Josh Childress and Harold Ellis teach at Basketball Without Borders - Africa

The NBA's Basketball Without Borders program is really one of the best charitable programs in any professional sport. It should get a lot more press than it does, but regardless it gives many NBA players a chance to see the world and give back to the worldwide community.

Several Hawks have been involved in the last couple years, including Zaza Pachulia and Marvin Williams, and this year also marks the second straight year Josh Childess has participated. We caught up to him as he took part this past week in Basketball Without Borders - Africa, which took place in Johannesburg, South Africa from Sept. 5-9, to find out more about his experience:

Hawks.com: You did BWB last year in China - how does the African version compare?

Josh Childress: The Africa version is very different to Basketball without Borders Asia especially being African American - the kids here in Africa really really look up to you they see you as a real role model and also just the level of athleticism and how much the kids really love to learn it's a big difference. But both camps were great and I'm looking forward to doing more as the years go on.

Hawks.com: You spent time Wednesday at the Apartheid Museum. What was that experience like?
JC: The Apartheid museum was a real eye-opening experience. I'd heard about the apartheid regime but you never really know until you witness it and there I saw it first hand. It was amazing, it was great to learn that people went through such a struggle and it was a real eye-opener for me and it as very humbling and it makes me realize how blessed I am. I really enjoyed that experience.

Hawks.com: What is the best part of the BWB program for you?
JC: The best part of the BWB program to me is the really the community events. This year in South Africa we did Habitat For Humanity where we helped build a home and just to go to these communities that are so poverty stricken and you see these kids faces and its incredible. We worked on building a house, and when it was done I gave a kid the gloves that I used to work on the house and he was thrilled and he was pumping his chest and just so excited.

Hawks.com: Is it nice getting to share the experience with Hawks scout Harold Ellis and broadcaster Steve Smith?
JC: It's definitely nice to share the experience with Steve and Harold. I don't get to hang out with them much during the regular season so just getting to know them and hearing stories about back when they used to play was great. It will be cool for us being able to go back and share our experiences with the people from Atlanta - that will be great as well.

Hawks.com: Most of your teammates are back in Atlanta beginning their preparation for the season. Have you talked to them at all? Are you planning on joining them when BWB is over?
JC: I haven't been able to talk to most of my teammates just because of the time difference and calling the US is pretty expensive.  I know they are there working hard and I definitely plan on coming back to Atlanta on Monday, and I look forward to getting back with the team and starting off the season how we mean to carry on.

Click here to see more photos of J-Chill's trip to South Africa.