Kenya
Kenya is a country of striking contrasts: large deserts and fertile farming areas, oceans and mountains, incredible wealth and crushing poverty. Known for its beautiful wildlife and fauna, Kenya is a world pioneer in mobile banking and a leading contributor to the East African economy with production of coffee, cut flowers, fruits, and more.
With a population of 50 million, the vast majority of Kenyans engage in small scale farming or informal business. Roughly 30 percent of the population lives on less than $1.90 per day and nearly seventy percent survive on less than $3.20 per day. Kenya is among the top ten countries in the world with the largest number of people living in extreme poverty (World Bank, 2018).
Five Talents began working in Kenya in 2004 and has since established successful programs in several regions, working through our unique local Community Trust model. We partner with The Anglican Church of Kenya (ACK) to offer training and help to form Community Savings Groups.
Partners
Faithful Servants SACCO, Embu
ACK Imani Talents SACCO, Nakuru
Talents SACCO, Thika (post-funding partner)
Kericho Community Development Trust
Western Community Development Trust
Baringo Community Development Trust
ACK Marsabit Women Empowerment Program
Training Focus
Financial literacy
Business management and entrepreneurship
Group savings and loans
Leadership training
The Program
The success of our partner programs in Kenya is striking: from humble beginnings in 2006 (when the first 13 trust groups were established), we’ve helped form over 100 trust groups and three Savings and Credit Cooperatives (SACCOs) consisting of more than 15,000 members with combined savings of over $2.5 million.
The program emphasizes training and uses a savings-led model. Members learn key skills in financial management and business development. They also participate in community owned and managed, savings groups, meeting together on a weekly basis. Most members start as subsistence level farmers, but many end up developing new businesses. The groups loan savings to one another, setting their own payment schedules and interest rates with guidance from our local staff. They receive mentorship, share stories, and support one another in developing sustainable businesses. Over time, the local savings groups develop into Community Banks and SACCOs, providing a variety of financial services to their communities. Five Talents Kenya is rapidly growing and currently expanding in new regions.
The Need
Please help us expand our work in Kenya either by making a one-time donation or learn more about how you can walk with us and become a monthly partner.
