Camp Kenya - Volunteer in Kenya 1-3 months

What do you believe to be the biggest factor in being a successful company?

Camps International has the most outstanding achievement as a result of growth of our responsible travel model across new locations, countries and continents. Camps International started in Kenya in 2002 and the model has been so successful that it has been replicated in Tanzania, Uganda, Borneo, Vietnam, Cambodia and Ecuador and recently introduced Malawi. As the overlying principal of Camps International is to engage people from all over the world with local host communities and work together on sustainable development projects and thereby creating a platform to connect communities, as a result we have been recognized international and won several awards based on our ongoing success and increased scale of the model which we have developed through painstaking trial, error and analysis in partnership with indigenous peoples for the past 12 years.

Every successful idea is syndicated throughout our locations as is every lesson learned, which can clearly be demonstrated by our growth internationally both in terms of areas of operation and the rapidly increasing diversity of students traveling with us from different countries.

How have you changed/grown since working for your current company?

Camps' aim is to develop and implement strategies to alleviate poverty by tackling the root causes of poverty, and providing the support and direction necessary to build capacity, generate income, provide equitable access to resources and opportunities and protect human rights, thereby empowering each community. Therefore, for over five years I have been modeled by Camps to be responsible and not to take things for granted. Everyone has the potential to thrive in life, no matter how difficult life can be but they lack the opportunities to achieve their ambitions and prosper in life.

I have learned how to develop and implement projects that focus around marginalized groups such as women, children and the poor and that are sustainable for the local environment. These projects offer the required support to enhance the essential process to break the cycle of poverty. Camps international does not give cash hands out, we believe in a sustainable solution; our projects are real and target to benefit the entire community, we believe in a long term socially and academically benefits that have the potential to avert poverty in any destitute community.

What unique qualities does your company possess?

Camps International provides engaging, real-world experiences for gap years and school groups. With 12 years’ experience it is among global leaders in responsible travel and offers fully supported school expeditions and curriculum based field trips to Africa, Asia and Latin America.

Despite the general global economic depression, which has unquestionably affected tourism as a whole, Camps International has continued to grow steadily with increased numbers of visitors annually, and a growing portfolio of new destinations that requires substantial investment in the hosting country and not just in marketing.

Camps' project are world leaders in their implementation and delivery and this has motivated a significant number of young traveling from numerous countries to participate in our structured Community Service Based Programs and that over the past 12 years of operating Camps located within the heart of the local community, gives it a responsible edge that no other operator has met.

Camps International build, staff and deliver the entire range of experience in partnership with communities, year round, no exceptions. We measure all our achievements through independent auditing, ongoing monitoring and evaluation. We carefully assess the economic and social impact of each new initiative before implementing new ideas, working on a thorough and ongoing consultation process with local people and stakeholders.

We own our own Camps located within the community premises and the design and construction of these permanent infrastructure respects the natural and cultural heritage surroundings in siting, design, impact assessment and land rights acquisition.

Describe a time when you felt especially proud to be part of your current team.

Camps International runs an award winning programs that have proven to be sustainable and have benefited thousands of unfortunate communities both socially and academically in Africa, Asia and South America. Therefore, it has been recognized worldwide for its consistent effort of facilitating and encouraging responsible travel.

Camps has been heavily involved in projects that improve education, sustain livelihoods and encourage responsible and ethical tourism. It has created a model that has changed the life of the less fortunate people through the implementation of sustainable and meaningful project such as Community based development projects, Wildlife and environmental project as well as Eco-tourism. Therefore Camps International have been awarded several Awards as shown below:

• Finalist: The Safari Awards 2014 - "Best Community Focused Safari Property"
• Winner: Global Angel Awards 2013 - "Company with exceptional DNA"
• Winner: Global Angel Awards 2012 - "Outstanding Social Enterprise"
• Winner: Eco-Warrior Kenya Award 2010 - "Most Sustainable Community Based Tourism Enterprise"
• Winner: Virgin Holidays Responsible Tourism Awards 2008 - "Best Volunteering Organization"

This makes me feel proud to be part of this successful team that is recognized to be one of the leading responsible Organization that sustains community livelihood and environmental sustainability for the better of the future generation.

What is the best story you've heard from a return student?

The best story that I've heard from a return student was that, after spending time with us working alongside communities and understanding their needs, he learned not to take things for granted in life but to appreciate and be a responsible person. That he was privileged to travel and meet with the poor communities and help in Africa, Kenya through Camps. He mentioned that the trip was an eye opening and made him feel that he is spoilt and that he needed to reform and learn to help those who are in need in order to change their life.

In this story it clearly shows that this student not only enjoyed the trip, but had a life changing experience that positively impacted his life forever. Camps International believes that the future of tomorrow in on the hands of young people and any child has a potential to have a better life if given an opportunity to develop and this can be made possible by the provision of the most fundamental requirements.