Ushanga Businesswomen in Mailua, a remote town in Kajiado South, Kajiado County were hit hard by the lockdown measures of COVID-19, that confined them to their villages. This contributed to a sharp increase in sexual and gender-based violence (SGBV) against women and girls.
The introduction of Jasiri Fund- a low-interest and unsecured loan for SGBV survivors came to the rescue. Women survivors of SGBV were able to access Jasiri loans through Kenya Women Finance Trust (KWFT) to rebuild their lives and businesses.
One of the beneficiaries of the Jasiri loan was Supukon Nkaanchu who received a loan of Ksh. 50,000 and used it to venture into the greengrocery business. Nkaanchu says that the business provides an income to sustain her household.
She adds that the orders made for beads have become inconsistent as a result she needed to venture into an alternative business
“In future, I want to build rental units with another loan from Jasiri Fund,” says Nkaachu
Right next to Supukon is Nkunyinyi Josiah. A 30-year-old businesswoman who owns a hotel christened ‘New Face Enterprises’ used Jasiri’s loan to open her hotel.
She says her business is doing well. A steady flow of mostly boda boda riders come in and out of her hotel for a quick bite, before returning to work. Besides owning the business, she is also a job creator whereby she has employed a young lady to help with cooking and waitress duties.
“My focus right now is to save and clear my current Jasiri loan as soon as possible, apply for a higher amount, and expand my hotel business to include a butchery as well.”
For Leah Meliyio, the loan came through at time she was still bound to care work duties as she was taking care of her weeks-old baby and therefore she could not engage in any vigorous activity that would take much of her time as well.
Rather than let the money be in her account, she decided to take a risk and use the money to buy goats and to open up a ‘Choma Zone’ (a hotel with a focus on selling roasted meat) and butchery/hotel that has become a favorite spot for many in the area. She also created job opportunities as she employed others to help in running the two businesses. “My goal for the near future is to expand the hotel part of my business to diversify my offerings and cater to an even larger number of customers.” Says Meliyio.
With support from Mastercard Foundation, through the Response, Recovery and Resilience Project in partnership with CREAW and GROOTS Kenya, CCGD has facilitated affordable financial services to women such as Supukon, Nkunyinyi, and Leah through Jasiri Fund. CCGD is currently implementing the program in Kwale, Kajiado and Busia Counties. As of April 2022, a total of 268 women and youth (young women) and PWDs with existing businesses had received loans worth Ksh. 15, 115, 875.
