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This is an archived USAID document retained on this web site as a matter of public record.

USAID Partners with Private and Non-Profit Organizations to Bring U.S. Professional Basketball Players to Kenya

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 13, 2005
2005-079
Press Office: 202-712-4320
Public Information: 202-712-4810
www.usaid.gov

Contact: USAID Press Office

WASHINGTON, D.C. - The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) participated in a press conference today at the National Press Club with partners Land O'Lakes Inc., International Development Division and Hoops4Africa to spearhead a program called "Jump4Life." The program hopes to reach at least two million people with a persuasive message about HIV/AIDS prevention through healthy and responsible lifestyle choices and the importance of good nutrition.

The Jump4Life mission is to combine starpower influence with food industry expertise to affect social change and promote good nutrition among sports-minded youth and young adults in Kenya, specifically focusing on curbing the tide of the HIV/AIDS pandemic and improving the quality of life for those living with the disease.

"The objectives of this initiative are consistent with one of the priority action areas of Kenya's National Strategic Framework and with USAID's role in the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief," said Jim Thompson, Deputy Director of USAID's Global Development Alliance Secretariat. "In the fight against HIV/AIDS, it is going to take well-managed leveraging of commitment and contributions by as many stakeholders as possible, government and non-government, to be successful in reducing the impact this pandemic is having on the African people."

While in Kenya, the delegation will conduct various activities including sports clinics, exhibition games at schools and college campuses and the creation of public service announcements. They will use these venues to convey messages about the importance of sportsmanship, education, eating right and making good decisions, spreading the Jump4Life motto of "play safe, live long, eat right, stay strong."

The professional basketball delegation will include: Chasity Melvin of the Washington Mystics; Rodney White of the Golden State Warriors; Adia Barnes of the Seattle Storm; Steffond Johnson of the Los Angeles Clippers (retired); Jerry Reynolds of the Milwaukee Bucks (retired); Loree Moore and Coach Marianne Stanley of the New York Liberty; and Adrienne Goodson of the Charlotte Sting.

Hoops4Africa (www.hoops4africa.org) has received support from more than 200 NBA and WNBA players, a bipartisan group of Members of Congress, and Washington-area businesses including the MCI Center, Washington Sports Entertainment, Verizon Communications, Alexander Key Investments, and HomeWorks Remodeling Associates.

Land O'Lakes (www.landolakesinc.com) established its International Development Division in 1981 and is currently implementing food industry development projects in 33 countries, eleven of which are in Africa.

The U.S. Agency for International Development has provided economic and humanitarian assistance worldwide for more than 40 years. For more information on USAID, visit: http://www.usaid.gov.

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