A.38 – Women self-help group in urban Kenya
WAREMBO NA MAENDELEO SELF HELP GROUP
About the business
Micro Business and Table banking.
Warembo na Maendeleo Self Help group operates within Nairobi County of Kenya. The group was started by three house helps who agreed to work together to better their lives by making contributions and support each other. This was to help boost their small salaries that they earned because the needs were more than the income. Parents and other relatives needed some financial support from the house helps, some house helps had children to support, among other needs. This group has grown and today it has a total of 15 members. The operation has since changed from financial support to micro-business investment and savings.
The contribution approach has remained the same (monthly). However, it has grown from KSh. 500 to KSh. 2,000. The number has also grown from 3 members to 15 members. Out of the KSh. 2000 contribution from each member, KSh. 1,500 goes to supporting a member’s business while KSh. 500 is kept as savings for the member.
CEO
Faith Muhonja
Group Leadership: The group has 5 officials with Faith Muhoja at the helm of the group as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Vision: The group’s vision is: “Empowered Girl-Child for Economic Development.”
Mission: The group’s mission is: “Supporting ladies to be self-employed.”
Years of Operation: Base-line The group has been operating for the last 10 years.
Outcome challenges
The main challenge has been low capital, thus the inability of expanding micro-businesses so as to increase the scope of members’ economic fortunes. This brought about by the fact that members depend on their meagre salaries and waiting for their chance to get fellow members’ contribution through the merry-go-round system.
Activities
The group is sourcing for funds to enable it give small loans to members even as they continue to contribute the KSh. 2000 for their savings. The loans will be exclusively for businesses. The loans will range from KSh. 1000 to KSh. 10000 and will be repaid monthly. Members with loans will pay both KSh. 2000 for saving and amount meant to repay the loan depending on the loan taken.
Loan Requested: The group has requested a loan of KSh. 300,000 from HR&S Branch Kenya.
Accounting Training: The members of the group have been trained on accounting by HR&S Branch Kenya official (Dr. Justus Barasa). The knowledge and skills gained have helped the group improve its operations and prudent management of finances.
Finances, KShs.
First instalment of 300,000 requested in Oct 2023. Not Paid.
Loan paid out: Jan 2024, 38,000
Loan repayment to start in Feb 2024.
Loan duration one year.
Payment once a month.
Second instalment requested of xxx requested in xxx.
Total request xxx EUR xxx
Cost of Assets: Currently, the group has savings amounting to KSh. 90,000. At the same time, all 15 members own micro-businesses that they operate within Nairobi including selling milk, eggs, vegetables, beauty shops, M-Pesa shops, among others.
Profits per month: Individual members’ micro-business makes an average profit of KSh. 5,000 per month. Collectively, the monthly profits amount to KSh. 75,000.
Loan repayment ability: The amount that can be used to pay loan per month is KSh. 1,500 per member. This in total comes to KSh. 22,500 from the 15 members.
Accounting training
REPORT October 2023
By Kevin WERUNGA
Warembo na Maendeleo Self Help Group
About the Business: Warembo na Maendeleo Self Help group operates within Nairobi County of Kenya. The group was started by three house helps who agreed to work together to better their lives by making contributions and support each other. This was to help boost their small salaries that they earned because the needs were more than the income. Parents and other relatives needed some financial support from the house helps, some house helps had children to support, among other needs. This group has grown and today it has a total of 15 members. The operation has since changed from financial support to micro-business investment and savings.
The contribution approach has remained the same (monthly). However, it has grown from KSh. 500 to KSh. 2,000. The number has also grown from 3 members to 15 members. Out of the KSh. 2000 contribution from each member, KSh. 1,500 goes to supporting a member’s business while KSh. 500 is kept as savings for the member.
Vision: The group’s vision is: “Empowered Girl-Child for Economic Development.”
Mission: The group’s mission is: “Supporting ladies to be self-employed.”
Years of Operation: The group has been operating for the last 10 years.
Cost of Assets: Currently, the group has savings amounting to KSh. 90,000. At the same time, all 15 members own micro-businesses that they operate within Nairobi including selling milk, eggs, vegetables, beauty shops, M-Pesa shops, among others.
Profits per month: Individual members’ micro-business makes an average profit of KSh. 5,000 per month. Collectively, the monthly profits amount to KSh. 75,000.
Loan repayment ability: The amount that can be used to pay loan per month is KSh. 1,500 per member. This in total comes to KSh. 22,500 from the 15 members.
Group Leadership: The group has 5 officials with Faith Muhoja at the helm of the group as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO).
Challenges: The main challenge has been low capital, thus the inability of expanding micro-businesses so as to increase the scope of members’ economic fortunes. This brought about by the fact that members depend on their meagre salaries and waiting for their chance to get fellow members’ contribution through the merry-go-round system.
Need for Loan: The group is sourcing for funds to enable it give small loans to members even as they continue to contribute the KSh. 2000 for their savings. The loans will be exclusively for businesses. The loans will range from KSh. 1000 to KSh. 10000 and will be repaid monthly. Members with loans will pay both KSh. 2000 for saving and amount meant to repay the loan depending on the loan taken.
Loan Requested: The group has requested a loan of KSh. 300,000 from HR&S Branch Kenya.
Accounting Training: The members of the group have been trained on accounting by HR&S Branch Kenya official (Dr. Justus Barasa). The knowledge and skills gained have helped the group improve its operations and prudent management of finances.
Status report by Faith MUHONJA, 24 July 2024
BUSINESS STATUS
Our businesses have been affected by nationwide protests. Some businesses of my members were affected by the protests. We live in a risky informal settlement known as Kawangware. On days of protest, we usually close our businesses. Them being small businesses, not operating even for one day really affects. Some members come for soft loans from the group but the miss. However, with all this, members are committed and have always submitted their contributions to ensure we fully repay our loan on time. We are grateful for the partnership and support with HR&S. We requested for Ksh. 300,000 but we got only Ksh. 31,000. This has really helped us. However, we will appreciate more support so that our businesses that were affected by protests can be revived and also help expand them.
Faith Muhonja
Chair, WAREMBO NA MAENDELEO SELF HELP GROUP
Members
G and SHA Beauty Cosmetics
RISEmember madame Faith Muhonja, the owner of G and SHA Beauty Cosmetics and the founder and chair lady of the Warembo Na Maendeleo Self Help Group in Kawangware, Nairobi.
Remarkable resilience. This quality not only defines her work but also sets a positive example for others in the community.
We are pleased to have provided her with a loan in 2023/2024, and despite the current challenges in our country, she has consistently honored her agreement.
In a recent exclusive interview filmed by our Branding & PR Team, @Wayne Cool, Research and Survey, and @Aggrey OB, she emphasized the importance of supporting her journey.
As we approach the Christmas season, we are excited to announce that a top-up of the loan is on the horizon. This is a great opportunity for people to purchase her products, which will not only benefit her but also have a positive impact on the community.
We are dedicated to ensuring the successful implementation of our Rope Management Strategy, providing her with access to essential training and coaching to further her growth.