Through Jikimu Kimaisha, BVI empowers women in poverty with hands-on training, mentorship, and financial access—turning small microbusinesses into engines of community growth and resilience.
Cultivating Entrepreneurs. Transforming Communities
Mentorship
At a
Glance
Street Business School (SBS) curriculum powering localized, confidence-building training
Focus on women from underprivileged backgrounds across Embakasi East, Dagoreti North, and Machakos
Partnership with Faulu Kenya for microfinance and credit access
Goal: Reach 3,000+ individuals by 2026
Program
Overview
At Beyond the Vision Initiative (BVI), we see a direct link between economic empowerment and the eradication of generational poverty. Jikimu Kimaisha (a Swahili phrase signaling self-reliance and sustainable livelihood) targets women and families in informal settlements who struggle with unstable incomes and limited economic opportunities. By equipping them with core business skills and microfinance support, we foster self-sufficient entrepreneurs who can lift entire communities.
Entrepreneurship as a Path to Prosperity
Poverty often forces families into short-term survival mode, lacking the tools to grow sustainable ventures. Jikimu Kimaisha breaks this cycle by teaching participants practical ways to start, manage, and scale small businesses, while instilling confidence and leadership skills crucial for long-term success.
Objectives
- Provide Practical Business Training
Use SBS-developed curricula to equip participants with money management, record-keeping, and pricing strategies. - Build Confidence & Self-Efficacy
Embed mindset-shifting modules that help women recognize their capability to run successful enterprises. - Facilitate Microfinance Access
Partner with Faulu Kenya to offer affordable loans and financial management guidance for those lacking traditional collateral. - Encourage Community-Owned Growth
Support group savings schemes, peer mentoring, and local networks to ensure that success stories spark wider economic development. - Monitor & Expand Reach
Grow from current participants to 3,000+ by 2026, tracking measurable improvements in household income and stability.
Activities & Implementation Approach
Street Business School Curriculum
Jikimu Kimaisha leverages a globally recognized curriculum from Street Business School, modified for local contexts. Training sessions cover essential topics—like identifying profitable markets, controlling expenses, and maintaining healthy cash flow.
Partnering with Faulu Kenya
Through Faulu Kenya, participants gain microfinance opportunities otherwise unavailable to low-income earners. This synergy grants them startup capital, fosters responsible borrowing, and incorporates ongoing financial coaching.
Group Workshops & Peer Support
Regular workshops and peer-learning circles let participants share experiences, celebrate small wins, and tackle common business hurdles. This community approach also reinforces accountability.
Success Tracking & Feedback
Each cohort is monitored for income growth, business expansion, and personal development. Jikimu Kimaisha collects ongoing feedback, refining training based on real-world challenges participants face.
Growing
Reach
- Improved Earnings: Many participants report daily incomes rising from below $2 to $7+, thanks to better bookkeeping and product diversification.
- Higher Savings Rates: Trained entrepreneurs can consistently set aside part of their profits, stabilizing family finances.
- Greater Community Influence: As women’s businesses flourish, they often reinvest in local needs—fueling further development.
“Before joining Jikimu Kimaisha, I had no clear record of my shop’s expenses. Now, I’ve expanded into selling milk and onions, earning $7 a day. This program truly opened my eyes to saving and reinvesting in my business.”
“Miliah,” Jikimu Kimaisha Participant
Our Partners
- Beyond Vision Foundation: Strategic oversight and additional resource mobilization
- Faulu Kenya: Microfinance partner offering loans and financial mentoring
- Street Business School (SBS): Core curricula and ongoing training support
These alliances ensure a well-rounded program that addresses both skills training and financial access, two pillars of lasting economic empowerment.
Future
Plans
- Scaling Geographic Reach: Add new training centers in under-served counties, including rural regions.
- Enhanced Digital Tools: Introduce mobile finance apps and online training modules to ease business management for participants.
- Networking Events: Organize trade fairs where local entrepreneurs can showcase products, learn from each other, and connect with larger markets.
- 3,000 Participant Target: By 2026, significantly expand the program’s capacity to transform livelihoods across Kenya.
Needs
(Funding & Support)
To grow Jikimu Kimaisha and sustain current programs, BVI seeks:
- Financial Investments for program materials, coach training, and micro-loan guarantees
- Business Tools & Equipment (e.g., sewing machines, mobile point-of-sale devices) for hands-on workshops
- Volunteer Trainers with expertise in finance, marketing, or small-business coaching
- Corporate Partnerships offering distribution networks, technology platforms, or mentorship opportunities
Your involvement fuels entrepreneurial ambition and nurtures family livelihoods where stable jobs are scarce.
Through Jikimu Kimaisha, BVI unlocks the power of small businesses to spark big change—one entrepreneur, one family, and one community at a time.