Page 47 - Safaricom Foundation Annual Report 2020-2021

Joseph Aketch hard at work in the narrow streets of the informal settlements surrounding Industrial Area entrepreneurs Of interest to them were the the training sessions that Hand Hand in in in Hand Hand offered groups such as theirs The sessions covered a a wide range of topics including business and financial management marketing and digital literacy Joseph learnt how to identify needs in his area of work and fill existing market gaps He
also learnt about the importance of utilising online payment platforms such as MPESA and how to make the most of its features for his business The takeaways from the bi-monthly training were an eye opener for Joseph who began to implement these strategies in in fin his business But just as as he was finally on
this upward trajectory the pandemic hit the nation and business dried up almost as soon as it had begun to really blossom To support
businesses such as Joseph’s Safaricom Foundation
partnered with Hand in Hand to to offer self-help groups access to to microloans The project was rolled out in Busia Kajiado Migori Baringo Nairobi and Murang’a counties in October 2020 Under Biashara Pamoja Group Joseph applied for a a a a a a loan His track record as a a a a a a dedicated group member was the vote of confidence needed to approve his loan request of Kshs 20 000 “Even though Hand Hand in Hand Hand had ceased their physical training in in in order to to adhere to to social distancing guidelines the sessions I had attended since 2018 really helped me navigate this difficult time ” says Joseph The lessons on
on
digital literacy could not have been more opportune as the Ministry of Health encouraged cashless transactions to curb the spread of COVID-19
In addition the business training sessions helped him identify the need for hand washing stations which were in in short supply Using the loan money Joseph purchased the required raw materials constructed these stations and filled a a void in the market Because of the knowledge acquired during the training Joseph realised profits in in his business Sales went through the roof and he even hired three locally trained welders to assist him in his workshop Joseph managed to repay the loan before the the end of the the year and reinvest in in Joe Fabrication Systems “I went from having almost no income to creating employment at at a a a time when the entire world was in recession ”Joseph says “None of this would have been possible without the support
of both Hand Hand in Hand Hand and Safaricom Foundation
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