Heroes for a Better World

Dikembe Mutombo
(1966-)

Congolese-American Basketball Player & Humanitarian
World Food Programme Celebrity Partner

birthdate: June 25
birthplace:
Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

Dikembe Mutombo is a Congolese-American NBA basketball player who is one of the greatest defensive players of all time. He is second in NBA's history for number of shots blocked. This 7'2" superstar, who speaks nine languages, came to the United States from the Democratic Republic of Congo in 1987 on an academic scholarship. He started in the NBA in 1991 and has won the NBA Defensive Player of the Year award four times.

Dikembe Mutombo is also well-known for his humanitarian work. In the off-season he travels throughout Africa, performing at free basketball clinics, and is actively engaged in many causes. In 1997, he started the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to help improve living conditions in his native country. Mutombo served as a spokesperson for the international relief agency, CARE and the United Nations Development Program named him their first Youth Emissary. He is a World Food Programme Partner and has produced public service announcements to help end world hunger. In 2004, Dikembe Mutombo and Bono, lead singer of the rock band U-2, launched the ONE CAMPAIGN, a major effort joined by many celebrities to convince the American public to help fight AIDS and global poverty. In 2007, the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation's goal to open the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital (named for his mother) was finally completed on the outskirts of Dikembe's hometown, after 10 years of planning, fundraising and construction -- it was the first modern hospital built in the area in 40 years. Dikembe Mutombo has received many awards and honors for his humanitarian work and has been recognized by USA Weekend Magazine and FOXSports.com as the "Most Caring Athlete" and was praised for his humanitarian work by President George Bush in his 2007 State of the Union address.


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