Camp Ohana Foundation

Education for underprivileged children

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Importance of Education for Underprivileged Children

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For hundreds of underprivileged children in western Kenya in remote villages isolated from the rest of the world by geography, poverty, and a lack of education and technology, Camp Ohana is the answer to prayers. “Ohana” means family, and these children are supported by global donations that allow them to experience that type of loving family and to take part in the type of education that young people in other countries take for granted. Encouragement is given in many programs to enable these children to not only benefit and learn their true potential at the present time but to become citizens and leaders in the future.

Many of these young ones have never held a book in their hands, and Camp Ohana is leading a project to build the first children’s library in western Kenya with completion scheduled for mid-2015. There will be thousands of books, other educational materials, educational programs, and tutoring for science, math and other school subjects. Almost one in five of the children there is illiterate, and learning how to read and write is essential to give the skills needed to go further in life.

It has been important to teach them how to grow nourishing crops and enjoy sanitary and safe water from the 2013 project of a well built for approximately 200 families, which means 1,200 people. An agricultural program teaches practical farming skills on communal farmland, which is a cost and space efficient vertical farming system in which hundreds of varieties of vegetables and fruits are grown. The produce is then distributed to the poorest families, which gives the added satisfaction of learning the thrill of making contributions to the health of the community.

Every three months, a health and wellness program provides a hygiene kit to over 300 children. This kit contains a toothbrush, toothpaste, and a bar of soap to a child who has never owned a toothbrush nor had soap to wash their hands to prevent disease.

Cross-cultural exchange and mentorship programs enable the children to build connections through pen pals from around the world in order to share their culture, broaden their horizons, and make new friends through an exciting adventure. Schools in the United States, Canada and Spain are part of the Camp Ohana Culture Club, with new schools joining all the time.

These children are anxious to learn new skills, discover hidden talents in arts or sports, gain confidence, have cultural exchanges, and slowly learn how to manage in the world as they grow up.

To learn much more about providing education to these underprivileged children and change their lives with a donation of as little as $5.00 a month, please  contact us.

 

Amos Balongo
Chairman and CEO
Camp Ohana Foundation
October 19th 2014

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Camp Ohana Foundation
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone No : 515-864-7002
Email :  info@campohana.org

Camp Ohana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Nonprofit Organization. Donations and Gifts are Tax deductible

Donate to Camp Ohana

Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

Hygiene for Kids

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4 Helpful Tips for Good Hygiene for Kids and Healthy Habits

When it comes to  hygiene for kids, the little ones can often be careless. Good hygiene is imperative, particulary during the flu season when germs are passed around due to uncovered coughs and unwashed hands. Below are 4 helpful tips that you can pass along to your kids to create healthy hygiene habits.

Hand Washing

One hygiene practice that is very important to teach your children is hand washing. This should include having them wash their hands several times a day, after every bathroom use and before eating. Have them use soap and warm water, lathering up their hands and rinsing well. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers are good, but should not replace hand washing.

Oral Hygiene

Oral hygiene is essential and should include brushing teeth twice a day and flossing. Having your kids brush after each meal is ideal too, but bare minimum; once in the morning and once before bed. Dental hygiene for kids means teaching them how to brush correctly as well.

Nails

Discourage your children from biting their nails, especially if you notice them swallowing them. Germs can make their home and breed under fingernails. These germs can be easily transferred to the mouth with nail biting. This can cause digestive tract issues which can result in further problems. Even if your child washes their hands properly, germs can still get under the nail bed, which in itself doesn't cause any real harm, but when being transferred to the mouth, can be a problem. Clipping their nails down short can help minimize the amount of germs that get under the nails.

Hair Care

Keeping your kids hair to a suitable length can help minimize the risk of nits. Since these bugs are spread by contact, keeping hair short will help decrease the risks of transmission. As far as keeping the hair clean, there is no need to wash it daily. This can dry out the scalp and remove natural oils. Wash your child's hair every other day with shampoo.

