Go Girl! Kibera
I’ve been in Nairobi for almost two weeks, working with K-Rep Development Agency (KDA), whose mission is “…to build the field of microfinance through the development of appropriate microfinance products and services to create economic opportunities for low- income people and contribute to eliminating poverty.” The agency works to achieve this mission by developing and piloting innovativ e micro-finance products designed to reach marginalized niches across Kenya. Current K-Rep pilot programs are reaching people infected with HIV/AIDS, young urban entrepreneurs, women, bee-keepers, tree farmers, dairy farmers, and more.
Go Girl is a former KDA pilot project that launched in 2006 and was just recently absorbed by K-Rep Bank. Go Girl reaches more than 600 girls living in poverty, age 10 – 18, and offers a safe and encouraging environment where social and economic issues are explored. And of course, the girls are counseled on the importance of saving!
I was invited to a Go Girl Savings Club meeting over the weekend which took place in Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi. Kibera is home to more than one million people, accounting for nearly a third of the city’s population. The girls meet every Saturday afternoon at a Women’s Development Center in their neighborhood. This week was a special meeting. In addition to collecting weekly savings deposits, each active member received a Piggy Bank, a Go Girl T-shirt, sanitary napkins (for those over age 15), a bottle of soda, and biscuits.
The meeting room was lively with movement and activity all afternoon, approximately 200 girls in attendance. I assisted K-Rep staff Jillo, Christine, and Edna in tracking attendance, distributing items, and taking photographs. I am excited to see that organizations such as KDA are not only focused on micro-lending for the working poor, but also recognize the importance of reaching out to youth to make an impact early on - by providing education, support, and opportunity to deposit small savings in group or individual accounts.
As an honorary Go Girl (I was issued a T-shirt too!) I look forward to participating in another meeting soon.