NBA legend and Community Ambassador Bob Lanier is at the camp leading daily life skills seminars for the campers. Lanier spent part of Tuesday at a reading event presented by Sprite and the NBA at the Starfish Foundation’s Heartbeat project in Atteridgeville, Pretoria. Afterwards, Lanier spoke with NBA.com to discuss the community outreach that is part of the Africa 100 Camp. Here's what he had to say:

How was the trip travelling to South Africa?
Lanier: "It was an experience. For a 6-11 guy trying to fit into the seats, I made it. I had never been on a flight where the seats kick back all the way so that it made into a bed. The people at South Africa Airways were absolutely terrific. They smothered me with hospitality and food. I've never been so comfortable."

Bob Lanier at the opening of a Reading and Learning Center in San Antonio earlier this year. The NBA will open one in Johannesburg, South Africa this week. NBAE/Getty Images

How did the event go today?
Lanier: "We worked with a group called Starfish. These are youngsters who have lost a parent to AIDS. It is so rampant in this country. I had to change how I normally talk to the kids to be much more interactive. I could feel that there were a lot of kids that didn’t understand English. It got me to share more with them than I usually do. They had a glow of hope in their eyes.

"I would bring up young people and ask them about making choices. I’d ask them ‘What do you want to be when you grow up?’ and I heard ‘I want to be a nurse’ or ‘I want to be a geneaologist.' That was the first time I ever heard that. This little girl went into this whole explanation of what a geneaologist is. It goes to show me people can still feel inside that they can do extraordinary things despite their circumstances. It’s a tribute to the community leaders."

Have you met any campers or spent time with any NBA players yet?
Lanier: "We're having a get-together tonight and I'll meet the campers then. I got to see Dikembe (Mutombo) today. It's amazing to me the spirit of giving that he and the others have. They don't forget from whence they came. All of these African players come back to their countries and put real dollars and real effort to help make a difference in their communities. You have to salute guys like that."

What do you hope to teach the campers with the daily camp seminars?
Lanier: "The first focus they will look at is enhancing their basketball skills with the clinics and the drills with NBA players. Every day before the clinics, we're going to be talking about issues like ‘Qualities of a Leader.' I will talk to them about making choices and how those can effect their lives. We'll talk about substance abuse and teamwork. I will ask them, ‘What are the qualities that make you a good teammate?'

"These kids are selected to be here at the camp, and it is a privilege for them. I always tell young people, ‘To whom much is given, much is expected.’ I tell them that you have a responsibility to carry yourself in a manner that people will want to emulate."

What will the Reading and Learning center mean to the kids of South Africa?
Lanier: "The other day we went over to Ithuteng Trust, a place that Mama Jackey runs. It’s a program for youngsters that have been raped and or sodomized by a parent or someone in their community. It's gut-wrenching listening to Mama talk about what she has done and how she tried to get resources for her program.

"I was talking to this one young girl about reading and she says to me, ‘Mr. Bob, I love to read, but we don't have access all the time.’ I cannot wait until Thursday. That is when we will open the Reading and Learning Center. We donated 2,000 books and renovated a room with online access in a brand new library. It gives them a place where they can go and have access to learning and they can travel through books and prepare themselves for opportunities."

Is there one lesson that you hope the kids take away from these seminars?
Lanier: "The one thing I would want them to walk away with is that it is as important to be a good person as it is to be a good basketball player. Not all of them, or maybe none of them, will become NBA players. But they can become good people and give something back to help someone else ... and they can give back for a lifetime."

How important is it to extend the Read To Achieve program beyond the U.S. borders?
Lanier: "There are certain things that no matter where you are or where you live that are extremely important. No matter where you grow up, to be able to read and comprehend and communicate is essential no matter where you live in the world."

What is your main goal while you are in Africa?
Lanier: "Our main mission in the community centers is to support what these people are doing with these youngsters. That support is the books, the computers, the clothing supplies and the players and the NBA supporting what they do. That is basically what we are here for -- to let them know that we care for them.

"We want people to connect and know that they can make a difference too."