Good hygiene for kids starts by sitting them down and explaining why it is important to create healthy hygiene habits. Remind them about how easy it is to spread around germs and that proper hygiene will slow this down. Set good examples by brushing your teeth and washing your hands regularly. If you have a cold, show your child how you sneeze or blow your nose into a tissue, throw it away and wash your hands afterwards. Things like this can go a long way in teaching your child proper hygiene.

Here at Camp Ohana Foundation, we are always teaching our Kenya children good hygiene.  Contact us to find out how you can help us help them with a small donation. This will ensure they are provided everything they need from proper hygiene to education.

 

By

Amos Balongo
Chairman and CEO
Camp Ohana Foundation
October 15th 2014

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Camp Ohana Foundation
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone No : 515-864-7002
Email :  info@campohana.org

Camp Ohana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Nonprofit Organization. Donations and Gifts are Tax deductible

Donate to Camp Ohana

Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

Fun family activities can bring the family together

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Fun family activities can bring the family together

Nothing strengthens the family unit more than fun family activities. They don't even have to be expensive activities. In fact, there are many activities that don't cost anything at all. Whether families sit down and watch a movie together or go on a walk around the neighborhood, those moments are creating memories that will last a lifetime.

Some of the best activities are those that are free. Families can spend the evening playing hide and seek in a darkened house or curl up on the bed during a rain storm. Parents can get their kids involved in the planning by allowing their children to choose some of the activities.

A few flashlights and a dark home can create the perfect setting for a game of flashlight tag. Perhaps a picnic in the park followed by a game of family football or catch.

Reading is one of the best activities that families can share together. Children who are read to have an easier time learning how to read for themselves.

Not only that, but children can have their imaginations expanded when they are read to on a regular basis. Families can lay a blanket out on the floor and take turns reading to each other.

Children can also be encouraged to tell stories. Instead of reading books, family members can take turns telling stories. This would be an excellent family activity for around a camp fire.

Regardless of the activities, families can grow closer together by spending quality time together. Many parents are burdened by a busy work schedule that limits the amount of spare time that they have for family activities. Evening walks or early morning story time before work can provide valuable family time.

Time spent together can strengthen family bonds. Families need to spend time doing things as a family. It doesn't matter what the activity is. It's important for families to understand that it's not the quantity of family activities, but the quality of those activities that count.

Even if parents can only find the time to plan one family activity a month, those moments will help shape their children and create memories for the entire family. Parents can sit down with their children and plan activities that the entire family will enjoy.

It doesn't take much to plan activities that the entire family will enjoy. Families can contact us for information on how to plan enjoyable activities.

By

Amos Balongo
Chairman and CEO
Camp Ohana Foundation
October 13th 2014

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Camp Ohana Foundation
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone No : 515-864-7002
Email :  info@campohana.org

Camp Ohana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Nonprofit Organization. Donations and Gifts are Tax deductible

Donate to Camp Ohana

Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

Library to Bolster Importance of Education

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D_learn

Camp Ohana Children’s Library to Bolster Importance of Education

Green Cove Springs, FL – Beginning Monday, October 6, Camp Ohana Foundation is launching fundraising efforts to complete a project which it hopes to be a first for Kenya – a children’s library entirely dedicated to serving the kids in a rural village.

In the works for several years, the children’s library project aims to provide increased awareness of the importance of education. Many Westerners downplay the importance of books and education as an essential need in underdeveloped countries like Kenya. Groups of children in Kenyan villages have never even held a book, let alone received the education necessary for them to live prosperous, well-informed lives. Camp Ohana Foundation will soon commence increased efforts to raise money for a children’s library oriented to making literacy a top priority for Kenya.

The non-profit organization continually emphasizes the need for books and literacy to better the lives of Kenyan children. Education allows these kids to better understand the world they live in. It can also help prevent against forming unfounded superstitions and arm kids with the tools needed to protect themselves and family members with healthy practices. Increased literacy also improves the well-being of communities around the world, producing less crime and poverty.

