A group of 70 vulnerable women in Meru slums, are set to redefine the socio-economic landscape of the area, thanks to Jamii Imara project launched last year. Through the project, the women are empowered economically by accessing micro-credit facilities. This has enabled the women uplift their living standards by establishing small businesses, educate their children and improving their financial skills. Below is a personal testimony by one of them.
“My name is Esther Muregi. I am a member of Maitethia Women Group. Our group joined Jamii Imara in June 2014.We are ten members in the group. All the members live and work in Makutano. We started saving 100Kshs every week with Jamii Imara. We saved for two months, then we were given a loan of 5,000Kshs each at the end of August 2014.
We continued saving and repaying our first loan. In the month of December 2014, we completed repaying the 5,000Kshs and we were each given 10,000Kshs in January 2015. In July 2015 we were each given 20,000Kshs.We decided to increase our savings from 100Kshs per week to 150Kshs per week. This is because we had all increased our stocks and we were making more sales and getting much profit.
Today, I have accumulated savings of 3,500Kshs with Jamii Imara project. My business is doing very well. With the 20,000Kshs given as loan, I was able to increase a variety of vegetables and fruits in my grocery. I am able to supply to a hotel and I have many customers because they can get all their vegetables and fruits at one place and one stop. I package their supplies free of charge.
My health and that of my family has improved a lot. I am able to pay school fees on time so my children are always in school. I now want to expand my grocery and increase my stock. I also want to create more space to move around the grocery.
