“Before financial literacy training, I spent everything I earned. Now I save through savings and loaning groups, and I can plan for my children’s school fees.”
SANGO-Kenya takes a holistic approach to food security. Being food secure depends on more than the ability to grow, harvest, and consume crops; people must have the economic means to buy foods that they do not raise themselves. They must earn and save money.
Beginning with orientation, farmers learn to maximize their resources: We teach the farmers to use compost to improve harvests; to plant multi-story gardens so they can increase the amount of crops they can grow with the amount of water and land they have; harvest seeds so they can replant after harvesting the crops. In other words, we work with the farmers to maximize all of their resources — and their efforts.
As a result, SANI-Kenya* farmers turn surplus crops into cash because they sell to neighbors and at markets. In addition, they have cash because they no longer buy vegetables. (*SANGO-Kenya is known as SANI-Kenya in Kenya.)
“When we first started SANI-Kenya, we focused on growing and consuming African traditional vegetables. As the farmers continued, their production increased, they began selling surplus and increasing their income. We soon saw the need to provide them training in financial literacy, so they could understand how to manage their money more effectively,” explained Winnie, our Program Officer.
In addition to the training we provide all farmers in financial literacy, we also encourage all of them to form savings and loaning groups. Such groups are very popular in Kenya and other countries in Africa. They provide a structure for the women and men to save money, get loans, and get support in difficult times. Additionally, it is very difficult to open a bank account, much less get a loan. And loan interest rates are high.
We met with a couple of banks to learn more about how they work with women and farmers. One is even known for being very supportive of savings and loaning groups. The loan interest rates were so high — up to 23%!
“Today, I apply budgeting skills to manage even small amounts of income. I consistently save towards my son’s school fees and have greatly reduced my dependence on relatives for support.”
It is no wonder that women here prefer their savings and loaning groups. The groups do collect interest on loans; however, the group determines the rate, often 10%, and very importantly, the loan interest collected is re-distributed to the group at the end of the year.
We recently sat in on a savings and loaning group that a group of first year farmers formed. It was so impressive how far they had already come. Listening to each member talk about what they were doing, it was clear what a significant difference SANI-Kenya is making in the life of each farmer.
The groups are structured with officers and rules. They make records of all of their activities, and work closely with each other to achieve their goals.
Many farmers have told us about the social support they receive from other SANGO-At each meeting, every member contributes a set amount, determined by the group, and the amount is recorded. The group may save the funds for a group project, such as starting a business like catering, or they may choose to distribute at the end of the year, or they may do a combination.
All of these activities help improve the food security — and health and welfare — of the women and their families.
“I have adopted personal savings which has enabled me to meet some household requirements alongside managing emergencies. I therefore thank SANI- Kenya for the knowledge they gave us”.
And we thank you. None of this would be possible without you and your generous support.
Please consider a gift to SANGO-Kenya to help us continue this important work.
Your support is more important now than ever.
Erokamano! Thank you! With much gratitude,
SANGO-Kenya farmers, Winnie, Evance, Peter, Franck, Connie, and Kit
Please like us on Facebook:
SANGO-Kenya
And follow us on Instagram:
SANGOKENYA
Photos: Etan Rozin
www.rozinphotos.com
Write me! I love hearing from you! [email protected]