By placing the building blocks of knowledge in their hands, the children’s library will offer free access to books for children at Camp Ohana village. Camp Ohana Foundation representatives state that this is their most important campaign yet. With a proposed location at Camp Ohana Village, surrounded by rural villages in western Kenya, the library will be the first one solely geared towards children in Kenyan history. Previously, the foundation’s children literacy program has been operated out of a dilapidated house with a leaking roof. The organization hopes that donations for the library project can change that. A new facility will foster hope, inspiration, increased literacy, and a better environment for the Camp Ohana cultural experience program.

Camp Ohana Foundation seeks to raise $10,000 to complete the children’s library during the campaign. The program has collected enough books over the years to be housed in the new library; now, all that is needed are funds to complete the project. Operating as a United States public charity and non-profit organization with tax-exempt status, Camp Ohana Foundation encourages donations of all sizes to help reach the projected goal. All donations and gifts are tax deductible.

For more information, visit Camp Ohana Foundation Campaign!

About Camp Ohana Foundation:

Camp Ohana Foundation is a non-profit organization dedicated to helping the children of Kenya to realize those practices that matter most – play, learn, lead. Camp Ohana Foundation offers educational programs throughout Kenya in agriculture, health, clean water, wildlife stewardship, and more. Interactive programs such as cross-cultural pen pals and girls mentoring also make Camp Ohana Foundation the success it has become. Striving to serve as many kids with as many resources as possible, the foundation aims to leave no Kenyan child behind.

Contact:
Amos Balongo
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
info@campohana.org
515-864-7002

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Help & Support

Camp Ohana Foundation
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone No : 515-864-7002
Email :  info@campohana.org

Camp Ohana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Nonprofit Organization. Donations and Gifts are Tax deductible

Donate to Camp Ohana

Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

How Much Water Should You Drink

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How Much Water Should You Drink?

Water is necessary for the human body to function properly. It is important for everything from regulating body temperature to helping the functioning of the kidneys and liver to keeping tissues and joints moist. It is so essential that humans can only live a few days without drinking water.

How much water should you drink each day? The Mayo Clinic and the Institute of Medicine recommend approximately 13 cups (3.1 liters) for men and 9 cups (2.2 liters) for women. That does include water as well as other fluids from foods and beverages. People do get about 20% of their needed fluids from food. This recommendation is only slightly more than the well-known suggestion of 8 cups.

Pregnant and breast-feeding women need increased amounts of fluids, sometimes up to 13 cups (3.1 liters). While infants do not need water until at least six months, children do. How much water should you drink if you are a child? Children need approximately 4 to 8.5 cups (1 to 2 liters) depending on their age, weight, and environment.

Activity and environment also have an effect on the amount of water needed. Sweating caused by exercise or warm weather will increase the amount of water a person needs. While it is rare, it is possible to drink too much water. The condition of hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) primarily affects endurance athletes like marathon runners. Dehydration, when your body does not have enough fluid to function properly, is a more common condition. Young children and the elderly are especially at risk.

While people in the developed world generally have water right in their homes, millions of people in Kenya do not have access to the safe water they need. They have to walk a great distance to collect water, and this work is often performed by women and children. They do not have the luxury to wonder how much water should you drink, and instead must worry about having safe water at all.

Camp Ohana Foundation has made it a priority to makes sure children and their families in this part of western Kenya have clean water. At first, we brought in 2,500 gallons of water each week for human and agricultural uses. Then in 2013, we constructed a well that provides clean water to about 200 families (1,200 people).

To help keep the well providing water to children, please contact us to make a donation.

By

Amos Balongo
Chairman and CEO
Camp Ohana Foundation
October 8th 2014

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Camp Ohana Foundation
411 Walnut Street, Suite 7797
Green Cove Springs, FL 32043
Phone No : 515-864-7002
Email :  info@campohana.org

Camp Ohana Foundation is a 501(c)(3) Public Charity Nonprofit Organization. Donations and Gifts are Tax deductible

Donate to Camp Ohana

Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

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