1,000 Microloans for Rural Women in East Africa

Dear Supporters,

Stradling the equator in Meru and Laikipia Counties of Central Kenya are WMI’s loan partners, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy (LWC) and the Imela Community-Based Organization. WMI and LWC are currently mentoring Imela CBO in its transition to 100% leadership by village women.

The loan program in this region reaches about 36 groups, which is approximately 1,800 rural women. These women are mainly Maasai and Samburu peoples, who are faced with the challenge of generating income in a very rural region with limited resources and infrastructure.

Handcrafted beadwork is an integral part of the Maasai culture and the lives of many WMI borrowers. Generations of women have artfully sewn beads into stunning belts, neckpieces or headpieces, colorful artwork and other types of jewelry.

Access to financial capital and business training has allowed this deeply-rooted tradition to take a new form for WMI borrowers - it is an opportunity to start a business and generate income. One of the immediate barriers to beading is the upfront costs of purchasing beads and other materials required to create marketable designs. WMI loans allow women to purchase the necessary supplies to kickstart their bead working business.

These crafty businesswoman have established a robust method for fulfilling bead orders and training new beaders. The beading group, made up of creative leads called “star beaders” and “superstar beaders” meet to design new pieces and teach other women who want to learn the art.

Living in deeply rural areas means there is virtually no local market to sell artisan products. Major events like the Lewa Marathon offer an excellent opportunity for income generation, but they happen infrequently. Some organizations bring intermittent foreign orders, but more distribution channels are needed for the women’s work to gain a larger customer base. This is a problem WMI hopes to be able to help brainstorm potential solutions.

WMI loans have provided the Maasai women the critical starting capital to generate income, pay school fees and support their families. In the future, these women hope to use their exceptional skill to produce products for a steady, reliable, and consistent market.

Empowering women, specifically rural women, with financial capital and accessible markets is not an easy feat. WMI is committed to continue equipping this community with the resources needed to drive their own economic futures.

We send a heartfelt thanks from the over 11,000 rural women currently receiving WMI loans and training funded by your contributions. Thank you for being such a loyal supporter!