The Lewa Wildlife Conservancy’s Women Microenterprise Programme (WME), launched in 2001, has become a transformative force for women in rural communities. With its first loan granted in 2003, the programme has experienced significant growth, largely due to the substantial support from the Women’s Microfinance Initiative, a US-based non-profit dedicated to promoting financial inclusion for rural women in East Africa.
Today, the programme supports over 2,000 women, organized into table banking groups across surrounding communities. These groups enable participants to access affordable, collateral-free loans that are used to launch new ventures or expand their current businesses.
The impact of this empowerment extends beyond personal success, as these women play a crucial role in driving economic growth in their communities and also allows women to reinvest in their families through education.
In addition to loans, the programme offers essential training, mentorship, adult literacy programmess, and health screenings, equipping participants with the tools they need to thrive.
“They have lifted us. They gave us money which boosts us in farming and educating our children. We women have learned to form women’s groups, and working for ourselves really helps us,” shared members of the Mutunyi Women’s group during a focus group discussion.
In the nearby Ntirimiti community, the impact is similarly profound. “Now we are far better off, and some of us even have improved cows. We can pay school fees and access medical care, which we could not afford before,” remarked the women from Ntirimiti.
The ripple effect of this programme is undeniable. With access to financial support and essential resources, these women not only meet their families’ needs but also contribute to the resilience and prosperity of their entire communities.
