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chron.com
MAN ON A MISSION
All Dikembe Mutombo wants is a better world for all
Houston, Texas
March 26, 2025
By Jonathan Feigen
This season, the last in a series of last seasons, Rockets center
Dikembe Mutombo was determined he would go out his way.
He would be the model teammate, refusing to complain about his lack of
playing time and supportive in his boisterous, comical style.
He would block shots, ask young opponents if they failed to watch the
classic sports channels, and then wag his scolding finger a few times.
He would use his fame to solicit money for his hospital, with the
latest fundraising campaign to begin today.
Most of all, he would leave anything he touched, from the locker room
to parts of the world that need him as much as ever, better than he
found them.
I enjoy myself, Mutombo, 42, said. One thing Im very happy with is
the transformation that has happened inside our locker room. The joy,
the peace, the smiling on the guys faces are very rewarding to see.
That is what made me happy, like I accomplished something.
From the stories that I heard, the phone calls I was receiving when I
was out, things were getting out of control, in need of leadership. Im
glad I was able to come back and help the organization. This
organization has done a lot for me. I was very happy that for
everything they have done for me, I was able to give something back.
GENEROUS NATURE
Giving something back has been Mutombos way of life. That did not
change with the opening in 2007 of the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital
and Research Center in Kinshasa, of the Democratic Republic of Congo.
He spent a decade working to raise the funds needed for the $29
million, 300-bed facility, personally donating approximately $19
million. But he said he has been stunned by the costs, so the work
continues.
The latest campaign is to try to go after the grass roots, Mutombo
said. We can get at least the American people to participate in the
treatment of women and children at the Biamba Marie Mutombo Hospital by
donating $20 or more a year. The goal is to get 100,000 people to sign
up with our Web site (www.DMF.org) or call 1-877-funddmf. We want to
get 100,000 people to respond by the end of June.
Im going to go nationwide. My prayer is that as many people as we
have in Houston, maybe 100,000 will respond to my call to donate $20 or
more. After that, Im planning to go after every city that I played for
(Denver, Atlanta, Philadelphia and New York) and see how many people
will sign up to the Web site or pick up the phone.
This is to run the hospital for medicine and treatment and paying the
staff, the doctors and nurses.
ESTABLISHED CAUSE
This time, Mutombo said, he believes people will be receptive because
his is no longer a long-shot dream.
People would understand and know this is a good cause, he said. This
is not a cause that Dikembe is calling on us to donate money so he can
buy more equipment or more beds. This is now something we already
accomplished. The beds are there. The equipment is there. You just want
us to buy medicine and buy Tylenol and buy IVs and all that.
Like malaria. Malaria is killing more than 1.3 million children alone
in the African continent. The Congo lost more than 300,000 children
last year alone from malaria. The treatment will cost no more than $10.
If we can come up with $2 million for treatment, with 100,000 people
donating $20, there is a chance for us to really eradicate malaria in
that particular area.
Our goal is to prevent as many deaths as we can. I know it is going to
be difficult to stop people from dying, because death is part of our
lives. But to prevent as many deaths as possible, it is up to us to do
so.
This is something I will do the rest of my life. No matter what I go
do, whether it is working for the league or business for myself, doing
humanitarian work, I dont think there will be anybody who can stop
me.
DISTINGUISHED CAREER
After 18 NBA seasons, Mutombo speaks with the same determination and
passion when discussing his role with the Rockets. He roars with
laughter when asked if he would like to play more -- he has appeared in
just six games this season, starring in a win at New Orleans when Yao
Ming was out sick -- but never complains. He also cherishes the
respect he says he receives with every question, from Ron Artests
asking about nutrition to Yaos queries on shot-blocking.
You can contribute in practice with your intelligence and your
experience, off the court and on the bench, just telling the young guys
what they have to do, Mutombo said. For me, that brings joy. You can
tell these guys love you and respect you so much -- they respect your
presence here.
I dont want to leave this game and have something haunt me, like I
complained about playing or my minutes. I just want to be happy.
Mutombo said he is happy but not satisfied. Heading into the last
regular-season weeks of his career, he said there is more to
accomplish.
Im pleased, he said. Looking not just at this season but at my 18
years, I had a wonderful career. I look at the clock, and I know it is
getting close to checkout. I want to finish it right.
[email protected]
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