Back to Nigeria!

I first met Andrew Lovedale when he was a­ star forward on the Davidson men’s basketball team, grabbing rebounds to help the Wildcats into the Elite Eight. Along with the rest of the Davidson community, I soon learned that there was so much more to him.

Born in Benin City, Nigeria, Andrew got the chance to play basketball at a prep school in England, and eventually, at Davidson College. As a freshman, he began quietly taking his teammates’ discarded practice gear and basketball shoes home and continued to do so every summer. Eventually, Andrew’s story energized the entire Davidson community, and in 2009 “Kicks from ‘Cats: The Andrew Lovedale Shoe Drive” collected 10,500 pairs of shoes and raised over $15,000 dollars.

That June, I was a part of a 15-person team, including Davidson staff, alumni, fans and Nigerian native men’s basketball players Andrew and Frank Ben-Eze, that traveled to Benin City and Lagos, Nigeria, to deliver the shoes and run basketball clinics. That trip changed the course of my life, and along with Andrew and other 2009 team members, I helped incorporate Access to Success in September out of desire to continue our work in Nigeria and share Andrew’s philosophy of sports, faith and education with under-served youth everywhere. We are hoping to receive our 501(c)(3) status by the end of this summer!

After executing the third annual “Kicks from ‘Cats” event in February, I will be returning to Nigeria this June in conjunction with our continued partners at Samaritan’s Feet! On this trip, we will conduct important research and begin to lay the groundwork for establishing long-term A2S operations in Benin City while delivering equipment, running basketball clinics, and education youth on health and wellness.

I need to raise $3,500 to cover travel expenses, food and lodging. A2S exists because of the support of friends like you, so please consider helping A2S establish its roots this summer by becoming an official A2S Friend and making a financial contribution. With your contribution you will receive the A2S quarterly newsletter and special event invitations in the future.

More specifically, we plan to: 

-Teach supplemental educational courses for under-served youth, run various sporting clinics (with a focus on basketball), and implement youth-driven and youth-led community service projects.

-Develop an A2S model in Benin City, Nigeria and establish partnerships, through official volunteer training during our visit to Benin City.

-Establish A2S Benin City operations by June 2012 with an official office and classroom.

-Work with local churches, specifically in Benin City.

-Implement the A2S model in other cities in Nigeria and beyond, as deemed necessary and appropriate.

-Provide this service for no charge to our youth participants.

-Share Christian values, but open programs to youth of all religious affiliations.

THANKS FRIENDS!