Profile information
Host rating
80 %
Last replied
15 Apr 2024
Reply rate
75.0 %
Usually responds within 3 days
Feedback
10
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Details
Description
My name is Boniface. I was born and brought up within kakamega forest ecosystem, which is the only equatorial rain forest remaining in kenya-East Africa. The forest was once a one continuous stretch from Congo along the equator but now receding to the east due to human activities (with huge bias towards tree felling) and settlement. The forest is a rich biodiversity
My spouse, Laura is currently working on Reusable Sanitary Towels for school girls living within kakamega forest ecosystem.The living conditions within this forest ecosystem are far from Western modernity ! Some families do not have electricity or running water. Several difficulties arise in daily life. Among them, that of menstrual poverty.
Indeed, many young girls have difficulty during their periods. Not all of their families can afford disposable protection. They manage differently, local habits are variable, often a source of discomfort. School absenteeism is high, many teenage girls miss one week of class per month, unable to ensure their menstrual hygiene with dignity during their long school days.
For the project, boniface works on a project to conserve the endemic rich antioxidant plant called Mondya whytei, Mukombela. The Mukombela is a climber plant only endemic to kakamega forest in the wild hence on the brink of extinction. The plant has been researched upon and found to be a great antioxidant hence blood thinning with vast essential mineral deposits. The roots of this erstwhile plant are chewed in its raw form by the locals to get its mouth refreshing breath that is absolutely recommended locally to convalescents and infants as an appetizer...
Plans are underway to do nursery of Mondia wytei - mukombela - and have the same domesticated on private properties of farmers within the forest adjacent community on an on-farm agroforestry arrangement. Since Mondia wytei is a climber, it shall inevitably require a host plant for support. here, i recommend such potential farmers to plant fast maturing trees such as caliandra and or sesbania sesban which can also be harvested later on for wood fuel - this shall ultimately reduce the current pressure on the shrinking forest of kakamega. our family property sits on a 2-acre plot with about 10% of it reserved for residential; it is supplied with electricity with a functional & protected shallow well that has served my family since year 2002.
My country Kenya has instructed all government ministries to incorporate the 17 sustainable development goals in their planning. According to Filho et al The Kenya National Bureau of Statistics, KNBS 2014 documented that half of her population still lives below national average of less than USD 1.25 (10). I have therefore initiated a project about the diabetic-free stevia as a sweetener to be planted by the local community. The harvested stevia leaves should then be fortified with the nutri-rich mondia whytei, a blend of which shall be consumed as a value-added product by all. The stevia – mondia whytei project shall hereby touch on people’s healthy nutrition, entrepreneurship as well as environmental conservation which are directly addressing the UN’s SDGs: 1. No poverty; 2. Zero hunger; 3. Good health and well being; 9. Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure and 13. Climate Action. Leshore et al further elucidates how the global SDGs have been rolled into a vision 2030 blue print by the Kenyan government which is anchored on political; Social and economic pillars (2).
In 2020 i successfully signed a memorandum of Understanding with a local public University, The Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, MMUST, about mutual development of innovative ideas emanating from the local community. It is upon this Memorandum of Understanding that my stevia – mondia whytei considered was considered innovative hence its need for incubation. Volunteers with passion in such matters as forest-domesticated plants towards sustainable human consumption, Steviol glycosides and value addition are hereby freely invited for mutual collaboration
During my free time i do Academic writhing Job where i write Reports; Project proposals; Term papers; Thesis with expertise in APA & MLA Format
Types of help and learning opportunities
Charity Work
Art Projects
Language practice
Help with Eco Projects
Teaching
Gardening
DIY and building projects
Farmstay help
Creating/ Cooking family meals
Hospitality/Tourism
General Maintenance
Help with Computers/ Internet
UN sustainability goals this host is trying to achieve
Cultural exchange and learning opportunities
1. They shall live with an African family and learn for free how life is from this part of the world;
2. Free guided walks within western kenya region viewing the varied flora and fauna that is free for public access!
3. A guide into The kakamega forest, the only remnant Tropical rain forest with over 84 streams and rivers that pours into the world's largest fresh-water lake, The Lake Victoria
Projects involving children
This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.
Help
We seek to get help in the following areas:
1. Cutting of fabrics and sewing using sewing machines the cut pieces into reusable sanitary towels for school going girl child from kakamega forest community
2. Establishment of a demo Community Bio-digester for:
The conversion of organic waste, such as food scraps, kitchen waste, and even animal manure, into biogas and nutrient-rich organic fertilizer through a natural biological process called anaerobic digestion. Biodigesters can be a valuable tool for households to manage waste, generate renewable energy, and promote sustainable agriculture. Here's how the proposed biodigester(s) should work and their benefits:
1. **Collection of Organic Waste**: Organic waste, such as kitchen scraps, vegetable peels, and animal manure, should be collected and introduced into the biodigester.
