January 2008
SHARE YOUR STORY
We ask Kiwanians to share their story. So for January 2008, I want to share a story from my recent trip to Kenya, Africa. I witnessed many wonderful things Kiwanians were doing in Kenya. One of the most unique projects was the Kiwanis Club of Kisumu, Kenya’s microfinance project. This project is designed to help single women become self-sufficient in their own businesses. The club started out by identifying about 10 families to help. The families were required to attend business training sessions. They learned business accounting and met weekly with Kiwanis supervisors to monitor their progress and share ideas.
Kiwanis gave them a grant of 10,000 shillings (about US$140.00). After one year, the recipients could apply for a loan of 10,000 more shillings. They are expected to pay a small amount back each month. I had an opportunity to visit most of the business sites and talk to the recipients.
According to their on-going evaluations, several of the businesses improved and are doing well. A couple of the ladies got sick from HIV and their businesses suffered when they were unable to work. Several of the women died. The club is now accepting applications for their next ten families. They did learn some valuable lessons and will screen for health more closely.
One lady I visited was in the corn business. She could not walk. She depended on her son to push her to her stand each day in her wheelchair. She had no cover over her head and sat in a hot, hot sun all day trying to eke out a living for her family. Without Kiwanis help, she would have no means to feed her family.
This program is very touching and compelling. These Kiwanians are reaching out, not just to give a one-time handout, but give a life-changing hand.
I was inspired by this woman’s courage and the compassion of the Kiwanians who developed this program. It made me proud to be a Kiwanian.
Sylvester