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"You brought life into our villages. We decided not to eat this money because even if we are given a million shillings it would eventually be finished. This business gives us life." Malawan Lejale of Ndikir
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This is the only practical program we have seen.
This money was a small amount but it has had a big impact on our community. It has made
us wake up and work
hard and now we are proud of who we are."
Guthaso Guyo of Korr
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Pictured left to right: John Lomurut, Kathleen Colson, Robert Lechipan and Jose Zaglul, President of EARTH University. |
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| The Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) |
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“The walk to town was long, hard and hot. We would go to town to beg for credit. Now the small amount of money we have earned means our kids are not starving and we are very thankful for that. We are not struggling so much. We have small amounts of money to pay for things so our children can live and our old people don’t die and our children can go to school.” |
Furmato Eisimgobanai,
Chairlady of Galgumbe
Women’s group,
Goob Barmin village
June 2008 |
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| The BOMA Fund is the only grassroots development entity in northern Kenya that focuses on rural economic empowerment through a grants-based program of training and mentoring. Our program of economic empowerment, the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP), is led by community residents who serve as Business Mentors that provide business skills training and mentoring to small business groups of 5 people that are established with a seed grant of $150. |
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| REAP is an innovative program of economic empowerment that diversifies sustainable sources of income so that people have enough money to buy food, educate their children and pay for healthcare services. Both replicable and scale-able, REAP was developed in partnership with Village Enterprise Fund, an organization that has 20+ years of experience with a grants-based, micro-enterprise development program in western Kenya and Uganda. |
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| REAP is an investment in a grassroots, small business development program that is cost-effective and locally sustainable. The pillars of the program are: |
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Trained BOMA Business Mentors who are dedicated to helping the communities in which they live and work. Business Mentors receive extensive training with Village Enterprise Fund as well as training in their home villages. |
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Trust groups of 5 people organized around an approved Business Plan. Each member of the group has a role in the implementation of their business plan. |
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Business Skills training programs delivered by the BOMA Business Mentors for all members of the business groups. Classes include recordkeeping, marketing, group dynamics and savings. |
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Seed capital for each business through an initial grant of $100 and after a 3 month Progress Report, a final $50. |
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Ongoing mentoring of the businesses for two years by the trained BOMA Business Mentors. |
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BOMA has launched a range of businesses – small shops, restaurants, a bakery, a camel butchery and dried fish enterprises on Lake Turkana. For each business that is launched, BOMA is able to impact the lives of 5 adults and an average of 25 dependents per business. |
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| In 2009, BOMA launched 225 businesses impacting the lives of 625 adults and 3125 children through the Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP). |
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| For a total investment of $250 per business group of five people, BOMA is able to impact the lives of five adults and 25 children. BOMA plans to launch 200 businesses in 2010. Click here to learn how you can help. |
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AGENTS OF CHANGE
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| A Partnership with EARTH University in Costa Rica |
| The BOMA Fund Agents of Change Program recruits ambitious students from Northern Kenya to attend EARTH University in Costa Rica, a four-year intensive program committed to the education of agricultural and engineering professionals with ethical and human values, an environmental and social consciousness, an entrepreneurial spirit and a commitment to serve others. Graduates are expected to return to northern Kenya as influential and ethical leaders who can improve environmental, economic and social conditions in their communities. BOMA currently has 5 students from Northern Kenya attending EARTH University. |
Developing skills for incomes in sustainable, diversified industries |
| BOMA provides technical skills training scholarships for enterprising students who can become role models in their communities. The scholarships are an investment in the training needed to provide sustainable, diversified sources of income. They include auto and truck mechanics, electricians, plumbers, truck drivers, computer technicians and health workers. |
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