The Advancement of Children Foundation funds local Basketball Project
Basseterre, St. Kitts: The Advancement of Children Foundation (ACF) recently provided funding to Pemberton’s Basketball Hoops Academy/Reach One Teach One Basketball Camp (ROTO), an organization whose aim is to attract a generation of youth into the sport of basketball, with the potential to become top sportsmen and women.
The ACF pledged to fund the group in the amount of EC$14,128.80 to assist them in meeting their goals and objectives to get the participants interested in the sport of basketball; to reclaim delinquent kids and make them better community-minded persons; to instill community spirit and communication through basketball; to build character; all of which in turn will lead to preparation for a positive future.
The check was presented by ACF’s Board Chair (Andrew Cleary) to Mr. Wendell Pemberton (Co-Founder) and Mr. Robert Pemberton (Coach/Instructor) of ROTO at a handover ceremony held on Friday 14 March 2014. Also in attendance at the ceremony representing ACF was Ms. Leah Crag-Chaderton (Board Secretary) and Mr. Dennis Knight (PRO).
ROTO was established in July of 2005 to reach out to at-risk young boys and girls through the sport of basketball and equip them with life skills and provide them with an alternative to crime and delinquent behavior. The group’s executive members are Wendell Pemberton (Founder, Director); Dave Connor (Founder, Administrator); Beresford Mack (Founder, Consultant-UK); Robert Pemberton (Coach, Instructor); John Spezia (Coach, Consultant-USA); Charmaine Warner (Secretary); Tessa Tuckett (Treasurer) and Keisha Archibald (PRO).
ROTO expects to motivate and encourage youths to stay in school and attain academic achievements whilst in the pursuit of sports excellence through basketball. It also hopes that participants will develop transferable skills such as communication, teamwork and problem solving for use in school and employment.
The Basketball Camp is held every year during the month of while a recruiting camp Basketball basic training is held in the summer. As many as 100 boys and girls between the ages 6-20 years attend the camp. The camp receives international exposure due to the caliber of the coaches ROTO attracts to conduct the camps. Talented players who excel can be awarded scholarships to US and Canada high schools and colleges. To date 12 scholarships have been awarded to persons successful in displaying outstanding performance and sportsmanship.
The group is able to sustain a high rate of participants for the basketball program and is proud of its efforts that deter many young persons from joining gangs and loitering on the streets, by keeping them involved in the sport.
The ACF is a non-profit, non-sectarian, non-political organization – founded by the Rotary Clubs of Liamuiga and St. Kitts and whose mission is to “positively affect the life of the children and youth in our community, by creating an environment that is conducive to learning, growth and contribution, replete with community and family support, and free of violent and negative coercive forces”.
The organization’s funds have been generated through contributions from its founding partners – Christophe Harbour, LIME, National Bank, St. Kitts Marriott, TDC, The Rotary Club of St. Kitts and The Rotary Club of Liamuiga. Funds are also raised by active fundraising events held each year.
To learn more about the ACF, visit the website at www.acfstkittsnevis.org or “like” them at ACF SKN on Facebook.