Camp Ohana Foundation

Heeding the Call

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The current state of global deforestation is very alarming.  In a data released by the World Resources Institute, the year 2017 was the second worst year recorded as far as tree cover loss is concerned.  Despite concerted efforts from various sectors, the number just keep on piling up.

However, as they say, all hope is not lost, and as inhabitants of mother earth, we need to continue to do our part and in due time, everything will pay off.

In Kenya alone,  the forest coverage is at 7.6% below the target level of 10%.  We deem it necessary to take this matter seriously. Thus, we at Camp Ohana Village are doing our part by spearheading a year round tree planting project at the Camp Ohana Village. We launched our Sponsor A Tree program this past March.

A Journey of a thousand miles begins with one step. Although the level of deforestation is alarming, we are doing our part and ask you our fans, donors and supporters to join us on this journey to plant as many trees as we possibly can and reintroduce many indigenous trees that were once cut down.

Imagine what we can do if we all join hands.

It is time to heed the call, Camp Ohana Foundation is looking for folks to sponsor a tree in support of our tree planting efforts.  Every tree you sponsor will be planted in your honor.

I look forward us planting as many trees as we possibly can.

Click on the link/photo below to sponsor a tree.

https://tinyurl.com/Sponsor-A-Tree

 

 

Camp Ohana Foundation Celebrates 10 Years

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This past March Camp Ohana Foundation marked a major milestone, we turned 10 years. It is hard to believe that we have been around for a Decade.

When I look back and reminisce on where we started, my heart is filled with joy at what we have accomplished in 10 years and gratitude to all of you who have been a part of this transformational journey.

In commemoration of our 10th year, we embarked on a year long tree planting project in response to the forest degradation and deforestation in the country.  In March of this year, we planted 300 trees, many of which were reintroduced indigenous species that were once cut down and destroyed. Many of these trees were donated and sponsored by friends of Camp Ohana Foundation who now have trees at Camp Ohana Village named after them.

As Part of this year long tree planting initiative is the “Sponsor a Tree,” program. We will name a tree in honor of each donor who makes a contribution that goes towards planting a tree at Camp Ohana Village.

It has been 10 great years, we have done so much with very few resources. What better way to celebrate this milestone by planting trees that will last a lifetime.

Sponsor a tree today, click on the link below
Plant a tree at Camp Ohana Village

 

The Power of Women

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I am a believer in the power of women.  A huge part of who I am today has to do with how my mother raised me. Mothers have a significant influence in their children’s lives . During my formative years, my mother was there guiding me and  coaching me . The love and care mothers share with their children lays the foundation for their children’s character in the future.

Mothers or women in general, are now more, should I say versatile.  They are no longer simply homemakers, but are involved in various industries.  Teachers, scientists, doctors, lawyers, you name it, women are there. No longer just a man’s world I tell you.

Empowering young girls to excel is what I bring to Camp Ohana Village.  Showing them opportunities they never knew existed and helping them reach their full potential is at the heart of our Girls mentoring program.

10 years ago when I began Camp Ohana Foundation, I empathize with the young girls women in the village especially after hearing their stories. Their level of self-confidence and self-esteem was very low.

This is the very reason why I developed the Girls Mentoring Program at Camp Ohana village .  We are all equal in this world. What a man can do, a woman can do and vice versa. By bringing in women leaders from various parts of the world to Camp Ohana village, the young girls can see that, yes it is possible for a woman to excel in any field.

Today all the young girls at Camp Ohana Village know have high self esteem and know that they have the potential to  achieve significance if they actively pursue their dreams and live a life of purpose

An empowered woman empowers a child.  Simple math, – what we instill in the minds of women they pass it on to their children.  Hence, we are working towards creating future global leaders.

“To all the little girls who are watching, never doubt that you are valuable and powerful and deserving of every chance and opportunity in the world to pursue and achieve your own dreams.” —Hillary Clinton

Our Mission is Our Blessing

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I have had many people come into my life, they have added value to me and that has been an incredible blessing to me.

I am a frequent traveler, I have traveled to over 35 countries speaking and teaching leadership.  One of my most beloved place to visit is Camp Ohana Village.  This remote village located in Western Kenya is a place of pure love and full of genuine happiness. Seeing the happy faces of the children at Camp Ohana Village is such a delight. Often people say that these children  are so blessed because Camp Ohana Foundation strives alleviate their plight. I do not see it that way. I believe that we are more blessed and fortunate to have the privilege of adding value and impacting the lives of these wonderful children.

The children at Camp Ohana Village opened my eyes to finding innate happiness in the simplicity of life.  I never appreciated the value of water not until I saw how happy the children were when we sank the first well in the village.  It was sheer joy to see their faces lit up and a feeling of accomplishment to know that these children now had access to clean safe drinking water.

The excitement in the children’s hearts when we built at Camp Ohana Village the first children’s library in Kenya.  It was fulfilling to see the eagerness to learn and the quest for knowledge that each child has. The outpouring of emotions and the moments that take your breathe away at Camp Ohana Village are my treasures.  Real treasures that will last a lifetime.  

My mission with Camp Ohana Foundation is a blessing to me.  The work we have done has inspired us to be better, to reach deep into our hearts and pockets and help those who need us, to appreciate life more and to experience joy not from what is temporal but from what is innate.

The work we are doing at Camp Ohana Village is far from over.  Still a long long way to go. It is a continuous process. I really encourage you to join and support us in this mission.  Truly, this is an experience you will never forget.

 

 

Volunteering for Camp Ohana

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Volunteering for Camp Ohana

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There is a great reward and satisfaction to be gained through volunteering. This reward is, of course, not of the traditional kind, but of something else. This is the kind of reward that transcends monetary rewards. That being said, of course monetary value is important today. We need money to move and survive. However there is power from doing work simply because you believe in it. Passion and integrity fuel your efforts and the money follows as a bonus. The greatest satisfaction to be gained from this is the difference that volunteering makes in every life you touch.

Volunteering for a good cause ensures that lives will be enhanced and people empowered. There is a different kind of reward that comes with helping people. It is a different kind of thrill that money cannot buy. It is truly rewarding knowing that you are making a difference.

Camp Ohana provides volunteers with this kind of satisfaction. The organization helps underprivileged children of Kenya in various ways. Through its strong volunteer program Camp Ohana provides Kenyan children various opportunities to grow and develop themselves through play, education, protection of the environment, health and wellness and more. Through its dedicated volunteers and generous donations, Camp Ohana provides displaced and underprivileged Kenyan children with opportunities that they would never have realized. Volunteering at Camp Ohana is fun, productive and fulfilling because you know that you are genuinely helping children get a second chance at a better life. Volunteer or donate today and see for yourself the power of volunteering and giving of yourself.

By Amos Balongo
Chairman and CEO
Camp Ohana Foundation

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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

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Copyright Camp Ohana 2016

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