Joel Kimani of Thika, Kenya joined the Giachuki Trust Group in January 2009 after he heard the Chairman of the group talk about the savings and loan association in a church service. After saving for a period of six months, Joel qualified to borrow from the group. His first loan of about $134 was used for cabbage farming on his half-acre piece of land.
The cabbages bring in about $1,067 every season and Joel, pictured here with his wife, cleared the first loan within a period of three months. He eventually borrowed $267 more to grow a special breed of tomatoes.
Joel's expertise and love of farming has given him a competitive edge over other farmers in the area. He recalls vividly that when he started growing tomatoes, most of the farmers followed suit but then gave up after the first crop failed to bear fruit. Joel did some research and discovered a breed that would grow well in the area -- and his extra effort paid off.
He has furnished his house using the proceeds from farming and has also expanded his business to include poultry.
Joel now has over 300 birds and is the newly-elected Chairman of Giachuki Trust Group. Joel said the group has enabled him to experience God's love. Among the plans he has for the group is to invest in the dreams of the poor so that they may be released from physical and spiritual poverty.
Thika Community Development Trust (TCDT) is located in the rural Central Highlands, north of Nairobi. Its community-based programs, which were created in 2004 by the Anglican Diocese of Thika, aim to provide an environment where people can enjoy God's abundance and lead a dignified life.
The town of Thika is a microcosm of what has occurred across this East African country. Thika has experienced a dramatic increase in population during the past 10 years, which has resulted in more families living in the streets, a higher incidence of HIV/AIDS and heightened insecurity.
In 2011-2012, Five Talents is raising $155,000 in order to continue funding this innovative savings and credit program. Please prayerfully consider a gift today.
