Kenya
Five Talents work with the Anglican Diocese of Thika in Kenya. In 2004 the Diocese of Thika created the Thika Community Development Trust (TCDT) as a registered NGO. The Trust operates a savings and credit programme that is empowering poor entrepreneurs, a majority of whom are women, to create new jobs and sustain small businesses. There are now 28 'trust groups' in and around Thika where members can save their money. Individuals can borrow from the group savings, but the amount and terms must be agreed by the group. Here you can read some of the stories from these groups.
Simon
Simon is 30 years old and married to Ruth. He is a member of ACK Muthaara Trust Group which he joined in 2008. Before joining the Trust Group, he was a small scale subsistence farmer planting beans and maize on a rented piece of land. He joined the Trust Group in 2008 and has worked and saved hard. With his first loan Simon stocked up the shop that he and his wife started. With his second loan Simon bought a motorbike - taxi. With his motorbike, Simon is able to transport people and their goods, as well as transport stock for his shop without having to hire somebody to do so. He says that the motorbike was a timely investment because it helped ease the transport problems so rife in his home area. Through his Trust Group, Simon has witnessed his dream come true and despite the competition in the transport business (many other young men have also purchased motorbikes); Simon maintains an edge over the others as he treats his customers with respect, offering a swift and reliable service to them.
Simon says that he is now able to afford better health care with the stable income that he and his wife make from the shop and the taxi business. He now envisions moving out of his rented house and owning his own piece of land where he can live with his family.
Anne
Anne is a 25 year old mother of a four year old girl called Yvonne. She is a member of ACK Muthaara Trust Group, which she joined in October 2008. Anne was previously employed as a hair stylist in a local salon, earning a small wage. Anne recalls that those were tough times as they lived in a single room and could not afford three balanced meals a day.
Anne decided to join the Trust Group in her neighbourhood in order to improve her life and that of her family. She saved hard and managed to accumulate savings and subsequently took a loan from her group. Ann quit her job and used the money as her start up capital for her own salon which she calls ‘Mama Yvonne Hair Salon”. The business is turnimng a good profit and because of the growth, Anne has been able to take on an employee. The profits from the business mean that Anne is now able to send her daughter to a private school and also to pay for part of her sister’s school fees.
Anne takes pride in the fact that she is now able to run her home comfortably and does not have to ask her husband for money. She is also in the process of re-stocking her salon with some of the profits from the business and is looking forward to employing another stylist to help her meet the demand of her growing number of clients. Anne is a living example of a lady who has reasserted control over her economic and social well-being and has achieved encouraging results.