5,668 members (69% women)
with savings/capital share of approximately USD 316,053
USD 1.5 million distributed in loans to small businesses started by women and youth
Household Based Businesses
Biashara Mashinani develops men’s and women’s individual and group capacities to start and manage enterprises. We use a structured graduation-based process that combines training, business development, business mentorship, and financial literacy tools such as savings, loans, mobile banking, and a savings and credit cooperative.
Micro-credit loans provided through the Northern Rangelands SACCO
(NR SACCO)
The Northern Rangelands SACCO, an independent, community-owned Savings and Credit Cooperative Organisation for conservancy members, acts as the crucial financial intermediary providing access to financial services through savings and loans.
IMPACT
All members receive tailored business and financial literacy training, and 29 Community Enterprise Agents have been trained to recruit members, generate new business ideas, and follow up on
loan repayments.
Many Moran youths are joining NR Sacco after seeing how my life has been transformed and how other youths have benefitted, with motorcycles to pay in a duration of a few years. I want to encourage other youths to join the SACCO to change their lives and overcome the many challenges in Northern Kenya. Saving has become part of me, am very happy because, during the 2021-2022 annual delegate meeting held in Samburu Kalama, I was recognized as the best male saver.
Sameti Philip Lesantanguny, SACCO beneficiary from Westgate Conservancy.
Ujuzi Manyattani
(skills development
and entrepreneurship program)
Ujuzi Manyattani is a vocational training delivery model in which polytechnics place trainers in villages to teach marketable skills.
By placing trainers in communities, Ujuzi Manyattani provides access to learning for people from disadvantaged socio-economic backgrounds and those who have not accessed formal education. It enables pastoralists to acquire practical vocational skills where other training facilities are absent without disrupting their way of life. Adult literacy and entrepreneurship skills are also incorporated into the training. Trainers and tools move across villages, conservancies, and counties to provide equal opportunities to all ethnic groups in community conservancies. Our current technical partners are Kiirua Technical Training Institute and Laikipia North Technical and Vocational College.
Ujuzi Manyattani has trained more than 545 women and youth.
Biashara Mashinani is indeed changing mindsets. There is growing empowerment of women to control their lives and invest in their families, and a growing realization in young men on reducing the dependence on livestock keeping as the only livelihood, and that there are alternatives to fighting other tribes. There are significant potential knock-on effects on reducing conflict and preventing radicalization – creating peace and stability in a volatile region.
Ujuzi Manyattani has given me hope and the will to dream more of great things in life. I never thought I would be this far, but because of NRT Trading’s skills empowerment, determination, resilience, and hope, I have been able to conquer the barriers to getting modern technical skills as a woman in northern Kenya. Am proud of the skills that have seen me earn a good income and be able to prepare a nice shirt as a gift to Danish Ambassador to Kenya, H.E Ole Thonke, who graced our graduation ceremony on 6th April 2022.
Jane Asimit, Nakuprat- Gotu Conservancy