BOHAPO is a Non-Profit Organization. We are based in Wamunyiri, Kabula village, in the district of BUNGOMA, western province of Kenya (450 km. from the capital city Nairobi).It was founded in 2004 by Mr. and Ms. Edwin Wamuya Walela to serve marginalized rural areas in Western Kenya. We hope to have an impact on areas not often helped by international aid. Currently, BOHAPO is not sponsored by any organization or agency. All projects and programs have been implemented and financed by its founders Mr. and Ms. Wamuya Walela and also by volunteer members. Our international coordination and fundraising is done by Ivan who is based in Ireland. Our team is composed of 8 committee members. Volunteers come from our community and abroad. The number of orphans is increasing in our community due to the high death rate caused by HIV/AIDS. As a consequence, many poor families must take care of their relative's kids (when the father/mother or both parents die). Whereas they are not able to face their own basic need in food. Our government statistics show that an average of 700 people die daily and 2 millions are infected by HIV/AIDS. As we focused on HIV/ AIDS we came to learn that the increase of infected people is due to negligence, insecurity, poverty, ignorance and cultural practices.   CULTURE Certain practices like polygamy, traditional circumcision (where one knife is used to circumcise many boys) or wife inheritance are affecting and increasing the spread of HIV/AIDS within the community. We don't fight culture, but we try to make people aware of the risks of getting AIDS by practicing the community's traditions.   IGNORANCE CAUSING INSECURITY Some people believe that HIV/AIDS is not there but it is witchcraft. The lack of knowledge makes people believe, for example, that an infected person should have intercourse with many people in order to reduce the amount of viruses in his/her body. Other believes (as having sex with virgin girls can cure HIV/AIDS) are causing many rapes cases of young girls. In 2004, two boys had their penis chopped off, as people believed that soup made from them, would cure HIV/AIDS. BOHAPO founder was among those involved in organizing reconstructive surgery in Spain, which was successful. POVERTY Due to the absence of steady incomes experienced by the majority of the community, some of its members opt for anything to get money or food. This has increased commercial sex workers infected by HIV due to unprotected sex practices.   We cannot support all the orphans and the needy, but we assist as many people as we can. JAED HOMESTAYS AND ECO-TOURISM is registered with the government of Kenya registration number 486922.It's base is at Wamunyiri village ,Kabula Location in Bungoma district about 450 kilometers from Nairobi the capital city of Kenya. It was established in 2005 by Mr. and Mrs. Edwin Wamuya Walela to boost eco-tourism in Kenya and also help the under privileged communities that are marginalized by reducing poverty. When in Africa many visitors and tourists prefer staying in private homes where they experience freedom of movement and good security.Homestays in Africa are becoming common in tourism for it's unique opportunity to stay with the owners of the private homes in the rural set up located in places with attractive scenery. Many tourists are moving away from the hotel and lodge accommodation which has been in practice for many years and turning to rural home stays located within near the explored and unexplored tourist attractions and sites.   OUR MISSION: - To provide a good atmosphere and quality service of eco-tourism in Kenya   OUR VISION: - To be the leading eco-tourism centre in Africa that provides cultural activities and home stays.   Wamunyiri village the location of JAED home stays and eco-tourism comprises of two sub-tribes which are the Bukusu and the Wanga.The village is at the boarder of the two tribes thus the result of the two sub-tribes.   The language commonly spoken is the Kiswahili and the Bukusu with little English. The main activities within the community include: - farming, weaving and carving. Through the above activities the community produces milk, eggs, meat, honey, mutton, pork, sugarcane, woven, trays, chicken, baskets, mats e.t.c. The main cash crop in the community is sugarcane.   The economical status of the community is low due to high percentage of illiteracy, unexposure and unemployment but different talents have been discovered which can help eradicate poverty with little support. JAED home stays welcomes visitors who are planning to study, volunteer, research or travel to Africa and experience the places. The trip is adventurous and most tourists who have come from a range of different backgrounds from all over the world have learnt a lot from the community since they stay with a local family and have a day to day life experience in a rural setting. From these interactions with the locals of the home stay, the tourists are able to learn the local's culture thus the tourist having a clear taste of the Bukusu culture found in Wamunyiri. The trip can be booked at any time to suit your requirements.   We are in close links with BOHAPO, various schools and community groups in the local village and have founded many community projects such as a local library and sports that you can be involved in. The projects are according to the needs of the community. While on the trip this will provide a source of employment to the locals. Visitors are required to apply their skills in any field of profession and if with any specific objective then communicate in advance for proper arrangements. You will not only give a huge amount to the local community but you will also learn a lot and take a lot away by having an opportunity to see a unique and amazing way of life free from the technology and rush of western society. There is even the ability to see the historical housing of the area in a specially created village traditional museum of various artifacts of the luhya especially the Bukusu on the JAED HOMESTAY compound. In it are traditional tools used by traditional African Luhya societies that date back 100 years.   We want you to enjoy and treasure your time spent with us so please feel free to mix your roles allowing plenty of time to relax the Kenyan style! The staff who are from the community are dedicated to making your experience memorable. During the stay, the visitors can opt to cook by themselves or use services of our chefs to prepare their meals. They will also have an opportunity to taste different Bukusu meals prepared "the right way" by the old men and women with experience. Laundry, house cleaning and keeping is done by the dedicated JAED home stay's staff.   Although we are a profit making company much effort have been made to ensure:-   · There is reduction of poverty in the area by providing local employment through employing local tours guides, cooks, gardeners, cleaners, office workers and car hire from within the community. · We do research for the community on how to earn more from their farms through starting projects that require a small amount of land but bring more in a family like bee keeping and poultry farming. · We encourage the community to conserve the environment by planting indigenous trees and discouraging use of plastic bags which are harmful to the environment and therefore using re-cycled paper to produce paper bags and paper gift packs. · We market the community's culture and preserving it by having a local traditional museum and welcoming our visitors to attend traditional festivals. · We also donate to nonprofit organizations found within the community and which are in link like BOHAPO such as Kabula Youth Foundation ,Kabula youth initiative etc. We are also planning on starting a digital village to help the community access information technology.