Hi
My name is Kika Kahana. I am 50 years old, have been married to Ofer for 25 years, mother of two biological daughters and one foster daughter. We live in Pardess Hanna, a small town just east of Caesarea.
Throughout my childhood my parents took us to Sinai twice a year on Sukkot and Passover, for three-week camping trips, in tents by the beach. These are my most beautiful memories from my childhood. That’s where it all began.
After serving as an officer in the army, I worked as a Community Worker in the “Hanoar Haoved ve Halomed” (Youth Movement) and as a tour guide in the Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel. When I had saved enough money I left to travel the world. I climbed to Everest Base Camp and spent a great deal of time travelling around the Far East. When I returned to Israel I studied for an undergraduate degree in Archeology and a Master’s degree in Criminology, worked as a counsellor for youth with emotional problems and later as Deputy Director in a home for girls in distress in Jerusalem.
At one point Ofer’s work took us to Paris where we remained for a period of 3 years. We really enjoyed our time there and I took many opportunities to walk the length and breadth of Paris and other parts of France. After three years it was time to go home. We realized that as our parents had come from Europe to Israel just one generation previously, it seemed only right to choose to return to Israel, having enjoyed the experience of spending time in Europe.
When we returned I had planned to take up my previous work with girls in distress, but my daughter’s kindergarten teacher offered me a partnership to work with her and assist in the day to day running of her kindergarten, called “Olam Katan” (Small World). I did this for 13 years and recently retired.
I learned a great deal from my work partner who also became a close friend. I also found my time with the children extremely rewarding. Throughout these 13 years I counselled and mentored both children and their parents dealing with everyday challenges.
Throughout my working life I spent a great deal of my spare time hiking in the countryside, that’s what I love most. I’m the happiest and most fulfilled when I’m outside.
When we returned to Israel I took the opportunity to go camping with friends, and so we began organizing regular camping weeks during various holidays. It gave me a taste of what I used to love so much during my childhood.
My friends and I hike regularly in any weather. We rambled across the Golan Heights, we’ve done the famous Israel Trail, we walked from near the Mediterranean to Jerusalem and took up various other great routes. Family and friends are laughing at me that I will meet myself on the Israel National Trail because I am doing both directions simultaneously…
Having now turned this into a business, there is nothing like working at something about which you are passionate. There is a saying – “If you work at something you love, you will never have to work another day in your life”.