Camphill official to speak on program for developmentally disabled

WAILUKU — The North American president of the Camphill Association, an international movement that establishes communities for children and adults with developmental disabilities, will be speaking on Monday at the Cameron Center Conference Room.

The visit by Coleman Lyles is being arranged by Lokelani ‘Ohana, a nonprofit organization creating a Camphill-inspired life-sharing home, community and activities on Maui. The free gathering runs from 5:30 to 8 p.m.

Lyles guides the direction of 12 Camphill communities and other activities as the North American president. He began as a house parent and the financial director for Camphill Beaver Run, a community for people who are developmentally disabled between the ages of 5 and 21 in Glennmore, Pa.

He later moved west, helping to establish a Camphill community in Soquel, Calif. With Lyles as executive director, the community recently celebrated its 10-year anniversary.

Lokelani ‘Ohana invites families, friends, caregivers, educators and people with developmental disabilities to the gathering. Lyles will be at the event to listen to the concerns and hopes of people in the audience as well as offering his expertise in organizing Camphill-inspired communities, according to Christina Chang, vice president of Lokelani ‘Ohana.

Lokelani ‘Ohana currently works with about 70 people with developmental disabilities in farming and saori weaving programs. The farming program in Waihee, run by Chang, serves Ka Lima O Maui, Easter Seals and Alternative Care Services. The saori weaving program, under the direction of Dana Allen, is run at Ka Lima O Maui and Easter Seals, according to a news release.

The group also has a “life sharing” home in Waihee, said Chang. Lokelani ‘Ohana’s goal is to obtain a parcel of land to create a Camphill-inspired community.

Since its founding in 1939, the Camphill movement has provided residential care, education, training and vocational opportunities to thousands of people with developmental disabilities.

“Camphill focuses on the abilities of each person, not the disabilities,” said the Camphill Communities California Web site. “In Camphill, individuals with developmental disabilities live and work together with career volunteers in extended family settings.

. . . Each individual is encouraged to contribute his or her own special gifts and talents.”

Camphill’s founder is Dr. Karl Koenig, an Austrian pediatrician and educator, who was inspired by the work of philosopher and educator Rudolf Steiner. The first Camphill community was founded in Aberdeen, Scotland, in 1939. The International Camphill Movement currently consists of more than 100 communities in 22 countries, according to the Camphill of North America Web site.

Lokelani ‘Ohana asks that those attending RSVP because a buffet dinner and refreshments will be provided. To make reservations or for more information, call 249-0254. Additional information is available at Web site www.lokelaniohana.org.