Mombasa Community Development Trust.
Mombasa Community Development Trust is a program that is in partnership with Five Talents Organization, a UK faith based organization. MCDT is a program under the A.C.K DIOCESE OF MOMBASA. The Diocese of Mombasa covers three counties; Mombasa County, Kwale County and parts of Kilifi County. It is a Social Economic Development program, that seeks to provide Urban/Rural Communities with access to financial literacy training, business skills, alongside a safe place to save and borrow.
The main aim is to eradicate extreme poverty within the communities of the Diocese of Mombasa. We aim to support households to grow their business that they depend on thus increasing their income. Our main objective is to have a socially transformed and economically empowered community living dignified lives.
Start Small Grow Big .
The MCDT Staff will be facilitators in the trust groups formed. During the trust group meetings the members of the trust group will be taken through financial literacy trainings, business skills and all other types of trainings that would deem suitable to improve the living standards of the members of the groups.
Members come together to form a Trust group. With the trust they have in each other it brings ownership and they are able to save together in one safe.
Once the members have saved and they have been able to create a pull of savings. They are now able to lend each other loans that are cheap and convenient so as they are able to invest and earn an income which will improve their standards of living.
Through the MCDT staff, the patrons (Vicars) and facilitators we shall be able to give emotional and social support to the groups where needed. This is to ensure that the group members feel loved and cared for. The groups will be safe havens readily willing to offer support to its members.
hrough our stakeholders the group members will get professional advice on investments. This is to help them make the right decisions on the type of businesses and projects that the members would want to start.
The groups will be having sessions of team building. This is to enable them have some fun and quality time when they meet and also break monotony. This will make them motivated and energized. Through this will also be creating a strong bond between the group members.
Mary Mnyazi Mwaringa is a member from A.C.K Pendeza Community Trust Group from Kilifi county. A middle-aged woman with a small kiosk that sold vegetables and local delicacies like 'viazi karai' and 'Chapati and beans'. The burden of high energy costs weighed heavily on her shoulders, eating away at her profits and leaving little room for financial growth.
It was through the Mobilization and sensitization efforts in her parish that Mary learned about the MCDT program that promised not just financial literacy but also skills that would support businesswomen like her. With optimism she hoped that the group will bring her the changed she desired for.
The trust group didn't disappoint. Under the guidance of the MCDT, Mary delved into sessions on financial literacy and environmental conservation. Through these enlightening sessions, she realized the impact of her actions on both her business and the world around her. Learning about the production of improved charcoal not only intrigued Mary but also presented a solution to her energy woes.
With this knowledge, Mary embraced the use of improved charcoal in her kiosk and household. The shift from firewood and LPG gas not only slashed her expenses but also kindled a sense of responsibility towards environmental preservation. With each bag of improved charcoal, Mary felt like she was contributing to a greener, more sustainable future.
Mary found herself with surplus funds that were once swallowed by energy costs. With determination and a prudent mindset, she doubled her savings within the trust group, something she once deemed impossible. Through her consistency in savings, Mary was able to acquire a loan of Ksh. 10,000 which helped her expand her business. Her dream is to one day own a bigger hotel from the kiosk that she currently runs. It is also her hope that through this group and the empowerment skills she acquires she will be able to transform the living standards of her family.
Gladys Chari's an adult learner from ACK Mabamani Center from Kinango Sub-County. Born into a family where education was a luxury they couldn't afford, Gladys spent her formative years tending to the family farm and livestock. Despite her lack of schooling, Gladys harbored a deep desire to learn and grow.
When she first learned about the adult literacy program offered at ACK Mabamani Center, Gladys felt a surge of excitement and determination. She saw this as an opportunity to finally acquire the basic skills of reading, writing, and communication in Swahili and English. With aspirations to improve her small business, she understood the importance of being able to calculate profits and provide accurate change to her customers.
Over the course of a year, Gladys immersed herself in the adult literacy classes with unwavering commitment. Through her dedication and perseverance, she experienced a profound transformation. Today, Gladys radiates joy as she proudly shares her accomplishments.
Her ability to read the Swahili Bible, once an impossible feat, now fills her with immense pride. As her literacy skills improve, Gladys's involvement in church activities has flourished. She confidently leads praise sessions and even reads passages from the Bible, a testament to her newfound confidence and empowerment.
