Basketball Camp Website

*Partnered with Stamford Peace Youth Foundation*

This past summer I represented my family’s home country, Kosovo, in the European Small Countries Basketball Championships. The experience was the thrill of a lifetime; filling me with immense gratitude and inspiring me to do all I could in the future to help create opportunities for Kosovo’s young people. Unfortunately, the long-time war in Kosovo and throughout former Yugoslavia took a tremendous toll. As a result, the country remains poor, with too few opportunities for its young people to play, work, or dream.

Returning “home” left me thinking how different my life would have been had my parents not emigrated to America. And how advantaged I have been by the road paved by my American education and the opportunity to learn and grow through the game of basketball. My heart broke thinking about how had my parents remained in Kosovo, I would have had a slim chance of living my dreams of attending and playing Division 1 college basketball at Fordham University or working for the NBA. Truly, how many Kosovo young people might have had the same dreams, but without opportunities, experiences, role models, or financial resources to make them come true. Needless to say, I returned from Kosovo deeply inspired and motivated to do anything and everything I could to make a difference in the lives of these young people who so easily might have been me.

After a year of planning and preparation, and with the help of my long-time personal mentor and friend, Coach K, as well as countless other supporters, I am proud to say that I will be returning to Kosovo this Summer to run a first-ever Kosovo Heritage Basketball Camp with U.S visiting experienced coaches. The camp will take place from August 21-26 — with the goal of educating, empowering, and inspiring young people in Kosovo by using basketball as a tool to foster their love for the game and dreams for a brighter future.

I am hoping that you will partner with me on behalf of Kosovo’s young people. Our budgeted expenses for this camp total $25,000, of which Coach K has generously pledged the initial $3,600. Anything you would be willing to contribute would be hugely appreciated. No donation is too small; every dollar counts.

I thank you in advance! If you have any questions as to how your contributions will be used, or concerning anything else relating to the camp, please feel free to either refer to the brochure or reach out to me directly. Of course, please also share this link with

anyone else you think would be willing to support our efforts.

Use of Funds/Camp info:

Contributions may be made - in cash or in kind - towards travel, lodging, facility rentals, staff stipends, and specialty basketball equipment, all as described in Use of Funds.

Fiscal sponsorship of the camps is being provided through Stamford Peace Youth Foundation, a U.S. 501 (c) (3) not-for-profit organization. Tax-deductible contributions supporting the camps will be accepted via check or otherwise online.

With the utmost gratitude,

Edona Thaqi