Getting Out of Nothing

Rolling a red bead.

Everybody wants to get something for nothing, right? We all know that’s rarely possible, but one of the big benefits of CHE is to learn a variety of methods and mind-sets to get the most out of the little resources you have. If people will stick with CHE past the part where it’s apparent there’s no financial handout that’s going to happen, then they can start understanding how saving groups and microbusiness fit into the CHE method. We had an excellent visit this past week in Western Kenya where we got to see these elements working in awesome ways. 

The first CHE household we visited proceeded to show us the bead and necklace business they had started. The part that blew us away is that they make all the beads from strips of discarded paper (very low over-head), but they look like snazzy, polished products from a high-class boutique. The next day we visited a home where a CHE savings group was meeting. They were excited to receive us and demonstrate a CHE lesson on how to make large batches of organic fertilizer that can be sold or used to produce more agriculture profits. The savings activity of the group is to save $3 a month and then once a member reaches a certain amount she can submit a loan proposal to the group for up to 3 times the amount of her total savings. This is a brilliant solution to the pervasive problem of not having enough resources to support their families, and there is accountability built into the relationship and organization of this group of nine ladies. They call themselves Kaza Mwendo (be zealous on the journey). 

Later we met the savings group based in the local church where these ladies were trained. This group was started by three CHE trainers four years ago, and now has 30 members. It was inspiring to hear their story and vision for rising to greater financial sufficiency through micro-businesses, as well as bringing their community up with them. Their current savings total of $3,000 and they’ve been able to secure an interest free loan from the government of another $3,000 that can be used by members for income generating activities. They also have well thought out rules and penalties for group members that allow for all the problems that arise, including offerings at times of family celebration and tragedy that often throw people off their financial planning.

-- El Padre