6,007 members (70% women)
with savings/capital share of Ksh 44.3 million (USD 328,148)
Ksh 200 million loans disbursed
Ksh 13.6 million (USD 100,740) was used to finance 334 new youth and women-run businesses.
Household Based Businesses
Biashara Mashinani is a structured graduation-based program that encompasses training, business development, business mentorship, the provision of financial literacy tools, such as savings and loan facilities and mobile banking, and access to a Savings and Credit Cooperative Organization (SACCO).
Micro-credit loans provided through the Rangelands SACCO
The Rangelands SACCO is an independent, community-owned, and membership-driven financial organization that receives oversight, critical technical support, and training from MashinaniWORKS.
IMPACT
All members receive tailored business and financial literacy training, and Village Enteprise Volunteers (VEVs) have been identified and trained to recruit members, generate new business ideas, and follow up on loan repayments.
“I have gained valuable knowledge from business training provided by MashinaniWORKS on how to make my business thrive. I have been putting aside funds for unforeseen circumstances and expansion, being more courteous to my customers, and organizing my collections more effectively.
Batuli Bw’kombo, SACCO beneficiary from Pate Conservancy.
Ujuzi Manyattani
Ujuzi Manyattani is a vocational training delivery model in which polytechnics place trainers in villages to teach marketable skills.
By placing trainers in communities, Ujuzi Manyattani provides access to learning for people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and those who have not accessed formal education. It enables pastoralists to acquire practical vocational skills where other training facilities are absent without disrupting their way of life. Adult literacy and entrepreneurship skills are also incorporated into the training. Trainers and tools move across villages, conservancies, and counties to provide equal opportunities to all ethnic groups in community conservancies. Our partnering TVET institutions include Kiirua Technical Training Institute, Laikipia North Technical and Vocational College, and Nyeri National Polytechnic (for the Recognition of Prior Learning)
Since 2019, Ujuzi Manyattani has empowered over 1,400 youths, with 96% starting businesses through self-employment. On average, graduates see a $70 monthly income boost. Annually, they inject over $1,137,000 into the local economy, creating income streams previously nonexistent.
Biashara Mashinani is indeed changing mindsets. There is growing empowerment of women to control their lives and invest in their families, and a growing realization in young men on reducing the dependence on livestock keeping as the only livelihood, and that there are alternatives to fighting other tribes. There are significant potential knock-on effects on reducing conflict and preventing radicalization – creating peace and stability in a volatile region.
Ujuzi Manyattani has given me hope and the will to dream more of great things in life. I never thought I would be this far, but because of MashinaniWORKS skills empowerment, determination, resilience, and hope, I have been able to conquer the barriers to getting modern technical skills as a woman in northern Kenya. Am proud of the skills that have seen me earn a good income and be able to prepare a nice shirt as a gift to Danish Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Ole Thonke, who graced our graduation ceremony on 6th April 2022.
Jane Asimit, Nakuprat- Gotu Conservancy