Empowering Resource Poor Women Through Micro-loan.

Since our last report, economic difficulties and the impact of climate change have seriously affected our beneficiaries ability to repay their loans. Low business activities as a result of the impact of the 2017 election, insecurity challenges and droughts had affected milk production, agriculture and trade in livestock. The project had to effect changes in the repayment schedule to make it easier for the beneficiaries. Also, the planned September disbursement to new women was postponed to reduce the risk of the loans being used for consumption rather than investment. Although the economy is turned a corner at a macro-level, remote region like Mandera still having difficulties, however, there is hope at the end of the tunnel, and hopefully, the next disbursement will take place in February.

Also, the current beneficiaries are doing their best to catch up with their repayment and also making the most of their Income to improve their families economic condition. One such family is Jamila’s.

Jamila, a resident of Elwak Bula Wajir, is a member of the Bula Wajir InshAallahu group. Jamila and her family were displaced from Wajir by clan conflicts in 2013. The conflict not only uprooted them from their homes but also destroyed their assets. While in Wajir, they owned a grocery store and also practised small scale farming. They arrived in Elwak to seek protection and restart their lives from scratch including setting up a temporary house, economic activities and education for their children. Re-establishing themselves has not been easy for them and the rest of IDPs.

Therefore being selected for this programme was a relief for Jamila and her family. She received the initial loan of Ksh.15,000 to set up a small- scale grocery store. During the first year, she saved an average of about Ksh 6000 per month and repaid the loan in one year. She was selected again to benefit from another loan which she is repaying at an agreed rate. Jamila has now an estimated capital of about Ksh 40,000 which with further support she can use to expand her business. When asked what her goal is she responded: “ I would like to establish a vehicle repair garage for my sons who are now qualified mechanics and also support my daughters to continue with education”.

GENCAD microfinance women empowerment project helped Jamila to build her confidence and proved her as a woman entrepreneur. Her success story is an example for other women in rural self-help group that they too can do well with the right support. Thank all our donors and supporters for the investment in women like Jamila so that they can support their families and hopefully graduate from poverty. Jamila is looking forward to receiving more help from GENCAD and other well-wishers.

Thank you and may God bless you.