Volunteering… Giving back but getting more!
- Susan Flamm
- Apr 7
- 5 min read
Hi everyone,
As many of you know, we LOVE the Bahamas, and specifically the island of Eleuthera.
Back in Cincinnati we are big supporters of Santa Maria Community Services where the internal motto is “Providing a Hand-Up, not a Handout” by helping Greater Price Hill families to attain their educational, financial, and health goals.
It’s a long story, but on Eleuthera, a few years ago, we came to learn about The One Eleuthera Foundation CTI. They have a similar mission to help locals on the island advance their own skills for employment opportunities, but in the process improve the overall economy.
Part of that mission is to bring farming back to Eleuthera. Currently 90% of the food consumed on the island is imported from the United States.
During this year’s trip to Eleuthera we spent two days staying at The Retreat Hotel & Conference Center and working in the greenhouse alongside the local students and farmers. The food that is grown on the farm is sold to locals, local restaurants, and is also used on the CTI property at the student run restaurant “The Farmers Table”. It felt great to not only be part of the broader mission, but we got to meet and get to know some truly amazing people! We look forward to returning again next year.
As you are planning your summer vacations to that fun new destination, or returning to one you’ve visited for many years, consider volunteering at a local charity… You may just be amazed at how much more it feels like you got back than you gave of yourself.
-Tom & Barb Martin
The One Eleuthera Foundation: Creating Sustainable Change in The Bahamas
Since its founding in 2012, One Eleuthera Foundation (OEF) emerged with a powerful purpose: to protect the pristine island of Eleuthera from large-scale developments that threatened its natural landscape and fragile ecosystems, while simultaneously standing as a remarkable example of community-driven sustainable development in The Bahamas. Established with a vision to preserve and enhance Eleuthera's unique culture and environment, this non-profit organization has become a powerful force for positive change on the island, working to disrupt cycles of overdependency on foreign direct investment.
What is the One Eleuthera Foundation?
The One Eleuthera Foundation is a registered non-profit organization based in Eleuthera, one of the beautiful Islands of The Bahamas. Founded with the mission of transforming Eleuthera through holistic, sustainable development, OEF works to enhance the quality of life for residents while preserving the island's natural beauty and cultural heritage.
The foundation operates on a model that emphasizes local ownership and participation, ensuring that Eleuthera's development remains in the hands of those who call it home. Their approach tackles economic, environmental, and social challenges simultaneously, creating solutions that benefit both residents and the island itself.
What Does One Eleuthera Do?
The One Eleuthera Foundation focuses on several key areas:
Sustainable Development
OEF prioritizes projects that build economic resilience while protecting Eleuthera's natural resources. Their initiatives promote responsible tourism, sustainable agriculture, and renewable energy as pathways to prosperity that don't compromise the island's ecological integrity.
Health and Wellness
The foundation has made significant investments in healthcare access across Eleuthera. Their programs address both immediate healthcare needs and preventative care, working to improve overall community health outcomes.
Education and Training
OEF provides educational opportunities and vocational training for Eleutherans of all ages. Their programs help build local capacity and prepare residents for meaningful employment in sustainable industries.
Heritage Preservation
Recognizing the importance of Eleuthera's unique cultural identity, the foundation works to document and preserve local traditions, arts, and historical sites that tell the story of this special place.
Community Empowerment
At its core, OEF believes in empowering Eleutherans to shape their own future. The foundation provides resources, technical assistance, and platforms for community members to participate in decision-making processes that affect their island.
The Foundation's Facilities & Partnerships
The One Eleuthera Foundation has developed several impressive facilities that serve as hubs for their various programs:
CTI (Centre for Training and Innovation)
The CTI campus represents the foundation's commitment to education and workforce development. This facility offers vocational training in areas like hospitality, farming, and construction. The campus includes:
Training kitchens and classrooms
Sustainable farming demonstration areas
Workshop spaces for hands-on technical training
Oasis Grow House
Oasis Grow House is an innovative one-acre facility featuring retractable greenhouse technology that enhances crop production, enables continuous year-round harvesting, and shields valuable plants from severe weather events including hurricanes.
Farmers Market
The Farmers Market is a newly constructed open-air facility where the community is invited to buy fresh from the farm and sell their own locally grown produce, bottled goods and specialty crafts. This project also promotes their newly expanded farm-to-table community health and nutrition education initiatives.
The Retreat Hotel & Conference Center
This social enterprise combines hospitality training with actual hotel operations. The Retreat provides visitors with an authentic Bahamian experience while creating jobs and developing hospitality skills among local residents. The facility includes:
Comfortable guest accommodations
Meeting and conference spaces
Farm-to-table dining featuring locally grown produce
South Eleuthera Mission
This historic property has been transformed into a multi-purpose facility that houses foundation offices, community spaces, and accommodation for visitors. The beautiful grounds showcase sustainable landscaping practices and serve as a gathering place for community events.
Eleuthera Arts and Cultural Center
This facility celebrates and preserves Eleuthera's rich cultural heritage through exhibitions, performances, and educational programs. The center provides space for local artists and craftspeople to share their work with both residents and visitors.
The Studio for Affordable & Sustainable Housing
A pioneering collaboration between local and international universities, industry experts, and community partners focused on developing an innovative housing prototype. This initiative aims to create resilient, energy-efficient homes that are financially accessible to economically disadvantaged communities, providing both quality construction at reduced costs and pathways to financial stability through homeownership.
Strengthening of South Eleuthera Emergency Partners (SEEP)
OEF’s core partner SEEP is the agency responsible for local disaster management, emergency transport, on-island fire and first response services. They have developed immediate plans to:
Expand our community service offerings
Upgrade essential equipment
Enhance volunteer cross-training initiatives
The One Eleuthera Foundation represents a powerful model for sustainable island development. By focusing on local needs, building community capacity, and balancing economic growth with environmental stewardship, OEF demonstrates how thoughtful, community-driven initiatives can create lasting positive change. Their work not only improves life on Eleuthera today but helps ensure that future generations will inherit an island that remains both economically vibrant and ecologically healthy.
For those interested in supporting their work or experiencing Eleuthera through the lens of sustainable tourism, the One Eleuthera Foundation welcomes visitors and volunteers to join in their mission of building a better Bahamas, one community at a time.
