Our Mission
We provide basic food and other supplies for many families (including the Batwa) and porters in rural villages.
We support the self-identified needs of schools that serve local and native children in the USA and throughout the world. We are advocates for children with special needs and talents.
We support projects that promote the ability of local people to meet the challenges of food scarcity and to preserve their indigenous cultures.
We support the dreams and visions of charitable leaders who seek to provide care and support to children and families in local communities throughout the world.
We support servant leaders who provide caring services, education and mentoring for military veterans and their families, first responders, prison inmates, native peoples, equine trainers and ranchers, and others as they learn modern horsemanship to gentle and train wild mustangs. We also support those who help provide forever homes for the mustangs.
We support the conservation efforts of local, national and international individuals and groups who work to ensure the future health of natural environments, marine life and wildlife.
Our Mission Goals
Goal One:
Sustainability: Batwa Farms at Matanda, Uganda
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The Omotani Caring Foundation [OCF] has purchased approximately 10 acres of very fertile and productive farmland at Matanda [near Kihihi] Uganda. In collaboration with the Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative this new farming project will involve and support Batwa families from the Kibirangwe, Nyabisiika, Mukongoro and Karehe settlements. Leaders, elders, youth, and other family representatives from each settlement have visited the farm land and have voluntarily agreed to be a participant in this project. [In the future, additional Batwa settlements may be added to this project.]
Tweheyo Robert and Mushamba Moses will provide the training and support leadership for this farm project. Sahaya International continues its positive partnership with the Omotani Caring Foundation in support of children and families in the Bwindi and Buhoma region.
During the Covid pandemic the loss of tourism revenue and visitors and the shutdown of various activities in rural Uganda caused great challenges and food shortages among the Batwa families and settlements. The Omotani Caring Foundation purchased and distributed food supplies to the Bwindi Plus School, local porters and several Batwa families during these past years.
The OCF has decided to refocus its priority projects in the Bwindi region to provide support for projects that will allow the Batwa and porters to develop new and increased sources of food self-sufficiency and food security for the future.
In 2022 the OCF distributed over $23,000 USD to purchase approximately 10 acres of fertile farm land at Matanda [near Kihihi] Uganda. In 2023 an additional $4,000 USD will be distributed to fund the clearing, leveling and preparation of the land for planting, the purchase of farming tools and seeds, supporting workers for during the planting activity by construction of huts, transportation and meals.
Goal Two:
Porters at Bwindi
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Support the development and expansion of food related sustainability project that will allow the porters in one of the four major porter’s association to supplement the income they receive from tourism.
This project will be coordinated with the support and project accountability controls of the Rafiki Wildlife Conservation Initiative.
http://rafikiwildlife.org/
The OCF will provide small annual grants to purchase bees for honey and chickens for eggs. A few of the porters have already established 35 bee hives that are producing honey. This project will start with one porter association [Bwindi Bujengwe Porters Association] and if the first project is successful, we may expand to include members of additional porter associations in the future.
Goal Three:
Health
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Develop an emergency reserve fund of $5,000 to be used for future purchases and distribution of foods rich in protein such as maize / corn flour, beans and fruits. Also provide for the purchase of soap, masks, medicine and other emergency supplies.
During the 2020 Covid pandemic, individual amounts ranging from $1,000 - $1,500 and totaling over $10,000 USD supported the purchase and distribution of food, soap and medical supplies to students and their families, teachers, Batwa families, and porters in nearby villages.
Additional private grant donations were made, during the Covid pandemic, to additional NGO and travel expedition adventure companies who supported local guides and staff throughout the world.
Goal Four:
Technology
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In 2019 - 2022 the OCF provided over $3,500 USD in funding to support the first computers, printers and digital cameras to be used by school children in Bwindi, Uganda.
In the future grants will be made to support similar projects in the USA, Canada and other regions of the world.
Specifically, the OCF will continue to provide a limited number of high quality digital mirrorless cameras and lenses, Go Pro video cameras, and digital webinars, instructional software and color print materials to support older students being able to learn and practice the basic and advanced skills and art of photography.
Very few local students or adults in remote regions of the world learn the skills necessary to become a professional photographer. Ironically visitors travel from throughout the world travel to remote lands and countries to photograph the natural environment and wildlife and the children.
In partnership with organizations such as Photography Inspiring Children in Conservation [PICC] allow the students to learn photography and use visual photos and videos to tell their stories. In the future we will continue to support the work of PICC and others to encourage children all over the world to develop their skills as photographers and conservationists.
https://www.facebook.com/PICCconservation/
We support Fresh Water and Education programs for Native American families and children who live in poverty and/or remote villages throughout the United States and the world.
Fresh Water and Education
Goal Five:
Fresh Water
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Access to daily fresh drinking water remains a challenge for underserved Native American families throughout the USA and villages throughout the world.
The foundation provides support to local families and groups who address this need by drilling fresh water wells, providing water treatment systems, transport fresh drinking water using tanker trucks or provide fresh drinking water using alternative strategies such as water storage tanks and pipelines.
Goal Six:
Education
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K-12 and Higher education
Children who live in poverty and/or require special education support services exist throughout the United States and the world.
The OCF has provided tuition fees for one orphan student in Bwindi for her entire elementary education. A second Batwa student’s tuition is paid each year. Additional support is being provided for local Batwa education initiatives.
The foundation provides support for Native American children, inner city children, visible minorities and children who live in remote wilderness locations who need additional support. The foundation collaborates with existing educational and community leaders and staff who have demonstrated successful interventions that result in improved educational experiences for the children.
The OCF is proud to support the Barbara Feldman Performing Arts Center in Woodmere, NY.
