word, or simply share our passion for the sport, your support can make a real difference in the lives of young people.