2. **Anaerobic Digestion**: The biodigester should create an oxygen-free environment where microorganisms break down the organic material in the absence of air. This process should produce biogas, which primarily consists of methane and carbon dioxide.
3. **Biogas Generation**: The biogas produced during anaerobic digestion to be collected and used as a clean and renewable source of energy for cooking, heating, and lighting.
4. **Digestate**: The residue left after the digestion process - called digestate - should be rich in nutrients that can be used as an organic fertilizer to improve soil fertility.
**Benefits of Household Biodigesters:**
1. **Waste Reduction**: The Biodigesters shall help reduce organic waste going to landfills or open dumping sites, contributing to waste management and reducing the environmental impact of waste disposal in our kakamega forest ecosystem
2. **Biogas Energy**: The biogas produced shall eventually replace traditional fossil fuels for cooking and heating, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and indoor air pollution.
3. **Renewable Energy**: The Biodigesters shall provide a consistent source of renewable energy, especially in areas where access to electricity is limited.
4. **Fertilizer Production**: The nutrient-rich digestate shall be used as organic fertilizer, enhancing soil quality and promoting sustainable agriculture.
5. **Climate Change Mitigation**: By capturing methane, a potent greenhouse gas, the biodigesters shall help mitigate climate change by preventing its release into the atmosphere.
6. **Local Resource Utilization**: The Biodigesters shall allow households to harness local resources, such as kitchen waste and animal manure, for beneficial purposes.
7. **Improved Hygiene**: Proper disposal of organic waste through biodigesters shall improve hygiene and sanitation, reducing the risk of diseases spread by waste.
8. **Community Empowerment**: the Biodigesters shall empower the community within our forest ecosystem to become more self-reliant in terms of energy and waste management.
9. **Sustainable Development**: The Biodigesters project shall align with goals of sustainable development by addressing waste management, energy access, and agricultural needs.
It's important to note that the design, size, and operation of the biodigesters shall vary based on factors such as household size, waste composition, climate, and available resources. Workawayers with technical expertise are highly invited to help with design, source for required materials and finally implementing such biodigester system.
The African culture has always reserved the family-meals preparation & cooking roles to the women which every girl child automatically slides into. Much time is hereby wasted through collection of firewood at the expense of school education hours.
If implemented, Bio-digester project shall hereby help address time wasted for our community's women folk as well as girl child for the sustainable energy generation as well as the eventual kitchen gardens that shall arise from such project
3. Help school-going children with learning of a foreign language (FRENCH)
4. With implementation of other eco-friendly innovative project ideas
Languages
Languages spoken
English: Fluent
Swahili (Kiswahili): FluentThis host offers a language exchange
This host has indicated that they are interested in sharing their own language or learning a new language.
You can contact them directly for more information.
Accommodation
1 single bed per person, including linens; Tin-roofed single bed-room house; steel door; free area to pitch sleeping tents if available; an option also available for a brick-walled house, some self contained house or with external restrooms
What else ...
1. They shall live with an African family and learn for free during their free hours how life is in this part of the world;
2. free guided walks within Kakamega Town
3. Visit and see The Crying Stone of Kakamega via the affordable and safe motorcycle public transport (other forms of affordable public transport available include: Tuktuk-a three wheel-van; matatu public service vehicles and privately hired Taxi
4. A chance to participate in badminton or the newly introduced chess games at the communityschools and villagepolytechnics...
A little more information
Internet access
Limited internet access
We have pets
We are smokers
Can host families
Space for parking camper vans
This host can provide space for campervans.
How many Workawayers can stay?
More than two
Hours expected
Maximum 4-5 hours a day, 5 days a week
Feedback (5)
During her stay with my family, I have the pleasure of saying the following:
Elise is lively to have around a host's family, she is very quick to adapt to a new environment at short notice irrespective of cultural… read more
During this period i have experienced an individual who shows up earlier than asked, works hard, and carries himself in a polite, respectable manner.
In the 7-day period he was able to Teach French to more than 10 children, some as… read more
Feedback
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Accuracy of profile:
(5.0)
Cultural exchange:
(5.0)
Communication:
(5.0)
During her stay with my family, I have the pleasure of saying the following:
Elise is lively to have around a host's family, she is very quick to adapt to a new environment at short notice irrespective of cultural… read more
During this period i have experienced an individual who shows up earlier than asked, works hard, and carries himself in a polite, respectable manner.
In the 7-day period he was able to Teach French to more than 10 children, some as… read more
Through him i could visit the Kakamega Forest easily and learn about this special ecosystem.
He has good ideas about permaculture and he has a good small farm.
Thank you, see you in future.
