The Livelihood Project

The Livelihood Project, launched by AFAWI, aims to empower women by providing them with the financial resources and support needed to improve their livelihoods. The project focuses on providing small loans to women entrepreneurs in underserved communities, enabling them to invest in income-generating activities and improve their economic stability.

Activity Summary:

After a successful meeting with the new group in Afienya, the project team conducted a comprehensive needs assessment to better understand the specific requirements and aspirations of the women in the community. This assessment allowed us to tailor our support to the individual needs of each participant, ensuring that the loans provided would have the greatest impact.

On 29.10.2024, the project team traveled to Afienya to officially distribute loans to 9 women as part of the Livelihood Project. The loans will help these women start or expand their small businesses, providing them with the resources to generate sustainable income and support their families.

Key Activities:

1. Meeting with the New Group in Afienya:

   • We met with the newly formed group of women to introduce the Livelihood Project, explain the objectives, and clarify the loan process.
   • The women expressed their interest in the project and shared their specific business ideas and goals.

2. Needs Assessment:

   • During the meeting, we conducted a needs assessment to understand the economic challenges faced by the women and the types of businesses they are involved in or wish to start. This helped ensure that the loan distribution would meet the immediate and long-term needs of the participants.
   • Key findings from the assessment revealed that the women were interested in businesses related to farming, food processing, retail, and tailoring.

3. Loan Distribution:

   • On the agreed-upon date, we returned to Afienya to distribute loans to 9 women. These loans will allow them to purchase equipment, stock, or raw materials needed to start or expand their businesses.
   • Each woman received an amount tailored to her specific business needs, and they were briefed on the repayment terms and expected outcomes of the project.

4. Support and Follow-Up:

   • We emphasized the importance of using the loan funds wisely and committed to providing ongoing support to the women throughout the loan repayment period.
   • The project team will follow up regularly to monitor progress, offer guidance, and address any challenges the women may encounter.

Outcomes and Impact:

• Increased Financial Empowerment: The distribution of loans provides the women with the opportunity to improve their financial independence and secure a better future for themselves and their families.
• Business Growth: The loans will enable the women to invest in businesses that have the potential to generate sustainable income, helping to lift them out of poverty and build economic resilience.
• Capacity Building: Through the needs assessment and ongoing support, the women will also receive valuable skills and knowledge that will help them grow and manage their businesses more effectively.

Next Steps:

• Follow-Up and Monitoring: We will continue to monitor the progress of each woman, providing mentorship and assistance as needed to ensure the success of their businesses.
• Loan Repayment and Evaluation: As loan repayments begin, we will assess the overall impact of the project and consider scaling it to support more women in Afienya and surrounding communities.
• Training and Capacity Building: We plan to offer additional training sessions on financial literacy, business management, and other relevant skills to help the women succeed in the long term.

Conclusion:

The Livelihood Project in Afienya is off to a strong start, with 9 women receiving the financial support they need to improve their businesses and, ultimately, their quality of life. This initiative is a significant step towards empowering women economically and creating sustainable livelihoods in the community. With continued support and monitoring, we are confident that this project will have a lasting impact on the participants and contribute to the broader development goals of the region.

Thank you to our partners, donors, and supporters for making this project possible.