CAMP CHATCHOU AFRICA BASKETBALL

“If you don't have a DREAM, you don't have ANYTHING”
This is my mother’s favorite quote.


My name is Daniel  Chatchou. I was born in Cameroon, Africa and moved to Queens, New York as a teenager. I know what it’s like, growing up in poverty with economic challenges, and I have made it my personal mission, to help other kids, just like me, find their way out of such conditions.
 
God blessed me with the athletic gift and talent of playing basketball, which led me to play at the college level in the United States and, eventually, professionally in various international leagues all over the world. I have also been blessed in landing jobs with multiple NBA franchises. God has given me tremendous opportunities to do great things, meet new and inspiring people and enjoy the sport that I love. For this, I am eternally grateful.

Now, however, it is my turn to do some of God’s work. I want to help provide this opportunity to children in Africa.
Growing up in poverty with innumerable economic challenges, we made it our personal mission, to help other kids, just like us, find their way out of such conditions.  

 In order to do some of God’s work, we  want to help provide opportunities to children in Africa.

 We began “CAMP CHATCHOU AFRICA” for at-risk youth in Cameroon in 2014. We are a Non-Profiit organization dedicated to aiding, mentoring, and creating opportunities for the young boys and girls who are exposed to tough upbringings, rough socioeconomic conditions and the multitude of other challenging circumstances. 

 The goal of CAMP CHATCHOU AFRICA is to reach out to the community and to provide opportunities for kids to develop and cultivate leadership skills and let them know that they, themselves can be the future leaders of our society. We believe these are lessons that can be taught through the sport of basketball as well as education.

 The strength and perseverance we have seen in these young boys and girls is inspiring, leading us to not only hold this camp for the fifth straight year, but to open the camp up to an additional 100 kids, bringing our total number of campers to 200. This year, camps will be held in the cities of Dschang and Douala, Cameroon on December 23th through December 29th , 2020.  Hopefully  we will be giving our campers the gifts of this experience and lifelong memories. 

 THIS is where we need YOUR help. 

 
OUR GOAL is $18,000.

 We have already pledged to use $2,000 out of our  own pocket to get started, but with how much we strive to give to these kids, just $2,000 won’t cut it. 

AN INSIDE LOOK AT OUR CAMP: 

Every year, we take all the campers and coaches to the local movie theater for a “movie night”, an outing our campers would not otherwise be able to afford. We also have a “reading day”, where we teach the campers basic English words and expressions. On December 23rd, we will have a "Haircut Day”, when we bring in local barbers to give free haircuts to the campers and coaches. Lastly, we have an All-Star Game and award ceremony on the final day of the camp. 

 All proceeds will go to operation costs as well as the following:

⁃ 3 Meals Per Day for All Campers

- Water and Electrolyte Beverages

⁃ 200 Backpacks

⁃ 200 Basketball Uniforms

⁃ 200 Basketballs

- 200 Pair of Socks

⁃ 70 Training Cones

⁃ 10 Basketball Nets

⁃ 10 Coaching Boards

⁃ Movie Night Admission and Snacks

⁃ Books, to Promote Learning

⁃ Haircuts, to Promote a Positive Self Image 

- Lodging and Transportation

 
We will be flying to Cameroon with one American coach and several volunteers to help support as instructors, in addition to a guest Speaker to present at camp. We will share our life experiences, our journeys to success, and why it is imperative to be dedicated to our education and take advantage of every opportunity that is so often presented to us. 

In order to accomplish these ambitious goals, we need your help in donations. Every penny of each donation goes to helping these children recognize their potential and to having a unique camp experience. Additionally, for those unable to offer a monetary donation, or who are looking for other ways to help, we graciously ask you to SHARE it with friends and family. We value the connections you may have, to help with sponsoring and donating to our camp. 

The level of excitement and hope seen in these children’s eyes, and their eagerness to learn, is unmatched to anything we have ever seen. Please, help us to improve and continue to grow.

Thank you in advance and let’s make this dream come true.

Daniel Chatchou
Founder, Camp Director