Village Enterprise Fund Entrepreneurs

Our Entrepreneurs

We’re pleased to introduce you to a few of the people whose participation in our program resulted in a new business, a new standard of living and hope for the future. Click on any photo to view a larger image.

Five women from Soroti, Uganda founded the Abilayep Women Agricultural Farmers Association (AWAFA) with the intent of improving their farming technique on an existing orange orchard. With training, a VEF grant and guidance from mentor Henry Oyo, the women gained access to better seeds and learned how to market their produce. After a successful start-up phase, AWAFA received a VEF Empowerment Grant to expand their product line (e.g., egg production.) Today, the group has 25 members (20 women, 5 men) and has spun off six additional small businesses. They’ve placed their profits into a revolving savings and credit fund from which members borrow to expand their individual enterprises. The members of AWAFA have been recognized by the Ugandan government as Farmer Motivators.

VEF business leader Moses Lihemo and his Rosterman Farm group used the VEF program to design and build their own vegetable dehydration technology. Due to a lack of refrigeration, much of Kenya’s produce goes to waste. Dehydration increases shelf-life and supports cross-country distribution. Rosterman Farm has been providing high quality dehydrated vegetables in Western Kenya for nearly two years – including mushrooms grown in their extensive mushroom shed. Their packaged goods have been tested and approved by the Kenyan government, and they were given a high quality rating by the local university. Their plans call for product branding, establishing distribution to reach Nairobi and expanding their Kakamega operations.

The Samaria Baskets group started a fireless cooker business earlier this year under the tutelage of mentor Churchill Ambaisi. The cooker is a fabric, paper and straw basket into which a pre-heated cooking pot is placed. This insulated basket retains heat and allows the dish to cook to completion. The savings in cooking fuel are substantial. The cooker is also an ideal match for a culture that values hospitality. It keeps food warm for several hours to accommodate late-arriving family members. Their business is very profitable, and the market potential is quite large.

The Iron Smith Group of Mpunguzi, Tanzania buys used auto springs, heats the metal and then fashions the pieces into knives and farm tools. The ten business owners learned this skill from their fathers. They share in the work of making tools as well as participating in village auctions where they sell their wares. With the profits, they have increased their food consumption, improved their wardrobes and paid for school fees and uniforms for their children. One owner built a new house, and another is following close behind. One other owner proudly displays his newest possession: a used radio.

The Liaro business group turned a dangerous river crossing into a business opportunity. Their village community near Kakamega, Kenya suffered losses to the Isiukhu River - a large, fast moving, unavoidable waterway. Bridges are few and far between. On receiving business training and the first installment of their VEF grant, the group made a down payment on a boat with provisions to pay the balance with earnings. They hired a boat driver to ferry goods and people across the Isiukhu. After boat payments and wages, they are left with enough profit to clothe, feed and educate their children.

The Umagani Group of Mpuguzi, Tanzania had their hearts set on growing grapes, a highly profitable but water-intensive crop. With the able assistance of village business mentor Cassian Chiwaulla and the acquisition of a KickStart water irrigation pump, the group realized their dream. In 2008, they plan to bring another 3.5 acres of land into cultivation. They’ll also diversify their crops to include tomatoes and green vegetables.