Success Stories

Stories Of Growth & Achievement

Kemar Thorpe

Kemar Thorpe, age 9, is a Grade 4 student at Mt. Zion Primary & Infant School. His mother, Asha Gaye Downer, has been actively involved in his development and the family’s engagement with the academy. Kemar, alongside his siblings - Anessa Bulgin and Dontae Salmon - participates in early morning training, hitting tennis balls at 6:30 a.m., as well as structured evening sessions. Although Kemar’s reading comprehension initially lagged behind his grade level, the academy’s targeted interventions - such as guided oral reading - have helped him improve both his academic skills and self-confidence.
Additionally, thanks to a generous donor from Boston, Kemar receives private tutoring from one of his school’s teachers, fully funded by the donor. In recognition of his potential, he was awarded a full two-year scholarship.
Kemar stands out for his growing academic success and his dedication to tennis. With his siblings Anessa and Dontae also actively participating in the program, their family is a shining example of how education, mentorship, and tennis open doors to brighter futures. Their journey is a testament to the power of family support, opportunity, and the academy’s mission to transform lives.

Jennifer Brown

This is Jennifer Brown’s success story with the children she brings from Norwood, Montego Bay, Jamaica. Every Saturday, she brings 10 to 15 children from one of the toughest communities to participate in the Jamaica Non-Profit Tennis Academy & Enrichment Centre program.
The van arrives at 8:00 a.m. to pick up the children, yet many of them are already gathered at Jennifer’s house by 5:30 a.m., eagerly waiting for transportation. Their excitement is a powerful reflection of how much the program means to them.
Children such as Clake (4 years old), Miles McPherson (6 years old), and Fernando Jackson (7 years old) look forward to every Saturday. After each session, they return home excitedly sharing their experiences with friends, teachers, and family members, proudly saying, “I’m playing tennis!”
The children cannot wait to see the coaches, practice their skills, spend time with their friends, and participate in the fun activities each week. The impact extends beyond the tennis court, bringing joy, confidence, discipline, and hope into their homes and communities.
“The kids can’t wait for the following Saturday for their next classes,” said Jennifer Brown. “They are up early every week, excited and ready to go. They talk about tennis all week long and share their experiences with everyone they know.”
Jennifer’s story is a testament to how tennis is being used as a vehicle to transform lives, inspire dreams, and create opportunities for children in some of Montego Bay’s most underserved communities.