Camp Poa bremen Academy

The Camp Poa is a self-help group that was formed by 15 members from Makongeni village Kinondo Location of Kwale County. Who were concerned of the of the indiscriminate cutting off of trees in their neighborhood for timber, charcoal, firewood and brick burning without replacement as those who cut the trees argued that the trees in their small compounds were their personal property to be cut and sold at will without government or any person’s interference since what they needed was food on the table and not empty rhetoric from leaders. The concerned group set to use by example a member’s compound to demonstrate how trees in people’s compounds could be improved and used as tourist attractions and a source of job opportunities. The group then later started POA Conservation Picnic camp in 2010 with the aim of protecting the environment and using the protected environment to create job opportunities for its members through a picnic camp. The group started the hardest way of learning how to plant tree nurseries, land scarping, seedling transplanting and watering among others. The result is extraordinary. The group now boasts of beautiful panoramic scenery of indigenous and exotic trees and flowers. An antique British Colonial house of the early nineteenth century which is a magnificent unique kind of its own in the surrounding, auspiciously and elegantly stands in the midst of the trees and flowers.

Among the indigenous trees preserved and protected at the camp are those with medicinal value, those with ingredients for hair and skin care beauty, and a mosquito repellent tree which the group plans to revolutionize the search for mosquito management in Kenya. We intend to invite medical experts to examine the tree’s immense value to mankind and its repellent characteristics. According to one of our founder members, Prisca Oyuga Akelo’ “Mosquitoes disappear if you place the leaves of the tree in the house”.One of the trees known as “Mkone” is locally used for dread locks, skin care and has been used as a washing soap for centuries by the local Mijikenda community. Another known as ‘Mdungu’ is used as a toothbrush and treating stomach ailments. The common Neem tree and others known only by their local but not botanical names are in plenty. As part of helping out the community the project also established Bremen academy a school to help teach the local kids who were not going to school.