Poverty alleviation is one of the most important objectives of developing countries. A promising strategy to reach this objective seems to be access to credit for the poor so that new opportunities can be created to improve incomes. Microfinance programs, which targets specifically the poor, constitute a major tool for improving the standard of living without creating dependency and encouraging them to take part in the economic process.
The concept of microfinance is not new. Its origin lies in the numerous traditional and informal systems of credit that have existed in developing economies for centuries. GENCAD international see microfinance as a means for providing more efficient aid to low-income families in rural areas. GENCAD has supported 75 women through microfinance in the northeastern part of Kenya, Mandera. The money donated by our wonderful supporters is provided as a small credit to the poor, allowing them to develop economic activities.
GENCAD project coordinator visited Khadija, one of the beneficiaries recently during her field visit.
Khadija is a 55-year-old mother of four who lost her husband during the clan conflict in Wajir, which forced her to flee; she ended up in Elwak with her four children and three grandchildren. She was devastated by the death of her husband. The trauma of losing her husband and the challenges of bringing up the children on her own placed much emotional strain on her. Shortly after they camped in Elwak as IDPs, Khadija experienced further loss when her eldest son passed away leaving her with his three children.
‘‘ When left on your own, you have to push boundaries and make things happen. When you are weak, you are done.’’ Khadija Said.
Khadija whose primary economic activity was pastoralism before she fled didn’t know where to start from; she survived on food aid and sometimes sleeping hungry.
‘‘I sometimes go to the neighbourhoods to do household work and buy food for my family. ’ she said
During GENCAD team visit in 2015 for the women empowerment through microfinance project, Khadija was identified by the village elders because of her vulnerable status.
Khadija received her first phase of the ksh15,000 loan; she immediately started buying milk from herders and selling it in town, Khadija’s economic status has since then improved abundantly. Thank you for making this possible.
‘‘The income generating loan I received was beneficial. I can now support my family and I request further support from GENCAD so that I can support my children’s high school education.’’
There are 100s of women like Khadija whose lives have not been touched, ‘‘every time there is a conflict we as the women and the children suffer,’’ she concluded. Khadija prays for peace. Khadija is up to date with her repayment and is hoping to receive more.
We plan to disburse loans to 25 women in September 2018. This was made possible by a fantastic fundraising effort by our supporters in July this year. With your continued support, we shall continue to support vulnerable women in Mandera county and beyond. We thank you for your support and pray that you will continue lending us your helping hand. Thank you and may God bless you.