The number of women’s groups in NRT conservancies is growing rapidly. In 2011, there were 80 groups established across 6 community conservancies – there are now around 2,225 women in 135 groups in 12 conservancies. NRT provides the women in these groups with training in craft-making, product development, basic accounting and leadership skills. Once they have undergone the basic training, women are then eligible to apply for a loan through the microcredit scheme. This allows them to take out small loans to develop businesses, and pay it back (after a two month grace period) over twelve months at 5% interest. Many of the women in the scheme have set up craft-making enterprises, established small shops (or ‘duka’s’) or started tailoring businesses. The microcredit programme was established with support from ICEP, Safaricom, USAID, Zoos Victoria in Australia and others, and is worth 2 million Kenyan shillings (US$23,500). So far none of the women’s groups have defaulted; all have paid back their loans on time. Some women have also taken the opportunity to open bank accounts with Equity Bank, to help them save and acquire better financial security.
Here are the stories of some of the women in the programme:
This is Scolastica from Melako Community Conservancy. She is 33 years old with 7 lively children to support. Scolastica started her tailoring business from her savings, with income from her salary. In December 2008 she took out a loan of 5,000 ksh (USD 58) which she repaid promptly. In 2013 she took out a bigger loan of 10,000 ksh (USD 116) which allowed her to set up a premises for her business and buy two more sewing machines to increase her trade. This has also enabled her to train other interested community members, bringing additional income. She now also sells beaded products and livestock.
Capital: 8,000 ksh (USD 93)
Profit per month: 2,000 – 4,000 ksh (USD 23 – 46)
Savings per month: 2,000 – 4,000 ksh (USD 23 – 46)
This is Serpeno, also from Melako Conservancy, who has 6 children. She began her enterprise journey with just 800 ksh (USD 9) and a few livestock. With a 10,000 ksh (USD 116) loan she opened butchery in Wamba town, and grew her savings to 30,000 ksh (USD 350) which allowed her to build a small house for her family. Repaying her initial loan on time allowed her to take out another 10,000 ksh loan to expand her enterprises; she opened a retail shop, sold beaded jewellery and traded Arabica gum.
Capital: 6,000 ksh (USD 70)
Profit per month: 10,000 ksh (USD 116)
Savings per month: 1,500 ksh (USD 23 – 46)
And the enterprise ideas don’t just involve beads and retail. Another woman from Kalama Conservancy, Noong’uta Lemarle, took out a 10,000 Kenyan shillings (US$116) loan to buy a solar panel. She now charges people in her village a small fee to charge their mobile phones using her panel.