Kids for Change, the youth-led nonprofit based by Kingston Marley—a South Florida native with Jamaican roots and a student-athlete at Miami Palmetto Senior Excessive (Class of 2026)—has formally launched its ninth annual Reward an Training fundraiser marketing campaign for the 2025–2026 college yr. The marketing campaign continues its mission to interrupt down boundaries to training for underserved college students in Jamaica.
Kingston, the son of reggae artist Ky-Mani Marley and grandson of Bob Marley, first launched the initiative at simply 9 years previous, after attending his aunt’s Love Limitless Summer season Camp in Jamaica. Deeply moved by the struggles native youth confronted—notably the price of textbooks, that are required however not offered totally free in Jamaica’s public colleges—he felt personally compelled to assist. To him, these kids have been greater than strangers; they have been pals. That summer time ignited a lifelong dedication, resulting in the creation of Kids for Change with the purpose of guaranteeing equal entry to training.
Now 17, Kingston has grown his grassroots initiative into a strong power for good, offering 1000’s of textbooks to college students in want throughout Jamaica. “Each child deserves a good shot,” Kingston says. “It begins with having the fundamentals–just like the books you want–to really be taught.”
Along with this yr’s textbook fundraiser, Kingston is getting ready for his or her 2nd Giveback Getaway journey, a signature “voluntourism” journey the place vacationers are invited to discover the sweetness and tradition of Jamaica whereas collaborating in hands-on service initiatives like portray colleges, planting meals gardens to assist scale back the price of college lunches, and neighborhood cleanups. “It’s a trip with function,” Kingston explains. “You’re not simply going to Jamaica–you’re connecting with the folks, the tradition and also you’re doing one thing good whilst you’re there. That’s what makes it the very best type of journey.”
Kingston can be captivated with youth empowerment. This summer time, Kids for Change is introducing a brand new summer time internship program for native highschool college students trying to earn neighborhood service hours for commencement, increase their faculty resumes, and acquire real-world nonprofit expertise. As a full-time student-athlete himself, Kingston understands the worth of balancing teachers, sports activities, and repair—and hopes to encourage different teenagers to guide by instance. “You’re by no means too younger or too busy to make a distinction,” he says.
Whether or not you donate, be part of the Giveback Getaway, or volunteer as an intern, Kids for Change invitations you to hitch a motion the place younger persons are main the cost for a brighter future in Jamaica.
To help the marketing campaign or be taught extra, go to www.children4change.com.
