There is a huge need in Kenya for help and our charity is just not able to support all the requests we get. But there are other reasons why we are experimenting with loans to groups.

If we are asked to give a grant to start up, for example, a vegetable growing business, we find that a loan gives the incentive to run that business sustainably. If we ask for a simple business plan, it helps people to think through their ideas – asking themselves how they will make an income from the business.

We give loans to groups because it encourages the community to work together. Loans to individuals comes with the risk of the trust seeming to favour a small number of people.

Would you like to donate to us so we can make more loans to start small businesses?

Loans not grants