Five countries - Eight projects

PROJECT 1

Cambodia - Countrywide

Cambodian Refugee-led Humanitarian Mission

Khemaras Center (Pictures by Hongly Khuy, leader)

In 1998-99, the Cambodian refugee community in Hawaii reached out to local organizations in Cambodia to assess needs. As a result, since 2000, in partnership with local Cambodian NGOs and churches, Cambodian refugees in Hawaii have empowered people in Cambodia, especially the homeless, poor, orphans, trauma survivors, elderly, prisoners, and others who struggle to survive daily. The Hawaii refugee community raises funds to support yearlong humanitarian work in Cambodia. And every year since 2000, a refugee-led volunteer team has traveled to Cambodia for a 2-week - Christmas in Cambodia - humanitarian mission. No one receives a salary or gets paid for their work.

Click here to see gallery "What we do"

In 2002, the Khemaras Center was founded. It is a spiritual and social space for the Hawaii refugee community and others who are interested in supporting lasting peace in Cambodia. Khemaras Center members have partnered with community groups throughout the United States to work in Cambodia. In 2015, the Center led over 60 people to Cambodia on its 2 week Christmas humanitarian mission.

The efforts of the Khemaras Center and local Cambodian partners have resulted in lasting positive changes. Individuals have completed their education and are providing for their families. Over a dozen water wells have been built throughout rural Cambodia. Also, 2 community facilities, educational supplies, computers, bikes, medical supplies and services have been provided in the most remote communities of Cambodia.

If you or organization wants to join us, please email Hongly Khuy directly at honglykhuy@gmail.com or facoba@caluyafoundation.org.
cambodia
PROJECT 2

Uganda - Mount Elgon, Sebei

Psycho-Social Center and Mobile mental health teams, Mount Elgon, Uganda.

Our work on Mt. Elgon started in 2016.

Traumatized women and girls who have experienced female genital mutilation need a safe place to heal. The psycho-social center is the first of its kind to serve the Sabiny on Mt. Elgon. The center will provide culturally appropriate mental health services to help individuals and communities heal from trauma.

Caluya Foundation is partnering with NGOs, local professionals and para-professionals to build the center. Currently, we are developing mobile mental health teams to conduct assessments and short-term interventions, as we seek wisdom & raise funds for the center.

A weeklong trip to Uganda was completed in January, 2018. Some highlights:

• 2 town meetings to discuss culturally-relevant strategies to provide mental health services to FGM survivors and their families.
• Team gathered research data to conduct a needs-assessment from approximately 130 respondents from 3 sites.
• Dr. Christina Sanchez, M.D., Pearl Health Clinic, met with local medical personnel to develop volunteer mental health volunteer-team, and a monthly training for Ugandan medical & para-mental health providers through a HIPAA secure online platform.
• Team provided training for mental health professionals and para-professionals.
• Met with local organization and provided funds to (a) purchase sanitary kits & reusable pads (new technology) for young women who live in Kampala slums, (b) support HIV/AIDS prevention education.

Projects and events:

• Monthly online training of Ugandan medical and mental health professionals/para-professionals.
• Develop mobile mental health teams to support FGM survivors & their families; and address mental health needs in Sebei.
• Global Mental Health CEU and community presentation, June 5, 6 – 8 pm, Pearl Health Clinic. CEU units for social workers, counselors, CBRS, peer specialists.
• Eradicate FGM in Uganda 5K Run, September 2018, Idaho Falls, ID.
• Fundraising evening, November 2018, Pearl Health Clinic, Idaho Falls, ID.
• Self-sustaining micro-economic ventures for trauma survivors.

PROJECT 3

Uganda - Kampala

Uganda

Empower at-risk young women and families in Kampala slums.

• Support HIV/AIDS prevention education in Kampala slums

• Keep young women in school by mentoring and funding school fees that impoverished families cannot afford.

• Help fund necessary hygiene products to reduce exploitation of young women, and support educational costs.
PROJECT 4

Rwanda - Countrywide

Rwanda

1994 Genocide Survivor Communities, Widows; AIDS & HIV survivors.

Needs assessment was completed in 2016.

Caluya Foundation travelled again to Rwanda in January 2018, and worked with partner organization on the following ongoing projects:

• Genocide survivor community: Kinyinya Community in Kigali with partner Samaritan Shoulders. Visited with widows and women infected with HIV/AIDS because of sexual assault during genocide.
• Mental health questionnaires gathered from 2 sites.
• Widows identified micro-economic venture as most self-empowering work, as this provides a stable self-sustaining income. Help Caluya Foundation raise funds to purchase sewing machines for women to produce uniforms for school children. They currently produce crafts, jewelry, and clothing for women.
• Caluya Foundation provides funds to support Kinyinya pig farm, another ongoing source of sustainable income for the Kinyinya community.
• Develop eco-tourism to support holistic empowerment.
• Genocide Memorial Group – Peace Curriculum. The Rwandan Dept of Education requires Peace Education be included in curriculum for elementary & high schools to prevent genocides & inter-group conflict. This curriculum can be adapted to support healthier interpersonal skills among youth in America.

PROJECT 5

Rwanda - Countrywide

Orphan Head-Of-Households

Work began in January 2018, when Caluya Foundation provided a 2-day training on mental health skills and Posttraumatic Stress education for staff and orphaned children survivors of the 1994 genocide.

Research data was gathered. Participants identified mental health skills training and micro-economic ventures as most important needs.

PROJECT 6

Kenya - South Sudanese Refugees

A church has intentionally located in a Nairobi slum to serve marginalized and traumatized communities. Caluya Foundation met with over 50 adult South Sudanese refugees who are members of this local church, and live in the slums. At present, there are over 3 million refugees from South Sudan in Kenya. With the help of 6 translators, research data was gathered.

Participants identified human rights, basic life necessities, and micro-economic support as primary needs.

PROJECT 7

Kenya - Mt. Elgon and Traumatized communities

Mount Elgon is shared by Eastern Uganda and Western Kenya. Caluya Foundation is partnering with a local organization led by Dr. Diphus Chemorion and Dr. Edith Chemorion, to build a psychosocial center with mobile units to address the mental health needs of women & children who experience gender-based violence, and traumatized communities because of destructive tribalism. A partnership with St. Paul University in Limuru, Kenya, is being explored to stop patterns of exploitation, and increase post-traumatic growth and holistic empowerment for traumatized populations. Holistic empowerment includes development of mental health skills, financial responsibility through micro-business, and pursuit of education and vocation.

kenya
PROJECT 8

Mexico - Ciudad Juarez

mexico

Build homes for the homeless in Ciudad Juarez, Mexico.

This annual mission began in 1999, and led by Hawaii residents. Home-building volunteers raise the funds to purchase all building materials. The recipient-families also build alongside volunteers, and are accountable to local organizations to ensure appropriate use of the dwelling.

Several families have participated in this short(er) & very meaningful mission experience. If you are interested in helping your family members stretch and grow, while making a huge difference in people's lives, consider this powerful work - just south of the border.