Empower a Woman, Change a Community
Journey4YOUth’s Process
1. Build Relationships Between 2010-2013 we went to Kenya 3 times, each time for 1-3 months. During these trips we lived with the families and we took time to ask them what their vision and hope is for their family and community. We realized we did not have the solution but we could be part of their solution. We also realized that simply providing food or other forms of aid will never help anyone progress and build a better life. |
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2. Bring People Together
We believe, and history has proven, that real change happens when people are united.
Journey4YOUth can invest in individual families but when they work together as a group they now have the potential to reach their entire community and beyond.
The mothers, grandmothers, aunts and a few fathers have come together to form the Orphans and Widows with Hope self-help group. They elected their own leaders, drafted a constitution, registered with the Kenyan government, opened a group bank account and have been saving and meeting together as a group since 2014.
3. Members are Equipped through Trainings and Workshops
The group has gone through a series of trainings to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to save money,
start a small business and equip/empower others in their community to do the same. Several women went through a month long organic farming certificate and a few members got certified in Permaculture.
4. Small Business Plans are Presented, Approved then Funded
After completing the trainings group members present their plans to the committee for approval. For a business plan to be approved each member must first save a specific amount and be committed to sustainable practices/environmental responsibility, equal rights and paying their loan forward. Once approved the new business owner is given a loan and agrees to make monthly payments back into the groups account. These payments will then be used to fund more loans.
The first 5 loans were funded and now the money that has been paid back will fund future loans.
We believe, and history has proven, that real change happens when people are united.
Journey4YOUth can invest in individual families but when they work together as a group they now have the potential to reach their entire community and beyond.
The mothers, grandmothers, aunts and a few fathers have come together to form the Orphans and Widows with Hope self-help group. They elected their own leaders, drafted a constitution, registered with the Kenyan government, opened a group bank account and have been saving and meeting together as a group since 2014.
3. Members are Equipped through Trainings and Workshops
The group has gone through a series of trainings to equip them with the skills and confidence needed to save money,
start a small business and equip/empower others in their community to do the same. Several women went through a month long organic farming certificate and a few members got certified in Permaculture.
4. Small Business Plans are Presented, Approved then Funded
After completing the trainings group members present their plans to the committee for approval. For a business plan to be approved each member must first save a specific amount and be committed to sustainable practices/environmental responsibility, equal rights and paying their loan forward. Once approved the new business owner is given a loan and agrees to make monthly payments back into the groups account. These payments will then be used to fund more loans.
The first 5 loans were funded and now the money that has been paid back will fund future loans.
5. A Small Business is Launched
Direct Impact: Families will be able to meet their own needs and provide a better future for their children. Families will also be empowered, as they will no longer need to depend on aid and they will be able to repay their loan to another family in need; being involved in breaking the cycle of poverty in their community.
Indirect Impact:
-The local economy will grow.
- A variety of nutritious food will become locally available, free from harsh chemicals that poison the land and contribute to sickness.
- The community will be strengthened as everyone works together to improve the livelihood of all.
7. The Loan is Paid Forward
The entrepreneur will make monthly payments (after an initial grace period) and their loan will be paid forward to the next person in need in their community in 2-3 years. . The next generations of families to receive loans will also go through all the trainings and work together as a group.
8. The Cycle is Repeated and an Entire Community Experiences Growth
The entire community will thrive as the local economy grows, job opportunities are created and sustainable/environmentally friendly principles are practiced.
Direct Impact: Families will be able to meet their own needs and provide a better future for their children. Families will also be empowered, as they will no longer need to depend on aid and they will be able to repay their loan to another family in need; being involved in breaking the cycle of poverty in their community.
Indirect Impact:
-The local economy will grow.
- A variety of nutritious food will become locally available, free from harsh chemicals that poison the land and contribute to sickness.
- The community will be strengthened as everyone works together to improve the livelihood of all.
7. The Loan is Paid Forward
The entrepreneur will make monthly payments (after an initial grace period) and their loan will be paid forward to the next person in need in their community in 2-3 years. . The next generations of families to receive loans will also go through all the trainings and work together as a group.
8. The Cycle is Repeated and an Entire Community Experiences Growth
The entire community will thrive as the local economy grows, job opportunities are created and sustainable/environmentally friendly principles are practiced.
To learn more about Journey4YOUth's full vision and guiding principles download the PDF from the link below.
A Success Story
We gave Ruth a loan to get trained as an HIV/AIDS counselor in 2015. In 2016 Ruth utilized her training as well as personal experience and stigma associated with HIV to test and counsel many in their homes, in a community where 25.7% of the population is living with HIV/AIDS. The stigma and shame associated with the disease is huge which prevents many form going to get the tests and medication they need. Ruth’s efforts were noticeable and the rate of people who started coming to the hospital for ARVs increased. This year Ruth was offered a job through Island of Hope Humanist Health Care where she continues to test, counsel and educate people on how to both live better with HIV/AIDS and prevent infecting others or getting the disease. You can read this incredible report here.