The Homes of Ulu Wini in Kona, Hawaii

 Aviation for Humanity was honored to visit The Homes of Ulu Wini in Kona, Hawaii.  The Homes of Ulu Wini serve as affordable and transitional homes for families with minor children.  They currently support 96 households, which include roughly 200 children. Their mission is to end the cycle of homelessness through educational programs, affordable housing, and community support. 
 
  The residents of The Homes of Ulu Wini come from diverse backgrounds with the majority of the population from the Marshall Islands. With the current lava flow devastation from the Kilauea volcano, the facility has seen an increase in demand.  The lava started on May 3rd, 2018, leaving roughly 1150 people homeless in Puna, and the losses continue!
 
  Kimberly Perkins, of Aviation for Humanity, was honored to receive a tour of their facility.  The children showed her their after-school program, which included a program that focused on nutrition using a bicycle-powered blender for healthy smoothies.  The children proudly showed off their garden, which consisted of cacao, cotton, papayas, and other tropical fruits.  The children and faculty forged life in a previously dry lava field. While the facility is not completely sustainable, they are working on ways to use their produce in productive and meaningful ways.
 
 Aviation for Humanity hopes to create a lastly relationship with The Homes of Ulu Wini.  If you are traveling to the Kona area and would like to volunteer at their facility to support the children with reading, sports, a career day lecture, etc. or if you would like to bring supplies to the facility, please email us to coordinate logistics: AviationForHumanity@gmail.com
 
  We thank the community of The Homes of Ulu Wini and look forward to our next visit.  Mahalo!

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