In her business endeavors, Gladys's literacy skills have become invaluable. She can now manage her finances more effectively, accurately calculating profits and providing correct change to her customers. The newfound ability to understand Mpesa messages has simplified financial transactions, eliminating the need for external assistance.
Beyond business, Gladys's literacy skills have enhanced her overall quality of life. She can now write her name, recite her phone number, and even articulate her ID number—a source of immense pride and independence. With her newfound confidence, Gladys feels empowered to engage more actively in her community, free from the constraints of illiteracy.
Mwaka Maradi, a member of ACK Malomani Community Development group, embodies the strength and determination of a mother striving to provide for her family against all odds.
As a married woman with five children, Mwaka's journey has been fraught with difficulties. Her husband's alcoholism and lack of support have left her solely responsible for the welfare of their family. Forced to seek sustenance outside the home, Mwaka tirelessly searched for food and sought employment to ensure her children's basic needs were met. However, the burden of providing for her family alone proved overwhelming, and she struggled to afford education for all her children.
Despite the challenges she faced, Mwaka refused to succumb to despair. Her affiliation with ACK Malomani parish led her to discover the MCDT program, which she saw as a beacon of hope for her independent journey. Driven by her determination, Mwaka eagerly joined the savings group, recognizing it as a pivotal opportunity to transform her circumstances.
Through the guidance and training provided by the MCDT office, Mwaka learned to harness locally available resources to empower herself economically. Armed with newfound knowledge and determination, she identified a viable business opportunity and secured a loan from the group to kick-start her venture.
Mwaka's entrepreneurial spirit manifested in her establishment of a small business selling fried potatoes, locally known as 'viazi karai,' in her local market. This endeavor not only provided a source of income but also ensured her children received a basic meal every day—a stark contrast to the days when hunger loomed over their household.
While Mwaka has yet to fulfill her dream of sending all her children to school, her growing business fills her with hope for the future. With each passing day, she strives to expand her enterprise, knowing that its growth holds the key to securing her children's education.
Saumu Nyamawi, a member of ACK MGOMBEZI GROUP in Lungalunga, Kwale county. Born into a Muslim family, Saumu actively engages in community activities. Saumu was once in a Village Savings and Loaning Association (VSLA). With the support of this community group, she ventured into poultry farming, laying the groundwork for a promising future. However, her dreams were shattered when the VSLA succumbed to fraud, leaving members like Saumu devastated and their projects in ruins.
Saumu remained determined to pursue her aspirations. Her proactive involvement in community affairs led her to learn about the MCDT program through the local parish vicar. Intrigued by the prospect of joining a community group once again, Saumu eagerly embraced the opportunity.
When the MCDT staff introduced the structure and accountability measures of the group, Saumu found renewed hope. She became one of the first members to join, demonstrating unwavering commitment to saving and rebuilding her poultry farming business. Taking her first loan of Ksh 5000, Saumu navigated the path of financial independence with prudence and diligence. She repaid the loan seamlessly, paving the way for subsequent loans to expand her business. From raising chickens to now tending to ducks, Saumu's enterprise has flourished, reflecting her resilience and determination.
Saumu's aspirations extend beyond mere financial stability; she envisions a future where she can provide for her family independently. Through the guidance and support of the MCDT office, she is equipped with the knowledge and skills to make informed investment decisions.
Empowered by the trainings she has received, Saumu's perspective has shifted towards growth and sustainability. She remains steadfast in her pursuit of stability, driven by the desire to secure a better future for her children.
The Kenya Anglican men’s Association traces its roots from the Mother’s Union operations. Retired Archbishop Manasses Kuria was so impressed by the work of the Mothers’ Union that he felt it right to start what was formerly referred to as the Fathers’ Union. The union first started in the same parish where the first pioneer Mothers’ Union members had been enrolled, namely Mwongoiya in Anglican Diocese of Mount Kenya South. It has over the years grown and spread to all the ACK Dioceses across the Country, becoming part and parcel of the Church ministry....
The Kenya Anglican men’s Association traces its roots from the Mother’s Union operations. Retired Archbishop Manasses Kuria was so impressed by the work of the Mothers’ Union that he felt it right to start what was formerly referred to as the Fathers’ Union. The union first started in the same parish where the first pioneer Mothers’ Union members had been enrolled, namely Mwongoiya in Anglican Diocese of Mount Kenya South. It has over the years grown and spread to all the ACK Dioceses across the Country, becoming part and parcel of the Church ministry....
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