Project Description
The aim of the Give an Opportunity project is to support people in poor communities to start their own businesses so that they can improve the economic situation of their families themselves.
1.CURRENT SITUATION
In Kenya there is a serious lack of opportunities to work. Unemployment is up to 40% in towns, up to 80% in poor city districts and villages. This is despite the fact that many people master traditional crafts and skills. They are interested in utilising their experience and starting their own business or small shops. However, capital is needed for any business start-up. Usually only a small amount is needed, but even this can be unobtainable for them, because people in their situation don't have the option of getting a loan from a bank. A solution can be found in self-help groups, which are most of all joined by women, often supporting their family on their own.
2. OBJECTIVES OF THE PROJECT:
1. Supporting the formation and proper functioning of self-help groups.
2. Education for the members of the self-help groups in the areas of democratic group administration, financial management and the basics of business.
3. Supporting the establishment and development of the small businesses of the members of the self-help group.
3. WHERE IT WILL BE IMPLEMENTED:
Poor districts of Nairobi (Kabiria, Korogocho, Kibera, Mukuru and others), village areas in the province of Nyanza, Kenya.
4. TARGET GROUPS:
1. The members of self-help groups in Kenya - in 2009 we plan to work with 10 self-help groups and approx. 270 of their members
2. Companies that are interested in business co-operation with Kenyan manufacturers.
5. PROJECT STRATEGY:
1. Encouraging the formation of self-help groups in poor communities.
2. 1st course of specialised training for those interested in setting up self-help groups (forms, benefits and risks of self-help groups, organisational rules, democratic leadership, conflict resolution).
3. Members form a self-help group and establish rules for its leadership and organisation according to the knowledge they have gained.
4. 2nd course of specialised training for the members of the self-help groups (principles and types of microfinance, principles and rules for collective saving up of funds and loan provision).
5. Self-help groups establish the rules for the saving up of funds and subsequent loans for its members and begin collective saving up of funds on the basis of what they have learned.
6. 3rd course of specialised training (Basics of business, business objectives, market research, evaluating options, marketing, creativity, basics of bookkeeping...)
7. Those interested then draw up individual or group business plans, which they consult with the instructor.
8. The group starts to provide loans to its members with the money it has saved up, according to the established rules. However, the capital they are able to save up is very low. It would take a long time until support reached all the members and as a result the motivation to continue saving up would fall.
9. This is why at the same time ShineBean looks for sponsors for some of those starting businesses. They receive 100% of the amount given as a loan, which they repay according to the rules of their group. After repayment, the whole amount including interest is given back to the organisation. ShineBean uses 100% of the previously loaned amount to support others starting businesses and the interest for the actual implementation of the project. In this way the support is multiplied.
10. 4th Course of specialised training for group members and those starting businesses (Evaluation and management of risk, deepening the level of knowledge in topics that are relevant to the given group).
11. Subsequent support of those starting businesses in the form of consultations, co-operation in monitoring the market and preparing strategies.
12. ShineBean looks for opportunities for international business co-operation and consumers for the goods of Kenyan small businesses, in some instances assists in the development of products for which there is interest in international markets.
6. ADVANTAGES OF THE PROJECT:
1. The Give an Opportunity project brings effective long-term assistance to a large number of families.
2. It is possible to achieve self-financing projects and it is sustainable in the long term.
3. Implementation is simple and has low costs.
4. We are based on principles that are already known, proven and wanted
5. We have an extensive network of contacts in the target group.
6. The Give an Opportunity project is lead by an experienced local co-ordinator, who has the required education and extensive experience in leading training in poor districts.
7. The training can be adapted for people of varying levels of education and experience, can even be conducted with those who are illiterate.
8. Those receiving assistance actively participate, co-operate and develop their own plans.
9. Self-help groups guarantee the repayment of the loans to their members.
10. We have extensive experience in manufacturing and international business.
