Buku Khamis is a young footballer trying to forge his way in the AFL.

While he fine-tunes his AFL craft, Khamis is having a massive impact off the field, in the community.

The 20-year-old, who is from South Sudan, has been a fine role model for the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation since he was drafted to the Club two years ago.

In fact, his experience with the Foundation began when he arrived in Australia as a young boy and was involved in the Club’s Ready SETTLE Go program, which helps newly-arrived migrants settle into the country.

He was later part of the Bulldogs’ Next Generation Academy, which paved the way for him to arrive at VU Whitten Oval as an AFL player.

In 2020, Khamis won the John Schultz Community Award at the Charles Sutton Medal event, for the active role he played in the GOAL Mentoring Program, and his work as a member of the Foundation’s African Action Plan working group.

“Buku’s story is also a story of the work the Foundation does,” said Western Bulldogs Community Foundation General Manager, Kashif Bouns.

“As a six-year-old refugee from Sudan living in western suburbs, he was introduced to a funny game with an oval ball called footy, via the Western Bulldogs Community Foundation.

“His journey came full circle when in 2018 he was added to the Club's playing list, and became the first AFL listed player for the club from South Sudanese background.

“Since then he has always been willing to give back and support our community programs.  While he has a made a positive impact across the Foundation, his most significant contribution has been as a mentor in the GOAL program, where helps mentor young African Australians.”