Omenaa Mensah and Rafał Brzoska spend nearly half a million złoty for Children’s holidays

Inspired by the iconic “Mr. Kleks Academy”, the Omenaa Foundation and Rafał Brzoska Foundation are launching their first summer camps for selected orphanages across Poland, titled “Become Who You Wish to Be”. They have dedicated close to half a million złoty for this cause, funds gathered from the Grand Charity Auction and the Business 2.0 conference.

Several dozen children from across Poland will enjoy a magical summer retreat at the scenic Gołuchów castle near Kalisz, the filming location for parts of the new rendition of the renowned classic “Mr. Kleks Academy” by Jan Brzechwa. The world of Professor Ambroży Kleks, brought to life by Tomasz Kot, is a beloved tale for many generations. The first of two segments of this new movie adaptation is set to premiere in 2024. The financing for this camp initiative was sourced from the Grand Charity Auction and the Business 2.0 conference.

The Omenaa Foundation and Rafał Brzoska Foundation have scheduled two camp sessions for orphans aged 8 – 14. The first session, for ages 8 – 11, commenced on July 31 and wrapped up on August 9. The subsequent session, set for August 19 to 29, is for ages 12-14. The participating kids come from various orphanages, including those in Suwałki, Łódź, Jelenia Góra, Kutno, Nienadów, Warsaw, and others. Here, they will indulge in memorable holidays, unearth their talents, and even get a chance to lay the groundwork for their movie. The “Become Who You Wish to Be” initiative has garnered support from the RiO Vibe Psychological Support Center and the Genius Life Foundation.

Omenaa Foundation’s core mission is to identify and nurture the outstanding talents in these children, providing them with a platform to grow during the camp. Essential to the camp’s success are its psychoeducation sessions and specially-designed Gallup tests. These endeavours aim to bolster the children’s inherent strengths and potential, empowering them to craft their aspirational futures based on innate skills and inclinations.

Talents are the inborn powers and gifts we all possess. They represent opportunities which one can embrace or neglect for a lifetime. At the Omenaa Foundation and Rafał Brzoska Foundation, we are committed to ensuring these talents do not go unrecognised. Every day, we assist children, both in Poland and Africa, to chase their dreams. “Become Who You Wish to Be” is more than a motto; this year, it is our summer initiative for Polish orphans. Omenaa Mensah, founder of the Omenaa Foundation and RiO Edu Center, says, “With the dedicated efforts of our team, we continually strive to bring out the children’s unique abilities and strengths.”

During the camp, an array of activities is on offer:

• Creative workshops, including prepping for their movie, from scriptwriting to designing sets.
• Interactive sessions fostering friendship, respect, and teamwork.

The custom-designed motivational program, “Become Who You Wish to Be”, also incorporates mental health education, facilitated by seasoned professionals from the RiO Edu Center, instilling motivation and confidence in the young attendees, resonating with their individual strengths.