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