About Us
See Our GiftsOverview
KLF was founded in 2005 by Adonal Foyle, a native of St. Vincent & the Grenadines and professional NBA player with thr mission to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults. The name "Kerosene Lamp" refers to the lighting used by Adonal to study on an island without electricity, and symbolizes his mission to brighten the futures of today's youth.
KLF uses basketball as a bridge to the next generation, promoting education (literacy in particular) and health awareness through Athletics & Academics youth camps, art & essay competitions, incentive programs for academic achievement and the building/refurbishment of basketball courts.
Kerosene Lamp Foundation is a non-profit organization registered in the USA and in S. Vincent & the Grenadines.
Mission
The mission of the Kerosene Lamp Foundation (KLF) is to empower youth to grow into healthy and well-educated adults, using basketball as a bridge to the next generation.
Program
The Kerosene Lamp Foundation has three major programs:
1. Athletics & Academics Island Camps (A&A Camps) use basketball as a catalyst to encourage youths to take ownership of their health and education.
2. Educational programs develop a passion for learning in youth and encourage youth to become literate adults.
3. Refurbishment of basketball courts provide children with a safe place to play.
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1. Academics & Athletics Camps
KLF combines the fundamentals of basketball with educational messages to create a unique and fun-filled experience for youths aged 5 to 17. The free half-day sessions are staffed by a mix of NBA players, coaches and other appropriately skilled international volunteers.
The Camps offer up to eight learning stations covering a range of topics from basketball skills of dribbling, rebounding, shooting, passing and defense to the importance of education, HIV/AIDS awareness and prevention, nutrition, career advice and the basic tenets of sports psychology. Participating children are divided into groups according to age and then rotate through the stations.
To ensure KLF lessons are reinforced year-round, there is a “Training of Trainers” component for locally-based coaches and school Physical Education teachers. Participants participate in an initial training in sports medicine and assist with camp stations to “learn by doing.”
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2. Educational Programs
KLF is establishing Reading and Learning Centers at government schools in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. The Centers are equipped with books and learning equipment including computers, a TV, DVD player, and assorted flash cards and board games to supplement the formal academic experience.
In addition KLF is holding Annual Express Yourself Art & Essay Competitions to motivate school-aged youth to develop and articulate opinions on issues of significance to their lives.
As part of the Athletics & Academics Camps, KLF is providing 1-2 books to attending youths at the Athletics & Academics Camps. Youth who submit a book report on their books received will be entered into a special drawing to win prizes such as sports memorabilia, learning equipment and additional books.
KLF is currently developing an incentive program in partnership with the Ministry of Education to sponsor out-of-school illiterate youths (aged 15-17) to take classes to improve their reading skills.
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3. Basketball Court Refurbishment
With the support of companies and private donors, KLF plans to refurbish basketball courts in the United States and the Caribbean. These courts will provide a safe place for children to play basketball and learn valuable lessons on and off the court.
Impact
To date KLF has brightened the lives of over 1200 children in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (SVG), teaching them basketball and raising their awareness of HIV/AIDS, as well as encouraging them to stay in school, through 3 free Athletics & Academics camps, 1 art & essay competitions, and the building of a Reading & Learning Center.
In addition KLF has also supported local initiatives in SVG to inspire youth through an event commemorating President Barack Obama's Inauguration, and an Art & Essay competition held by the SVG National Trust.
Goals
Reach 1000 children at the 2009 Athletics & Academics Camps in St. Vincent & the Grenadines (free camps)
Refurbish one basketball court in St. Vincent & the Grenadines
Refurbish one basketball court in the San Francisco Bay Area
Provide scholarships for at least 50 children to attend Athletics & Academics Camps in the San Francisco Bay Area (paid camps).
Hold an art and essay competition in St. Vincent and the Grenadines in the fall.
CEO
Shiyana Valentine has been involved in every aspect of the Kerosene Lamp Foundation from its conception. She has served on the Board of Directors since its establishment in 2005 and has actively participated in all KLF activities to date. She was formally named the Executive Director in October, 2008. Before KLF, she was the Country Manager in the Bahamas for the Clinton Foundation HIV/AIDS Initiative where her role was to assist the Ministry of Health with integrating HIV/AIDS care into primary healthcare services and strengthening their antiretroviral supply chain to ensure that patients received an uninterrupted supply of medication. Prior to the Clinton Foundation, Shiyana spent three years with the Development Marketplace team at the World Bank where her primary responsibility was to manage a global grant competition that funds innovative and early stage projects with potential for development impact. Shiyana received a BA in History and Peace Studies from Colgate University, and an MA in International Development from American University.
Board
Adonal Foyle, Founder & President
Sabrina Mitchell, Board Secretary
Larry Green
Michelle Lewis
Leland Thompson
Countries
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, United States
States
California, Florida, Louisiana
Contact
174 CRESTVIEW DR
ORINDA, CA 94563-3922
Phone: (661) 878-7749
www.kerosenelampfoundation.org
EIN: 01-0857784