RunningReSole, a U.S.-based organization founded by Todd Robertson, an American, and Chilelu Kakanwa, a native of Zambia, has generously donated over 100 new running shoes to young athletes in The Gambia. The donation aims to support aspiring African athletes by providing them with essential sports gear.
RunningReSole’s mission is to collect new and gently used running shoes so that those who cannot afford them can enjoy the benefit of running.
Gambian immigrant Omar Barrow, who resides in Kentucky and attended college with Kakanwa, facilitated this particular donation to The Gambia.
Olympians Ebrahima Camara and Gina Bass have led the partnership between RunningReSole USA and The Gambia through Teameis Athletics in Serekunda, The Gambia, thanks to the efforts of Mr. Sainey MK Marenah and Omar Barrow, both of whom reside in the United States. Marenah introduced Gina and Ebrima to Barrow after he ( Barrow) contacted Marenah about helping the country’s elite athletes with running shoes through Mr. Chilelu Kakanwa.
Camara and Bass have expressed their gratitude for the support.
The recent donation included 100 pairs of running shoes for Teameis Athletics. The first shipment, 44 pairs, was delivered in 2022, followed by a second shipment, 56 pairs, which arrived in January 2025.
Omar Barrow, a native of the Gambia who currently resides in Kentucky, USA, has played a crucial role in managing the logistics and costs of shipping running shoes from Texas to the Gambia.
“The plan is to expand our efforts to high schools with organized athletic groups. We appreciate your contribution to this meaningful initiative,” Barrow stated.
The organization aims to enhance athletic activities across the country and hopes that the donation of running shoes will positively impact young lives.
“Every pair collected makes a difference for someone in need,” Barrow added.
Reflecting on his background, Barrow noted, “I started my career as an extension worker in 1999, and since then, community development and humanitarian support have been part of my legacy. With my limited resources, I am always happy and excited to support meaningful social development programs for youths.”
Barrow and Chilelu Kakanwa, the founder of RunningReSole, attended Knoxville College together from 2004 to 2007. They have remained in contact since then, and when Kakanwa proposed the project, Barrow expressed his commitment to assist with shipping the athletic gear to The Gambia.
In The Gambia, athletes primarily train on a single track, but this facility has been largely unused due to ongoing renovations at the country’s only stadium. As a result, many athletes have been forced to train on the beach or streets to maintain their fitness levels.
One of RunningReSole’s challenges is the logistics of shipping athletic gear to local beneficiaries. Ebrima Camara appreciated the efforts, stating, “It is beneficial, and we truly appreciate it. It would be greatly appreciated if other Gambians could assist us with shipping.”
He noted that many athletes have benefited from RunningReSole’s contributions and now represent The Gambia in various competitions.
Camara emphasized the initiative’s significance, explaining that many athletes are unemployed and face difficulties purchasing new shoes every few months.
“We cannot overstate the impact of this initiative; many of these athletes are not working, and every two or three months, they need to buy new shoes, which is very difficult for young people,” he said.
RunningReSole’s initiative is seen as a vital step towards addressing the issue of athletes training without proper footwear in The Gambia.
Since its inception in February 2020, RunningReSole USA has donated 2,487 pairs of running shoes to athletes in 13 countries, including Zambia, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Botswana, Namibia, The Gambia, Latin America, Kenya, Guinea-Bissau, Angola, Lesotho, and the Philippines. The organization’s shoe donation project has benefited over 20 running clubs worldwide.
