Entrepreneur training, Kenya and Tanzania
In recent years, although Kenya and Tanzania have seen some positive economic growth, the level of extreme poverty in both countries is still very high. 20 million people in Kenya and 27 million in Tanzania, live off an income of less than USD 1.9 per day.
In particular, the rural population, women and youth are being left behind with very little hope for a better life in the foreseeable future.
Objectives
Fighting poverty by creating small- and medium-sized companies
Empowering women and youth
Project description
Hand in Hand, which has been active in Kenya since 2010, has developed a simple yet powerful method for developing micro-businesses in agriculture and other sectors. The process starts by mobilizing the rural population into self-help groups which then undergo training over a minimum of nine months. The curriculum includes financial literacy, business and marketing concepts, entrepreneurship, technical training in farming, strategies to cope with climate change as well as modules to develop important life skills. After a period of trust building, community-based saving models are implemented (such as table banking), from which micro loans can be drawn to start a business.
Impact
40,000 enterprises and 30,000 new jobs have been created which help 150,000 East Africans afford a better life
Access to food and water, a safe and healthy home, education for children, and access to health care
Partner organizations
Hand in Hand is an international aid organization headquartered in London. Covering Eastern Africa, South Africa, Afghanistan and India, their mission is to fight poverty by providing jobs, empowering women entrepreneurs, educating people about climate resilience and helping youths and refugees.