The idea of coming up with a women’s fund came up after meeting and discussing with women in Kisii on the way forward after kiva interest free loans transitioned from funding individual projects to funding partners. Fundraising strategies towards establishment of this fund were done and sale of T-shirts and walk were identified to be the most viable. The walk was successfully done on 10th October 2016 with the aim of fundraising as well as sensitizing the community about electing leaders of integrity since 2017 is our election year. The fund establishment is one of the synergy in HFAW economic empowerment projects as a source of capital in terms of loans. This Fund has been established.

After going through financial literacy, participants knowledge is put into practice in their own projects/businesses. Participants are organized using the ‘Grameen style’ with operating principles inspired by Grameen Bank in Bangladesh, developed by Nobel Laureate Muhammed Yunus. Conversations with the South African Pakhamani inspired us further. The style addresses the needs of the poor by creating a system based on trust, accountability, participation, and creativity. Grameen style is a pro-poor approach to micro-enterprise development that provides credit to the poorest of the poor and with strong client support. Our participant’s are organized in groups of three to five members including a Chairperson, secretary and a treasurer. The members hold monthly meetings where sharing ideas, assessing and improving each member’s project as well as making contribution towards group account. The groups are also attached to a trained field officer who provides continuous technical assistance, identifies the gaps on skills that members require and recommend for expert capacity building among members to improve their projects and businesses.

Our first loan disbursement was done to 4 women based on our assessment criteria and readiness. Additional members will receive loans . Our goal this year is to reach 100 women by end of 2017 with loans, finance literacy skills and best practices in agribusiness.
Guiding Principles
• Voluntary and open membership
• Economic participation by member.
• Education, training and information
• Poverty is in our minds, wealth in our hands
• Concern for community in general
• Integrity brings prosperity.