Challenge, Teach, Inspire

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The Outdoor Leadership Institutes (OLI) goal is to become a significant influencer for good in the communities and with the people with whom we work. Today’s world has an endless number of compelling social issues, so without a concentrated effort, our impact, and what we want to accomplish in our communities will be hard to achieve. We like a challenge and look forward to building this into the organization we envision. 

Like any new organization, we have a long way to go from where we are starting to where we want to be. In the first couple of years, our focus will be to share our love of Panama and South Africa with you and take guests on trips that they can’t get from any other travel company. To do that, we recognize the need for committed and able partners and staff, locally and abroad. The team that we are putting together will help us carry out our work effectively and sustainably and understands the needs and history of these places or whose specialized and technical expertise would help make our projects and trips world-class.

From a social impact perspective, we see OLI as a vehicle through which we can fund and partner with projects or organizations that share our vision. In our projects that we support, we will use a three-pronged strategy that combines partnership with our backgrounds in entrepreneurship and tourism to help projects reach their goals in a fiscally responsible and timely way. We will be adopting best practices for project management, reporting, and evaluation, as well as guidelines for financial accountability to further facilitate the success of each project and a positive impact on the stakeholders.

Our ultimate goal is to become an organization that helps young people foster creative, critical, and divergent thinking through a challenging outdoor program that will give them confidence, determination, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime. I have seen first-hand how these adventures changed my kids. By conquering fears and pushing their limits, they are stronger and more confident young people. They want and take responsibility for what they do. That will serve them well when they are adults and on their own. We will be working over the coming year to achieve that goal by developing our programs and methodology and our ability to fund this mission. 

Our original idea of sharing these magnificent places with young people has developed into a deep conviction to contribute not only our assets and or experience but also our spirit of philanthropy. We know through a challenging outdoor program they will gain confidence, determination, and leadership skills that will last a lifetime.

We hope you share in this vision and welcome you to join us on an OLI Expedition.

Rhett Power 

Hennie Marais