Credit for Collection of 31,000 ltrs of Used Oil.

Kara Wevers is a student who traveled throughout Africa and visited a number of GlobalGiving projects. On March 16th she visited "Credit for Collection of 31,000 ltrs of Used Oil." When asked what she would tell her friends about this project, she said: "Incredible: You need to see this!"

I recently had the opportunity to visit Collins Apuoyo and his team at EPS Program in Nairobi. Within minutes, I was thoroughly impressed with their innovative approach toward environmental conservation, poverty reduction, and micro-lending. We spent time in their office, and we also went around town visiting the mechanics that they work with, as well as their used oil collection center.

The mechanics had nothing but praise for the EPS Program. Again and again these men spoke about the impact that Collins and his team were having on their businesses, giving them additional income, environmental training, and access to micro-loans that they otherwise never would have had. According to one mechanic, "Nobody else is doing this. Nobody else is helping us.”

Some of these men – many whose livelihoods are based on haphazard shops set up illegally on the sides of the streets – had recently seen their roadside businesses demolished by government bulldozers. EPS Program is hoping to help them generate enough income and saving s so that they can rent or buy land for permanent shops. Hats off to EPS Program for investing in a community that has otherwise been forgotten!