We launched EhNkishon’s first project in 2012: a microfinance programme that helps Maasai women start their own businesses. The programme is inspired by the successful model developed by Nobel Peace Prize laureate Muhammad Yunus, founder of the Grameen Bank.
Women form groups of five, with each member developing her own small business. Some sell fruit and vegetables in nearby villages, others make and sell traditional Maasai shukas or jewellery, while others invest in a sewing machine to provide tailoring services.
A loan of around €100 is often enough to get started.
Each group elects a leader who collects the weekly repayments. Because every member guarantees the others’ loan, the women support and encourage one another to repay on time. This shared responsibility has made the programme highly successful, with an outstanding repayment rate of more than 99%.
Most loans are repaid within six to eight months. From that moment on, the women continue to run their businesses independently, generating a stable income to support their families, educate their children and build a better future.
A small loan can create lasting change.
