Hand in Hand Eastern Africa (HiH EA) is a non-governmental organization that has been at the forefront of transforming the lives of people in Kenya’s informal settlements. HiH EA’s groundbreaking initiative, the Kenya Micro-Enterprise Success Programme (KMES), funded by Visa Inc., has been instrumental in restoring local economies, creating employment opportunities, and lifting families out of poverty.
The KMES project has enabled small business owners and first-time entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s informal settlements to access business and financial training, providing them with the necessary skills to scale up their businesses. Existing small business owners have also received additional mentoring and support in social media and digital marketing. These skills have enabled them to reach a wider market, increase their customer base and generate more revenue.
Damiana Mwende, a fish seller operating in Jampark, Ngong Road, Nairobi County, is one of the beneficiaries of the KMES project. Damiana’s story is a testimony to the power of entrepreneurship and how the right support can transform the lives of individuals and communities.
Before joining the KMES project, Damiana’s fish-selling business was struggling. Despite her hard work, she was unable to reach a wider market and generate more revenue. She was also not familiar with social media and digital marketing, which meant that she was missing out on potential customers who were using these platforms to search for products and services.
After joining the KMES project, Damiana received social media and digital marketing training. This training was a game-changer for her business. She learned how to use social media platforms like Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter to market her products and reach a wider audience. She also learned how to take high-quality photos of her products and how to write engaging captions that would capture the attention of potential customers.
With her new skills, Damiana began to market her fish products on social media. Within a few weeks, she started to receive more inquiries and orders than ever before. Her customer base increased, and she was able to generate more revenue than she ever thought possible.
Today, Damiana’s business has grown significantly. She has been able to expand her customer base beyond her local area, reaching customers from all over Nairobi and even outside the city. She has also been able to employ more people to help her with her business, creating job opportunities for others in her community.
The impact of the KMES project has gone beyond just Damiana’s business. The project has transformed the lives of many people in Nairobi’s informal settlements. The skills and training provided have empowered small business owners and first-time entrepreneurs to take charge of their lives, create employment opportunities, and contribute to the development of their communities.
The KMES project has also had a multiplier effect on the local economy. The businesses that have been supported have been able to generate more revenue, which has contributed to the growth of other businesses in the area. This has led to the restoration of local economies, creating a ripple effect that has lifted families out of poverty and transformed the lives of many people in Nairobi’s informal settlements.
In conclusion, the Kenya Micro-Enterprise Success Programme implemented by Hand in Hand Eastern Africa has been a lifeline for many small business owners and first-time entrepreneurs in Nairobi’s informal settlements. The project has provided the necessary skills and training to enable these individuals to scale up their businesses and contribute to the development of their communities. Damiana Mwende’s story is a testimony to the power of entrepreneurship and the transformative impact that the right support can have on individuals and communities.