The Omotani Caring Foundation supports programs such as Therapeutic Riders of Tucson [TROT], Special Olympics, Unified Sports, Find Your Fins, Boys and Girls Clubs, Adaptive Sports and other similar initiatives that allow children, adults and veterans to fully experience a variety of athletic and recreational activities.
Dreams and Vision
Goal Seven:
Donor Requests
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DREAMS AND VISIONS = $ UNLIMITED
Donors who wish to submit a specific request to the OMOTANI CARING FOUNDATION in support of a project or initiative that is meaningful and personal are encouraged to submit a description of the proposal and potential level of funding.
The Omotani Caring Foundation has provided ongoing support for the SIBS PLACE program since 2000. SIBSPLACE (Survivorship in Brothers and Sisters) is a free program serving well children ages 5-17, who are living with a sibling with cancer or another devastating medical illness, or a parent with cancer. SIBSPlace provides guided therapeutic peer support to help well children develop skills to cope with the traumatic and emotional impact of a loved one’s medical diagnosis.
https://sibsplace.org
The Omotani Caring Foundation has provided support for several charitable initiatives that have been initiated by caring families and volunteer organizations.
The Omotani Caring Foundation has supported projects and initiatives that have been initiated by families and individuals for specific charitable initiatives and projects. The OCF provides ongoing support for the William J Semon Family Resource Fund. We encourage others to directly donate in support of this amazing resource fund:
https://www.mercyone.org/desmoinesfoundation/give/give-now/semon-fund
Goal Eight:
The Partners Nepal:
Strengthen Relationships
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Drs. Les and Barbara Omotani [The Omotani Caring Foundation] met Ang Rita Sherpa and Peter Hillary during a 2014 National Geographic Expedition adventure to the Faulkland Islands, South Georgia Island and Antarctica. Throughout the years, Barbara and Les Omotani have provided private donations to support the work of THE PARTNERS NEPAL [TPN].
Ang Rita Sherpa worked for the US National Park service for several years and returned to Nepal with a vision of sharing how Nepal might adopt some of the basic foundation principles and practices of the US parks system. The Partners Nepal is a non-profit, Non-Government Organization [NGO] registered in the Solukhumbu, Province No 1 in Nepal.
The TPN web site (below) describes the members of the team in Nepal, the main projects and publications of the organization. TPN has a solid record of good financial management of donor funds and quality planning and completion of projects. Regular reports are created and published in a timely manner.
The goal for networking and collaboration
One of the primary goals of strengthening our relationship with The Partners Nepal [TPN] is to provide US citizens with an easy and legal way to donate funds to a US 501 c 3, support the projects and work of TPN and qualify for federal tax credits.
The Omotani Caring Foundation will serve as a key communicator and link to The Partners Nepal. We are also pleased to share that Sahaya International, with the support and leadership of Koen Van Rompay, will serve as the primary donation site in the USA for US citizens who wish to support the work of The Partners Nepal and also receive the benefits of a US federal tax credit. The federal tax ID number for Sahaya International is 68-0434770.
All US donors are encouraged to use the existing on-line donation process of the Sahaya International web site. Please indicate in writing that your donation is to support THE PARTNERS NEPAL project(s). 100% of the funds donated to THE PARTNERS NEPAL will be forwarded to TPN for use in supporting their projects.
(https://thepartnersnepal.org/how-to-donate
https://givebutter.com/thepartnersnepal
Of course, individuals who do not wish to donate to a registered US 501 c 3 charity, remain able to send funds directly to The Partners Nepal.
The goals of The Partners Nepal and Sahaya International and The Omotani Caring Foundation are very much in agreement with each other.
We encourage all US supporters to access the web site of THE PARTNERS NEPAL to develop an understanding of their important work in Nepal. https://thepartnersnepal.org
Goal Nine:
Women In Gorilla Conservation
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The Omotani Caring Foundation is pleased to collaborate with Sahaya International and the Rafiki Memorial Wildlife Conservation Initiative to support a project initiated by Robinah Gangiriba [Warden of Tourism of the Ugandan Wildlife Authority].
This important and emerging project was recommended to us by our senior advisor Paul Kirui.
The OCF has made an initial donation to support the purchasing of a new sewing machine, fabrics and other materials.
Click on the link below to learn more about the Women in Gorilla Conservation project.
Goal Ten:
Base Camp For Veterans
(Tucson, AZ)
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We are pleased to add BASE CAMP FOR VETERANS to our list of projects.
Click on the link below to learn about the vision being implemented by a small group of caring and supportive people and the positive impact they are making in the lives of dedicated military veterans and deserving mustangs.
The Omotani Caring Foundation is pleased to support the ongoing engagement of a highly qualified and passionate mustang program facilitator and to sponsor the week-long participation of a deserving veteran in a future base camp program. We look forward to continuing to support Base Camp for Veterans in the future.
Goal Eleven:
Randy Helm Horsemanship
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We are pleased to support Randy Helm and his continuing work to train wild mustangs and to support a wide variety of people to learn how to be good and great horsemanship learners and riders. Randy has successfully led the State of Arizona’s Wild Horse Inmate program and is a facilitator with Base Camp for Veterans. He also leads amazing horsemanship and riding clinics throughout the United States.
https://www.azcowboyministries.com/page/helm-horsemanship-1
https://www.facebook.com/helmhorsemanship/
TRAINING OF WILD MUSTANGS FOR FOREVER HOMES
We are fortunate to know several trainers and ranchers who are dedicated to the positive transformational approach to training wild mustangs and preparing them for new forever homes.
Too many mustangs are destined for starvation due to limited grazing land or are sold to slaughter factories and meat packing plants [often located in Mexico].
Mustangs can be transitioned from the wild and they successfully learn how to become amazing trained horses for a wide variety of riders.
In the near future we hope to announce additional and new opportunities that benefit the wild mustangs and their trainers.