kenya trip - day 4
This has got to be it! Today is the day we are going to see micro-borrowers. These are people that don’t need much to get started, maybe $50 would be enough. Of course no traditional bank would lend them (or you) $50, so thank goodness for the microfinance institutions.
After talking to the Jitegemea Credit Scheme CEO, we finally had the chance to go see what wonders $50 can do.
Catherine managed to go from nothing to a 30-people operation
Though I was truly impressed with her success, and to what a micro-loan can do, I remember promising to myself that I would never complain about my work environment ever again. I kept that promise for at least a week.
In the afternoon we went to see another mfi and their borrowers, this time in Machakos. 50 kms or outside town. Also very impressive.
This lady, a teacher, managed to make enough money (starting from a tiny amount) and eventually build a house twice as big as mine, and what a view! Makes me very happy.
Back to Nairobi for dinner, where we ate at a “authentic Ethiopian restaurant”. Though it was as good as it looked, I’m afraid I’ll need some sort of man-made tool for eating. There’s no way I’m going to eat using my fingers, especially if I’m sharing. I know, I suck, but I really need some sort of spoon or fork. Thank you very much.
Great day altogether. Things are starting to shape up. Tomorrow we’re supposed to go see urban borrowers, which means visit the Nairobi slums.