Awach sare Community Organisation for Health Initiative

ACBOHI programme is a non-partisan, non-religious organization. It operates under the structure and systems defined by the Members. Awach Sare Community Based Organisation for Health Initiatives (ACBOHI) is a youth initiative formed by young people of Rachuonyo North District in 2008. ACBOHI project started as health rehabilitation CBO after the post election clashes that characterized Kenya in 2008. The organization involved itself in counseling of returnees who were evicted from other regions of Kenya and helped them settle down. It was registered with the Ministry of Gender, Children and Social Services as a community based organization (CBO). Registration number is 553/2010.

After working with the affected in the community for a short time the demand for development initiatives spread beyond the initial catchment area. The organisation has since then increased its development initiatives to cover food security, environmental rehabilitation, HIV/AIDS, water and sanitation, gender equity, and disaster mitigation

ACBOHI empowers youth and children in difficult circumstances to identify their needs and participate in the process of addressing these needs in order to enhance their livelihoods and well being.

To escape the hunger, poverty and deprivation, many youths turn to alcoholism or idleness that lead to criminal activities. ACBOHI reaches out to these youths with a view of taking them away from all these problems and endeavours to give them a direction by harnessing their ambitions in life through counseling, skill training, HIV and AIDS awareness and other support and empowerment geared towards independent life.

It provides beneficiaries with an outlet for their enthusiasm for positive life and for therapeutic activities and other opportunities despite adversity. Many children and youth of this nature have been helped to re-join school at primary and secondary school. There is a challenge now on how to help them join colleges for vocational skill acquisition and development.

Vision:

ACBOHI envisions a community managing a Sustainable Development and Enhanced Healthy Livelihoods through proper utilization of available resources.

Mission:

ACBOHI is committed to be a leading facilitator in addressing health security through capacity building and delivery for sustainable development.

Values:

ACBOHI is guided by the following values:-

1. Partnership: The Organization considers beneficiaries as partners and it will actively cooperate in every practical way with other like-minded organizations locally, nationally and internationally for sustainable livelihood and development.
2. Participation: Participation and involvement of members and members of the community in the catchment areas is considered as the core aspect in achieving sustainable community-owned development.
3. Integrity and Accountability: ACBOHI believes in honesty, the upholding of ethical and high moral standards being transparent and accountable to beneficiaries, partners and donors.

PRACTICES

• Creative approach towards sustainable dry land farming
• Collaboration with related Ministries
• Involving schools in tree planting and HIV/AIDS educational activities
• Increased youth and women involvement in reproductive health and maternal care interventions
• Improving the nutritional status of HIV/AIDS affected individuals by promoting the consumption of indigenous food products with high nutritious levels
• Facilitating access to clean and safe drinking water for the rural household

Process of rural /community change adopted

1. Capacity building
2. Strengthening partnerships and collaborations
3. Facilitating sharing of best practices, skills and innovation
4. Promoting exchange programme learning
5. Sourcing of information and innovations
6. Information dissemination
7. Behaviour/attitude change

LOCATION OF OFFICE

The Organization is based in Kendu bay and its area of operation shall be Karachuonyo East Division with post office being P.O. BOX 189 Kendu Bay. Contacts being 0726879654/0726098555

OBJECTIVES

1. a. OVERALL OBJECTIVE

To develop the potential of Orphans and Vulnerable children, youth and adults, stimulate and involve their participation and involvement in Sustainable development and health initiatives.

1. b. SPECIFIC OBJECTIVES
   1. i. To create community capacity building to realize their potential for sustainable development.
   2. ii. To identify food security, agricultural challenges in the community and find lasting solutions to those challenges.
   3. iii. To create awareness in Health concerns and promote health care.
   4. iv. To provide children, youth and adults support through education and peer training.
   5. v. To ensure improved environmental sustainability in respect to forest conservation, safe (clean) water and sanitation.
   6. vi. To mainstream health, education, children’s rights environmental, disability and HIV/ AIDS in all activities.
   7. vii. To work in partnership with relevant organizations, government ministries and departments to achieve the mission and vision of the organization.