This year marked a milestone. For the first time in the history of the Order of Malta, an African Country was represented in the Order of Malta International Summer Camp. The Order of Malta International Summer Camp is held annually to bring together young people with diverse physical and mental (dis)abilities for a week of cultural exchange, joy, spiritual growth, and friendships that last a lifetime.<\/p>\n
The 2025 edition took place in the Netherlands from 10 to 17 August, welcoming more than 500 participants from 26 nationalities, including the Kenyan delegation, aged between 18 to 35. The delegation proudly carried the National Flag high in the opening mass and consisted of six team members: three guests, namely Benson Muriki, Judy Wambui,<\/p>\n
Dominic Thuku and three Order of Malta Companion helpers, Moses Otieno, Arnold Babu, Nigel Mutuku. The theme of the Camp was \u2018Kings and Queens\u2019. Throughout the week all young disabled guests were celebrated as \u2018Kings and Queens\u2019. They enjoyed a variety of unique activities: from indoor skydiving and skiing, to AI games, boat trips through the canals in Amsterdam, cycling lessons, a gala dinner and lively themed parties every evening. During the international night the Kenyan delegation proudly showcased their country\u2019s culture and culinary traditions. At the heart of the camp were moments for prayer and reflection: daily masses, candle night vigil, and quiet time in the adoration chapel.<\/p>\n
The Kenyan team had the great honour of meeting Grand Master of the Sovereign Military Order of Malta, Fra\u2019 John Dunlap, to whom they presented in traditional Kenyan attire.<\/p>\n
In his opening address at the Camp, the Grand Master reminded participants that the Camp is a unique occasion to experience the grace of sharing life and love with one another. He reflected on Psalm 139, which proclaims that every person \u2013 regardless of mental and physical abilities, is \u2018wonderfully made\u2019, created in God’s image and beloved by him. They also shared a memorable moment with Joris Baron van Voorst tot Voorst, President of the Order of Malta Netherlands, host of this year\u2019s camp. The Companions of Kenya sang the praises of our Dutch counterparts, who \u201cshowed the whole Kenyan team love, dedication to serve and a truly noble spirit of humility to make this journey such an incredible, life changing and spiritual experience\u201d.<\/p>\n","news_gallery":"yes","news_gallery_elements":[{"id":1374,"url":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-30-at-14.08.18-1.jpeg"},{"id":1373,"url":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/5\/2025\/09\/WhatsApp-Image-2025-09-30-at-14.08.18-2.jpeg"}],"news_excerpt":"The Order of Malta International Summer Camp is held annually to bring together young people with diverse physical and mental (dis)abilities for a week of cultural exchange, joy, spiritual growth, and friendships that last a lifetime."},"news_categories":[{"id":14,"name":"News","slug":"news","description":"","link":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/news-categories\/news\/"}],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/1372","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/news"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/notizie\/1372\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/kenyaembassy.orderofmalta.int\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1372"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}