Kerosene Lamp Foundation has developed a new mentorship program to turn promising young basketball players into successful student-athletes, thereby making them eligible for scholarships and improving their access to higher education. We need your support to start this program!
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The Problem >
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A 2008 government study found that over 40% of Grade 6 students in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG) were unable to read at or above their level. The country suffers from a high unemployment rate (22%) and limited career opportunities. Youths are unmotivated in the classroom, and do not receive the necessary encouragement to change their attitude.
We are now in a critical window of time in which to reach out to SVG youths and turn around their attitude and approach to education. Each year, these young people are graduating or dropping out of school without getting the necessary education or knowledge to become positive contributors to the country.
Through the ASA Program, KLF will foster an elite corps of student-athletes in SVG that are competitive candidates for athletic and academic scholarships to high school and college. Selected youths will commit to our year-round Saturday learning program to learn basketball and improve their school grades. Our curriculum will teach youths to set goals and how to attain them, through hard work, perseverance and determination. As part of the program, youths will undergo an intensive summer training course in the USA in basketball, education, and culture.
KLF will work directly with ASA youths for a maximum of three years, during which time we will also try to match them with high school and college scholarships. Successful ASA graduates will be invited to return to the program as mentors and teaching assistants for current ASA youths.
Whether these student-athletes ultimately succeed in accessing scholarships or not, KLF will have ensured that our ASA youths will be equipped with a solid academic foundation from which to enter adulthood, and poised to become effective and successful leaders, contributing socially, economically and politically.
As high school athletes are often revered by their peers and become unofficial leaders in their schools, we expect our ASA youths to have a positive influence on their peers and siblings, sharing with them how important academic achievement is to their future, and thus multiplying the impact of our program.
We are looking for partners on this very important program - from providing learning opportunities, accommodation, meals and transport for youths during their USA learning trip, to providing textbooks and equipment to support their year-round Saturday learning program. For more information, please contact Shiyana Valentine at svalentine@kerosenelampfoundation.org or 1.925.699.9754.
 Sponsor a Child
For just $7500, you can give a child the learning experience of a lifetime by enrolling them in our All-Star Student-Athletes Mentorship program. Your tax-deductible donation will cover the cost of mentoring a child throughout the calendar year in St. Vincent & the Grenadines. Mentorship includes personalized academic tutoring, plus a three week-long intensive study trip to the States during the summer. The study trip will cover basketball, classroom learning, college visits, etiquette classes, and cultural experiences such as the theatre, museums, and concerts. Your donation covers all costs ranging from training, textbooks, learning aids, uniforms and sports equipment to international & local travel, food and accommodation (while on the learning tour).
Each child must undergo a rigorous screening process to qualify for participation, and must meet personalized learning milestones to remain in the program.
General ASA Program Donation
If you would like to make a donation in a different amount using PayPal, please do so by clicking on the button below:
In Kind Donation
KLF needs assistance in the form of school supplies; athletic uniforms; basketball shoes/athletic sneakers; airline frequent flier miles; hotel accommodation in Orlando, California, Washington DC and/or New York City; meals, and more. Please contact Shiyana for more information at svalentine@kerosenelampfoundation.org or 1.925.699.9754.
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