Joy as 13 Thika slum groups benefit from Sh1.6m Uwezo Fund donation
Vulnerable groups from informal settlements in Thika have a reason to smile after receiving money from Uwezo Fund to expand their businesses.
Thirteen groups consisting of the visually and hearing impaired persons, most of who live in Kiandutu slums, could not hide their joy after being awarded cheques worth Sh1.65 million from the constituency’s Uwezo Fund kitty on Friday.
Tuvumiliane Self-help Group of the Visually Impaired chairperson Jacinta Syombua said the members will use the Sh100,000 they received to expand their start-up.
The 20-member group rears goats for sale and has around 40. They plan to buy more goats and open a butchery.
“Poverty in the slums is high, and given our condition, we have been able to make ends meet through selling goats. With the Uwezo funds, we shall be buying goats for sale, and save the proceeds,” said Syombua.
A group with hearing challenges and which rears pigs also received Sh100,000 to towards their business.
Kiandutu Centre Base, another beneficiary, had purchased a two-acre piece of land worth Sh1.6 million at Kakuzi area in Muranga county.
Chairperson Pauline Wanjiru said the Sh200,000 Uwezo support would be used to offset the balance so that they can sub-divide the land for private investments.
The groups lauded the government’s empowerment efforts, saying it has created self-reliance and enabled wealth creation.
“This is a big boost. We, however, call for the funds to be increased so that more groups can benefit from huge amounts to change lives,” said Wanjiru.
Thika MP Patrick Wainaina, who presented the cheques, said only groups whose projects are aligned to the government’s Big Four agenda have benefited from the funds.
He, however, said he will continue to rally the government to release more funds to benefit more groups in the country.
Before disbursement of the loans, the participants underwent rigorous training on financial management, value addition and on Uwezo Fund policies and procedures. -KNA
