In 2013 a group of BJJ guys from Stafford, VA traveled to Senegal in West Africa to share Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for the first time in that part of the continent.

That initial effort grew into a fledgling non-profift organization called The LionHeart Initiative with a mission to create opportunities for African athletes through reality-based martial arts.

Since that time LHI has conducted martial arts seminars and projects in multiple countries across the continent several times each year in coordination with volunteers from across the world - a very small, but meaningful effort.

This short 3-part mini-series by Jheriphoto and koaTV "Roll East Shujaa" (Swahili for "warrior") - captures the 2018 combined-effort of KOA Team, LHI, & our many partners from Tanzania, Kenya, Uganda, Sudan, and elsewhere to expand Jiu Jitsu on the continent. The"Roll East Shujaa" project was primarily an effort to help connect the many people in East Africa who aspire to live the Jiu Jitsu life as we do. #bjlife