Maji Mazuri Microfinance program continues to be a pillar in supporting microenterprise activities among underserved communities in Mathare slums with a special focus on women and youth led enterprises. The program has achieved great success in improving the quality of life for its members through creating access to small business startup grants, low interest loans, convenient savings programs, financial training and business mentorship.
Majority of its members recorded improved income in 2022 and some created job opportunities for other people through their businesses. 15 new members joined the program in 2022 increasing the program membership to 46 members’. Members’ savings grew by 88% in 2022 to Kenyan shillings 357,870 ( USD 3579) from 190,130 ( USD 1902) Kenyan shillings in December 2021. 14 members received financial support through small loans to boost and expand their businesses. The amount issued as loans to members grew by 280% in 2022 toKenyan shillings 394,500 ( USD 3945) as compared to Kenyan shillings 140,100 ( USD 1401) issued in 2021. Below is a graphic illustration on growth of members’ savings and amount of loans issued between 2021 and 2022.
Meet Linda a member of Maji Mazuri microfinance program
Linda is among the pioneer members of Maji Mazuri microfinance program. She runs a general shop in the community and is a mother of 4 children. During the height of Covid-19 pandemic in June 2020, her business collapsed and she could not feed her children. She depended on well-wishers to feed her family and sometimes they could go without food.
Her 1st born daughter was in grade 8 and preparing for her final national examination before covid-19 pandemic disrupted the school calendar. She looked forward to doing her final national examination when schools opened and hoped to join secondary school thereafter. However, Linda did not have any savings to support her children back to school or even prepare her daughter to join secondary school.
When Maji Mazuri Microfinance started in October 2020, she joined the program and received a small financial grant which helped her to start her business again with few items. Financial training and business mentorship sessions in the program helped her start a weekly savings plan. After 5 months, her savings had grown and was able to get her 1st loan. She used part of her loan to add more items to her shop and used the remaining amount to take her daughter to secondary school. This was a great achievement in her plan to see her daughter join secondary school.
Through her business and financial assistance from the Maji Mazuri micro finance program, Linda has been able to support her daughter’s secondary school education and the needs of her other children. Linda works very hard on her business and her income has improved significantly. She is now able to feed her family and her savings in the program have improved. Below is a photo of Linda in her shop.