What Does a Wake Up Call, Piglets, and Goats Have In Common? A Micro Enterprise Hero

Dairy Goat Farming: A dream come true for Gitombani Dairy Goat Farmers Group

In addition to being more expensive than cow milk, goat milk is also healthier. For farmers that want to switch from raising dairy cows traditionally, maintaining dairy goats can be profitable. Currently, Kenya's dairy industry generates 3.43 billion liters of milk annually, contributing around 8% of the country's GDP (297 million from goats).

Gitombani Dairy Goat Farmers registered with the Micro Enterprise program and joined HopeCore in March 2022. The group expressed an interest in receiving support from HopeCore to establish a personalized dairy goat project, expecting members to be provided with dairy goats. The project's ultimate objective was to give the farmers the means to earn money, provide the local population with access to high-quality goat milk, and—most importantly—generate employment opportunities for themselves and others. Additionally, make Gitombani a role model for young entrepreneurs, farmers, and students by developing these farms into suitable breeding facilities through which farmers can obtain improved breeds of goat kids.

Farmers receiving goats from HopeCore

The Gitombani Dairy farmers received funding from HopeCore to pursue their dream of farming, specifically dairy goat farming. Many locals questioned the group's decision to venture into goat rearing without much prior industry experience. However, the community thought they were more than just dreamers when the group began and received funding for dairy goats in September with the help of practical training provided by Chair Tharaka Nithi Goat Breeders Association, who is collaborating with Tharaka Nithi County government through HopeCore.

A dairy goat consultant engaged by HopeCore provided training to the group in September on goat management procedures, pasture establishment, goat health, and goat shed construction. Members' attitudes were shaped by the training they received in dairy goat development. Following the training, two dairy nannies and one bag of dairy feeds were given to 14 Gitombani beneficiaries as a result of HopeCore funding. 

"Quite frequently, many needy families in this community ask for handouts, but we believe this trend will significantly change thanks to the integrated farming practices they see from this project farm." "Life has changed a lot since I joined this project," one farmer said in his closing statement. "Great thanks to HopeCore and other donors who have made a dream turn into a reality.

A story of hard work and determination

When it comes to gaining access to financial products and services, women in rural areas of developing countries encounter significant challenges. Calmen Kaari, a client of Micro Enterprise, was in this situation because she lacked any assets to use as collateral for a bank loan, making it impossible for her to access credit facilities. Despite having grand ambitions and the ability to launch and manage a successful business, she could not realize her goals due to a lack of funding. She, therefore, lacked the means and information necessary to empower her family and herself financially. 

But in 2015, when the Irindini self-help group, of which she was a member, joined the HopeCore Micro Enterprise program, things began to look up for her. She obtained her first loan of Kshs 30,000 that year, which she used to purchase a dairy cow. She received 45,000 when she paid back the loan two years later, which she used to buy her second cow. She began raising pigs on the side with the money she made from selling milk to diversify her income. With the additional revenue from the milking cows, the sale of pigs, and a third cycle loan of 60,000 in 2019, Calmen launched her major enterprise of selling animal feeds. Considering that the area lacked any other businesses of this nature, this was a very clever move. She had to purchase a pickup to deliver the feeds to farmers because the business expanded due to the high demand. She promptly paid her loan, and in 2021, the group enrolled in the 4th cycle loan, with Calmen receiving a Kshs 100,000 loan to start her dream hatchery business. She bought an incubator that can hatch 1000 chicks, which she sells as chicks or rears the rest.

One of the sows with the piglets

Her businesses have grown tremendously over the years; she now has three high-producing grade cows that give her over 30,000 per month; she sells over 40 piglets every three months worth approximately Kshs 120,000 because she has seven sows and two boars. Every three months, she sells chicks worth over Kshs 100,000, and the animal feeds earn her about Kshs 40,000 per month. She has built a modern, spacious home for her family with this much money. She has also installed a biogas digester on her farm, an environmentally friendly and cost-effective energy source for cooking and using waste from her cowshed. Her farm is evergreen, and she grows her food using waste from the biogas plant.

Calmen’s son is in charge of the brooder

Given how many businesses she manages, this journey is remarkable, demonstrating the value of empowering women. She recognizes her accomplishments with HopeCore and is proud of the organization. She is not reluctant to share with the many farmers who come to her farm to buy chicks, piglets, and animal feeds or those who are coming for benchmarking at her amazing farm about her fantastic journey with HopeCore.

A story of not giving up

The mission of Street Business School is to end extreme poverty by empowering a new generation of entrepreneurs through an entrepreneurial training program that instills confidence and hands-on business skills. Coach Risper Kageni is a cheerful, hardworking, and determined young woman who refused to give up on her dreams and stood tall and robust in the face of adversity. In 2021, she learned that Village Hope Core was holding a three-month continuous training on Street Business Training (SBS), to which she and other Community Members were invited. She was able to gain practical experience in entrepreneurship.

Risper having a light moment with HopeCore staff

The first lesson in SBS, "Getting out of your comfort zone," served as her wake-up call. She claims she used to wake up late, was dependent, and was lazy. Nevertheless, after receiving her training, she started working as a casual laborer, earning Kshs 200 daily. In one of the women groups she joined, she set aside Kshs 100 daily. She did this for three months before applying for a Kshs 30,000 loan in the group. She was able to start a hotel business, which is flourishing. After paying all her bills, she makes a daily profit of Kshs 1500–2000. She has also employed two other young people. 

Risper at her cafe

What a turnaround! From having no income, living in poverty, having no property, not being able to pay fees for her children, to making about Kshs 2000 in much less than a year, we did not even need to offer her any funding! Simply training this brilliant and Risper, our hero in 2022!