Wema Self-help Group

Thank you for your loan. It has been disbursed to the Wema Self-Help Group group, consisting of Albert Birundi Moragori, Ronald Marube, Mose Maragia, Peter Onguso, Charles Nyakundi, Albert Otiso, Simon Tengeri, Edwin Monari, Margaret Kerubo, Eunice Moraa, Joyce Mati, Jacqueline Moraa, Motera Ombui by Opportunity International- Wedco Ltd. in Kenya. We are excited to watch this business grow. Over the next 9 months, Opportunity International- Wedco Ltd. will be collecting repayments from this entrepreneur and posting progress updates on the Kiva website.

Update by Zack Turner, Kiva Fellow with OI-Wedco in Kisumu, Kenya:

I attended a meeting of Wema Self-Help Group in the village of Kijauri, near Kisii town. After the meeting Simon Tengeri, the groups treasurer, offered an update on Albert Moragori’s behalf.

Simon has run a metal workshop in Kijauri for four years. He purchases raw metal in bulk and designs finished doors, windows, chairs, and other items (the photo below shows him making a security door). His regular customers are schools, churches, and a few individuals. Overall he averages a profit of 30,000 schillings per month ($450). As a result of his strong business he owns his home and shop. He hopes to improve his livelihood by sending his children to private schools and purchasing more advanced tools.

All of the group members were deeply affected by the violent crisis that occurred in the months after the disputed presidential election. During January and February violence made business and travel extremely dangerous and economic activity halted in much of Kenya. He was unable to conduct business during this time. Additionally, some of his clients were displaced with outstanding debt to him.

He reports that Albert was displaced during the violence. Albert fled with his family to his tribal home in the central area of Kenya. He is still there but contributes to his portion of the group loan, eventually he hopes to move back to Kijauri. Four other members were displaced as well. After peace was established, the displaced members still sent money back to the group to pay the loan. Simon explained that the group is still committed to include them in the next loan, which he is expecting to clear soon.

Special Notes:

This loan was posted mid-cycle on Kiva for extraordinary reasons. After peace and stability was restored, Opportunity International-Wedco chose to reschedule the loans of groups impacted by the post-election crisis. Kiva offered to help by posting the groups that were rescheduled, thus this extended update.

A self-help group is a legal community of people that band together to provide collateral. In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a 'group guarantee'. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults. For the Kiva posting, we select one member to represent the group with their story and business.

For more regarding the post-election crisis please start here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/2007%E2%80%932008_Kenyan_crisis