Summary of Need

Kenya, a country known for its beauty and wildlife, is experiencing declining economic growth, falling agricultural production, and high unemployment, all leading to an unprecedented increase in poverty. More than 50 percent of Kenyans live below the poverty line. This crisis is leaving many families vulnerable both physically and spiritually as they struggle with increasing hopelessness and destitution.

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Community Description

The town of Thika, about 45-minutes from Nairobi, is a microcosm of what has happened in this country. It has experienced a dramatic increase in population in the past 10 years,  leading to more families living in the streets, higher incidence of HIV/AIDS, and heightened insecurity. It is the administrative center for the Thika District, which has a total population of 900,000 people.  One-third of this population lives in the urban area. The Upper Zone of the District has a cool climate with rich volcanic soils that lends itself to coffee growing, tea planting, and pineapple groves. The lower zone has little rainfall and most people live on subsistence farming. Thika was once a major industrial center, but in recent years many of the large plants have closed leaving many out of work and destitute.

Project Description

With the loss of the large industrial plants, it is left to the entrepreneurs and small business owners to rebuild the economy.  The Anglican Diocese of Thika requested assistance from Five Talents International to establish a savings and credit program that will empower poor entrepreneurs, a majority of whom are women, to create new jobs and sustain small businesses. The Diocese created the Thika Community Development Trust (TCDT) to operate the program in an efficient and professional manner.

The overall goal of the TCDT Capacity Building project proposal is to contribute to the efforts of poverty alleviation through a sustainable microfinance program. The project employs the principle of savings and credit, and is run by self help groups herein referred to as ‘Trust Groups’. Trust Groups formed at the grass root level are owned and managed by the members, through the Thika Community Development Trust which is the legal holder. 

 How you can help

In 2010, Five Talents is raising $80,000 to support the training process for trust groups and to build the diocesan staff capacity to administer this program. 

Help us break the cycle of dependency by supporting the Five Talents International Kenya program.  You will be fighting poverty, creating jobs and transforming lives!