Strengthening Communities through Micro Finance

Project Humanity is seeking to strengthen communities by enabling the men and women on Rusinga Island to start their own businesses through a microfinance strategy. Microfinancing is a source of financial servicing in areas where access to traditional banking is limited or non-existent and has become a viable option for assisting to tackle poverty.

In 2014, Project Humanity entered in an agreement with Weba International for the development of a microfinance program on Rusinga Island in southwest Kenya.  Based in Nairobi, Weba International is a consulting firm that works to support local and international microfinance institutions to access needed resources and technical expertise to assist them to grow effectively and with greater impact.  A focus of Weba is to work with grassroots organizations and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in East Africa to identify small business opportunities and to provide the technical expertise and financial literacy training necessary for microfinanced businesses to succeed.

The agreement with Weba International has provided the means for Project Humanity to further meet its goal of women’s empowerment by identifying business opportunities, which can be started through small loans.  Initial funding for program was provided through a Chase Community Giving Grant that Project Humanity was awarded in 2013 and through private donations.

Weba International and Project Humanity provided training and established the first Rotating Saving and Credit Association (ROSCA) on Rusing in 2014. Performance of the ROSCA has continued through 2015 and we expect to begin establishing additional ROSCAs in 2016.

Currently 18 small businesses are benefiting from a Project Humanity-sponsored ROSCA on Rusinga Island. With your support we can help even more small businesses owners.

Profiles

Joshua Ogolla
32, married with one child.

Type of Business: Owns a small business where people can come and watch television to see sporting events and movies.   Joseph used the benefits of the ROSCA to purchase two large TV screens.  With the help of his wife, his small business attracts many young people, which also helps to keep them out of trouble.

Goals: He currently rents the space where the business is located.  Joshua would one day like to be able to own his own space.

Amount borrowed: 30,000 KSh   Amount repaid: 50%

Magdalyn Adhiambo
59, married with 3 children

Type of Business: Restaurant owner on Rusinga Island. The ROSCA has helped Magdalyn to buy restaurant supplies and also helped her pay for school fees for grandchildren.

Goals: After her grandchildren are finished with school she hopes to grow her restaurant business.

Amount borrowed: 1-15,000 KSh Amount repaid: 100%

Beatrice Akinyi
30, widow with four children

Type of Business: Owns a small market where she sells mostly dry goods. The ROSCA is enabling her to increase her inventory. However, by the time she pays off her small loan she needs to borrow again to restock her inventory.

Goals: Increase the size of her business enough to be able to have more time for herself and her family.

Amount borrowed: 1-10,000 KSh Amount repaid: 100%