20/21 International Project

Reunited Families

“A remarkable success!” was the reaction of Alan Mutter, Dunfermline Rotary President, on completion of the Club’s latest international project.

Explaining the background to this project, Alan said that “Many children in orphanages in Kenya are there because their families were living in extreme poverty and couldn’t afford to keep them. This project reunited those families with their children and tackled the problem of supporting themselves financially by helping them to set up small businesses.”

A programme was developed by the UK-based charity, Raising Futures Kenya, whereby training in basic business skills and financial management was given by their Programme Manager in Kenya supported by Kenya Women Microfinance  Bank which also provided small loans where required. Additional support was available from a member of the Lang’ata Rotary Club in Nairobi who had particular experience in setting up small businesses.

Dunfermline Rotary’s project covered the training costs for 13 families living in and around Nairobi and five of these families were helped with start-up grants of around £200 each.

The cost of this project was £2,632, the Dunfermline Club’s contribution was £1,316 and Rotary’s main charity, The Rotary Foundation, provided the other £1,316. Raising Futures Kenya also met the cost of the children’s school fees during the period of training and whilst the businesses were being established.

“What surprised me” said President Alan” is the variety of the new business start-ups which included growing cereals, fruit & vegetable trading, fish vending, household utensil shop, general store, buying and selling second hand clothing, beadwork, a hairdressing salon, selling coffee & cakes ... the list goes on”.

Alan went on to say “This project has meant that some 30-35 children are no longer in orphanages and are reunited with their families which are now able to support themselves financially – a great outcome.”

 [Note for Editors – we have included case studies for 4 of those families for use where space permits. More studies are available if required]

Reunited Families Project – 4 case studies

1. Linda is a mother of four. She has set up a small salon and sells salon and beauty products. From her profits she has bought a barber machine and now her salon doubles up as a barber shop. Ever the entrepreneur, she also sells baby second hand clothes from her premises. She now earns enough to support her family and is confident that she’ll be able to pay all of her children’s school fees.

2. Pricillah, her son Elijah and grandchildren are showing the beaded products Pricillah has been able to make and sell thank to the start-up grant enabling her to buy the materials to get started. The children are excited about being back at school.

3. Catherin is a single mother of four. Previously, she had been surviving on casual jobs where she was never sure if she’s earn enough to buy food. Since the training and start-up grant she has set up her shop in Nairobi where she sells second hand house curtains. She is now able to provide for her children and says she is always sure of the next meal.

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4. Mary, grandmother and guardian to John, is now rearing chickens to sell eggs and to supplement their own food supply. From the profits she has been able to plant additional crops in her small farm which she will benefit from later in the year.