A Shared Effort, A Common Goal
At Hoist Group, we believe it is important to engage in community development and to contribute as much as possible, which is why we are honored to be supporting Hand in Hand in Njwata and Kinyambu in Kenya.
Since 2013 we have worked closely with Hand in Hand supporting their efforts in India, now it is time to engage in a wider community development in East Africa. Our goal is to aide in the creation of new family-based enterprises leading into a better family income, which will give children a chance of going to school and have three meals a day.
Kenya
A prolonged drought has left 2.7 million people across East Africa at risk of starvation and relying on government and NGO food aid. Kenya was one of the affected countries. Now more than ever before, people like those in the Ngwata and Kinyambu villages need help to earn a stable income and put food on the table without having to consistently rely on aid.
Since the project started July 2017, 14 groups, comprising 321 members (54 men and 267 women) in total have been mobilized. Hand in Hand tends to focus on women more for one simple reason: International research shows that when women earn more, they are more likely than men to spend on their children’s food, housing, health, and education.
Each week members of the groups learn about saving and budgeting, as well as contribute to a shared “group bank” where members can take micro-loans from one another. Group members will also be introduced to enterprise development as well capital creation and credit. Through these classes, the members can take themselves and their families out of poverty.
Hoister of the Year
Every year, within Hoist Group, we recognize a “Hoister of the Year” from each country. The Hoister of the Year is chosen for qualities that make them a good ambassador for the company, as well as a role model to their colleagues. Two of these ambassadors then have the opportunity to travel to the project and meet some of the people partaking in the Community Uplift Program and to learn more about how the work is done. The project is important, not only for the people of Kenya and their future, but also because we believe that solidarity with other people helps us grow as companies and people.
Past Projects
For the past four years we have been honored to be part of Hand in Hand’s India project, which has helped children go to school and women learn entrepreneurial skills as well as financial management and training.