Women Empowerment Project (WEP) recruitment drive Mombasa, Kenya

On 22^nd May 2024, the Project Manager, of the Kenya office, visited three women groups in Mombasa to recruit more groups for the WEP program. The groups were located in Miritini, Kongowea, and Mtopanga. We reached the groups courtesy of our pastoral training contacts in Mombasa.

During the sessions, the TLAfrica WEP Coordinator shared God’s word, and some refreshments, and spoke to the groups about TLAfrica’s WEP policies and philosophy. The groups showed much interest in engaging WEP through receiving microloans for their projects. Each session had a question forum where the group members clarified their understanding of our WEP program. We provided the groups with copies of our policies, and the different forms that the groups may use in the loaning process. The WEP Coordinator will be in touch with the group leaders, to walk with them through the loan application process, and any training that may be required. Below is a brief description, and photo of each group.

The Upendo Support group in Kongowea is made up of 18 members. The group was registered in 2023. The group meets bimonthly for fellowship, savings, and table banking. Individual members are involved in small businesses such as selling shoes and clothes, mosquito nets, and taking casual jobs. The group has a common project of baking cakes and other pastries and it has prospects for other projects such as supplying water to the community.

The Family Joy Group in Miritini was registered in 2022. It is made up of 8 members. The group meets every week for savings collection, table banking and to collectively engage in their group project of selling cereal. The group members are also individually involved in small businesses.

The Jielimishe Group in Mtopanga is made up of 12 members. The members meet every week to contribute to their savings and for their group project. They are individually involved in small businesses such as selling soap, pastries, clothes, fish, and juices and running small food shops. The group has a group project of loaning out cooking pots (sufurias) for events in the community. The group desires to expand its sufuria business by getting larger pots that can cater for bigger events.