They Are So Close!
All They Need is a Hand-up
Woni Wa Nzeeni, is one of our newest partners. Their name can be loosely translated as vision of Nzeeni Village. This is a vibrant community-based organization (CBO) in Makueni Countythat is committed to bringing both economic and environmental change in their village. In our efforts to address poverty comprehensively in the regions where we have sponsored children, Tumaini endeavors to partner with the communities for the benefit of all. Our goal is to offer a hand-up to those communities through grants, interest-free loans, and technical support.
Woni Wa Nzeeni members launched their group in January 2019 and are currently comprised of 11 members, both women, and men. They are involved in a variety of economic activities, including table banking, merry-go-rounds, nursery tree planting, brick making, and detergent making. From the merry-go-rounds, which is essentially a revolving account where each member contributes small set amounts weekly and at the end of the month, the total collection is given to one member. This process is rotated monthly with each member getting $22 when it is their turn.
On the other hand, table banking is their savings account whereby each member contributes a set amount monthly. From this account members can borrow monies at 10% interest which is a better option compared to borrowing from commercial banks. From the brick making and tree planting efforts, their collective revenue during the last quarter was $170. They are still early in the curve on detergent making project and have yet to make a profit.
All these are good baby steps and as an organization, we are committed to giving the CBO a financial hand-up to attain higher earnings in the coming months.
When our staff visited the group last week, it was evident that they have clear goals and are very excited about our partnership. Felister, the chairlady of the CBO put it best. “ As women, we thought we were unresourceful but after training and support from Tumaini, we are now investing a higher proportion than men, especially in matters relating to family and social life of the community. We have benefited much from the training areas such as Financial Management, Poultry keeping, and detergent making, which has led to unite us as a community and led to equal participation in all group activities. God Bless Tumaini”.
Woni Wa Nzeeni is clear on their vision going forward. Their goal is to not only benefit economically from our grant but indeed to become a learning center for the surrounding communities. This is how Zipporah, the group’s Secretary, put it: By nurturing tree nurseries we plan to provide the community with a variety of trees to make the earth a good place to live in. We plan also to establish a successful poultry production plant so that other women and men can learn from us’’. We are excited to work with this group and bring lasting changes to the community.
Because of your generous support, we are able to partner with visionary and determined CBOs like Woni Wa Nzeenit. Our earmarked grant and the ongoing technical support will enable this CBO to establish a poultry project that will propel them to a better economic situation. Their projected earnings by January 2021 from the poultry alone will be $180 monthly. This is huge and will make a big difference between the members and their families.
Thank you for your immeasurable partnership in providing economic pathways for the poor. In 2019, we provided economic assistance through CBOs to 13,500 beneficiaries! It costs just $2500 to launch a new CBO and give economic opportunity to a vulnerable population to work and provide for their families. If you would like to give a designated donation for socio-economic programs, please do so TODAY. You can go online or send a designated donation via check.
Lastly, A BIG THANK YOU to all for your outpouring of love and financial support in funding Mary’s house that I shared with you last week. It has been fully funded! Praise be to God!
Sincerely,
Stanley Mutunga
President & CEO
COVID-19 UPDATE
All indications are that the pandemic continues to spread steadily across the country
11,673 total confirmed cases (increased by 3,145, the highest in a week so!)
217 deaths (a record death of 48 people in a week, so far!)
42 Counties affected (an increase of one more county since last week)
We thank God for His protection. All the children and the families that we support remain safe. Our staff is all doing well and continuing to serve.