Problem

According to the St. Vincent and the Grenadines HIV/AIDS/STI National Strategic Plan 2004-2009, the 2001 census showed that over half of the population was under 30 years of age, with almost one-third of the population under 15 years. With such a young population and an estimated illiteracy rate of 10 percent, youth programs that encourage education are critical to the future of St. Vincent and the Grenadines. Youth must be taught to recognize the value of the classroom and how to stay healthy.

The Gift

Adonal Foyle’s Athletics & Academics Island Camps are day camps held in one of the poorer countries of the Caribbean, in St. Vincent & the Grenadines, that teach youth participants basketball skills, health awareness and the importance of education. KLF’s unique approach is to provide the opportunity for youths to spend a fun-filled day of holistic learning led by a true role model with whom the kids can relate with and aspire to emulate. It is widely accepted that celebrities and professional athletes can often have a greater influence on youth than parents and teachers, thus the camps capitalize on this concept by bringing in 4 to 5 NBA professional athletes to interact with the youth and share positive and constructive messages of encouragement as related to their education and health. KLF Founder & NBA player Adonal Foyle is the epitome of the concept of a healthy balance between academics and sports, and as a fellow Vincentian he acts as a tangible model of success for children in St. Vincent & the Grenadines to emulate.