Sharing Hope through Hoops
Muji Vader likes to do things. Whether she’s coaching kids in Uganda or Jamaica, or scoring points for her school’s basketball team in Massachusetts, Muji believes in taking action—and she does it with passion.
After living in an orphanage in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), she and her brother, Joey, were adopted by the Vader family in 2016. Muji was eight years old and Joey was seven. They embraced the Bahá’í Faith and began doing service projects with friends. In 2022, Muji joined a local basketball team and loved it. The next year, she and Joey started a service organization called “The Assist”—a basketball term for passing the ball to help a teammate score. They travel in the U.S. and internationally to set up basketball hoops, donate sports equipment, and teach basketball skills to other kids.
Now a senior at Minuteman Vocational High School, Muji studies culinary arts and excels in basketball, winning many awards. After graduation, she’ll spend a year in Switzerland polishing her basketball skills at Ball Academy before going to college.
Q: What was it like when you first came to the U.S.?
A: It was kind of crazy because I wasn’t really aware of the outside world. I was just used to what I was used to. I didn’t know a lot of things, like airplanes ... And it was exciting, but it was kind of a blur because I was a little overwhelmed and I didn’t really know what was going on. But I remember when we got to the airport [in Boston], all of my family members were there, like my mom’s sisters and their husbands ... It was a lot, but now that I’m thinking back, it was really, really, really great.
Q: When and where did you start playing basketball?
A: My best friend in fifth grade, she was big into basketball ... Her dad was a coach and he said, “You’d be good at basketball.” I [thought], “Let me just try this out.” I’ve liked it ever since ... Around age 13, I started [playing on] a rec team.
Q: What do you love most about basketball?
A: There’s a lot to love about basketball ... I did track before, and track is an individual sport. It might be easier in that you ... can rely on yourself. But I really love the team aspect of basketball, of working together for one combined goal.
Q: What advice would you give a kid who wants to join a team, but they’re unsure of themselves?
A: Have confidence, go for it, and try your best, even if you’re not good at the specific point that you want to try out. Coaches are always looking for people who are vocal, who cheer on other people, who are uplifting the team ...
In August 2025, Muji and her brother, Joey, went to Jamaica to coach hundreds of kids at a week-long basketball camp.
Q: You and your brother do service projects together. How did that start?
A: We were spending a lot of time dedicated to basketball ... [We have] practices every day after school and we have games three or four times a week. So, we didn’t really have time to focus on our faith ... I was talking to my mom and my brother, and we were like, “How can we take basketball, which [we] spend so much of [our] time doing, and incorporate some Bahá’í virtues into that?” So that’s how The Assist started.
Q. Who or what inspires you in your service?
A: I think really my faith inspires me in my service. Right now, that’s how I feel like I can show my faith ... I’m more of an active learner. I like to do. I like to be embraced in this stuff, to be able to learn it, to understand it.
Q: When you were first getting started, how did you figure out what you wanted to do?
A: After we connect with the program that we’re going to work with, we ask them, “What do you need us to bring? What are the most things that you need?” [In Uganda,] they needed a lot of different things. It doesn’t have to be basketball-related either … For Uganda specifically, they needed money to put a few kids through school. So I set up a fundraiser with my culinary teachers. We have a restaurant inside the school that's open to the public … We [made] different African foods and all that stuff. We did a buffet for like two days … So that was able to help us get a few kids through school.
Q. You and your family have done service projects around the U.S. and overseas. How do you decide where to go?
A: My mom was looking for service projects ... She found this vocational school in Uganda, and we were like, “Let’s go there and see what we can do. They can learn from us, we can learn from them.” … The students are our age, and we can connect with kids our age … and the kids love this. It’s thanks to [the Internet] that we found [service opportunities in] Uganda, Jamaica, Marrakesh …
Q: You started on your high school team as a freshman and most of your teammates were older. What was that like?
A :The first half of the season when I wasn’t playing [because of a tibia fracture], just seeing them and their leadership on the court … was really cool … Even if they were playing a hard team, they would pick up [each other] and be like “we got this,” and play 100% … I remember [the game when] my coach told me I was starting, and I was so scared. I got on the court, and I couldn’t even really play because it was overwhelming. But the older girls on the team, they helped me out.
Q: What are some qualities of a good teammate?
A: Patience, leadership, being able to communicate well … You have to be ready to [play] with people who are … just starting or [have] been playing the sport for so long. You have to be patient and mentor them if they need it. You have to be able to read the type of people that you’re playing against. Patience for me is a huge, huge thing that I look for in teammates and I try to [give] to my teammates.
Q: What are some qualities of a good coach?
A: As a coach, you also have to be able to realize what kind of players you’re working with, because you could have elite players and not-so-good players, and you have to be able to work with both. And if one player needs more time learning something … take the time and help them with that. I think [coaches] also have to have a lot of patience … They have to be vocal too … I love when my coaches are pushing me to do the best every time. I think I do good with criticism, and I want to do the best I can. I want to learn as much as I can. So, [when] coaches give a lot of feedback … I really love that.
While coaching at a camp in Jamaica, Muji demonstrated the proper form for a free throw.
Q: You’ve earned Most Valuable Player titles two years in a row. What motivates you to strive for excellence?
A: When I’m interested in something … I will push myself to do good at it … [Having] a good support team around me is what helps me do my best. I know there’s people who put a lot of time and money and effort into getting me to where I am.
Q. What has been one of the most rewarding experiences in your service?
A: Just connecting with everyone. Some of the places that we go, like the camp in Jamaica … a lot of the kids were playing basketball for the first time. This camp is where they get to escape and have fun for a little while. So for me, connecting with the people, not just with basketball, [is important]. Like sitting down and talking to a girl that’s my age, that’s sharing my experience—what I’m going through, what she’s going through …
Q. What spiritual qualities do you think you’ve gained or strengthened through your service?
A: Gratitude is definitely the big one, because you know, I started off in an orphanage. Me and my brother. If I hadn’t been adopted or introduced to the Bahá’í Faith, I wouldn’t be where I am right now. So, I’m very thankful to God and the people around me and my faith, because I live by my faith. That’s what defines me.
How to Start Your Own Service Project
Service “doesn’t have to be massive,” says Muji. “Little service also counts. In the eyes of God, service is service.” Try some of her tips:
- Start small, like helping your family with chores at home
- Help neighbors bring in groceries, rake leaves, or shovel snow
- Find out what other service is needed
- Use your interests and talents
- Ask a parent or other trusted adult to help
- Invite others to join you
- Work together to make a plan
- Let your team’s passion shine!
Photos by Bre Vader
Discover552 Bahá’í Faith544 Service305 Basketball3 Uganda4 School18 Patience37 Communication155 Gratitude68 Leadership42 Sports43