The participants were eager to learn and appreciated the fact that the trainers, Millicent and Ericah, could hold the sessions in Kiswahili. Any technical English words used by chance were translated. Since so many of the concepts and subjects discussed in the workshop were new to the participants, it seemed the best way to help facilitate their understanding by holding the workshop in Kiswahili. This made it easy for participants to ask questions all the time and to allow lively group discussions during the workshop.

The amount of topics talked about was very many (see above-mentioned list). The participants were very diligent and motivated, and we were able to complete the amount of material we set out to do. Actually, it was an interesting session and there were no difficulties in delivering the materials home to the participants. We had thought that all the new concepts might overwhelm the participants. This was not the case. In fact, we had a very late lunch, not because the meal was not made ready on time, but because the participants kept on insisting that we continue with the lessons. They did not want any interruptions. Finally, Rev. Wasike went up and announced that he was going to teach the next topic “How to go about the business of eating lunch”, which made everyone laugh and agree that it was time to take a break.

We designed the lessons so that we were not only lecturing, since we thought it could be boring for the participants. Instead, we gave short lectures and asked them to make brief notes on what they were learning, and then we involved them in group discussions and practical exercises and calculations in between. This seemed to work very well.

Since there were so many participants in the course (over 20 persons), it would be better to hold two trainings over two days next time.

Feedback:
• Trainees send their heartfelt greetings to Lia and well-wishers who enabled the training and phones.
• Available Youth and Men felt neglected hence requested the trainers to send the word to Lia.
• The women requested for more support to enable business diversification to enable them to be empowered further.
• In the weeks proceeding the workshop, many other women, even some physically not known to Rev. Wasike, are ever calling asking when is the next training is going to be done so that they participate to get knowledge about business.

Three weeks ago Rev Wasike, Millicent Aswata, Ericah Kiptoo traveled from Nairobi to Kimilili to give the CBSM women’s co-op their first business training workshop. The workshop took place on May 16th, 2009 at the CBSM School from 8 am to 5 pm.

The purpose of the training was to empower targeted women with knowledge that could help them run the Village Phone Salon businesses profitably and be self-reliant in business environment. Also, the training needed to instruct them about how to keep records properly, so that they could know in the future if they are making profit or loss and what actions needs to be taken in case of either. Women were also trained on how to manage borrowed mirco-finances (loans) and repayments among others.

In order to achieve the above, the business practice training was designed specifically to meet the needs of the local available challenges in business environment.

Training Topics

1.    Introduction
2.    Factors considered in choosing a Business
3.    Basic Business Management Skills
4.    Business Communication Skills
5.    Time Management Skills
6.    Leadership Skills
7.    Marketing and Customer Care
8.    Setting SMART Objectives and Goals for VPS
9.    SWOT Analysis of VPS Business
10.    Business or Product Diversification available within Kimilili area
11.    Training on Phone Operations
12.    Handing and maintenance of the phones

Methods of Training

Instructional presentation of theories
Group discussions
Participatory class
Illustration of practical examples
Group asking specific questions

In the next post, I will mention how the day progressed.

By Rev. Wasike and Lia

Twenty women in CBSM community had the excitement of participating in their first business management workshop two weeks ago.

Ericah and Millicent in Nairobi, planned and organised the training session. We will write more about the event in the next days.

By Rev. Wasike and Lia

We have thankfully received a second micro-loan from a private lender. With this money another women co-op group will be able to open up their own VPS.

Our business team in Nairobi (hats off to Millicent and Ericah) are in the process of making up the training material for our first Village Phone Salon Business Training Workshop. If all goes well, this workshop will take place in the next week or so. After which, the two Village Phone Salons will start their business.

Our goal is to make the workshop learning material available to the other members of this site. Together we can fundamentally profit from sharing such material, as well as our experiences. I know that Rev. Teh's help in doing market research helped us tremendously. Without his group's willingness to take the first steps towards accomplishing such a new form of study, our own market research would not have been easy to accomplish at all.

The Kimilili Village Phone Salon women’s co-op received a private micro-loan from an anonymous donator to start up our first Village Phone Salon. The donor has indicated that if the first VPS is successful and if our business and marketing practices are transparent, he would be willing to make another loan or two. So, we are setting up a business structure and practices that make it transparent to everyone that we are capable of creating future successful business ventures.

This donator’s terms of loan are generous (only 5% interest on the loan compared to the micro-financing agency’s 16-18%), but also follow along the same guidelines as normal micro-financing agency for the women’s co-op.

Hereby follows the conditions and terms and business practices of the first Kimilili VPS:

The Kimilili VPS women’s co-op consist of a team in Kimilili and one in Nairobi.

In Kimilili, the women’s co-op consists of active members (Margret Mafuta, Janerose Kuya) who run the business day-to-day and silent members. Margret Biketi, Teresia Musyoka Mwikali, silent members, act as guarantors on the loan, as well as give Margret and Janerose moral support, advice and supervise the flow of income and expenditures.

The Kimilili women’s co-op has weekly meetings to discuss the week’s business and to repay the weekly loan payment. Each contributes some shares for the repayment of loan.

It is the mission of the active members to pay the 263 KES in full through the profits of the VPS business. If they are not able to do this, they must find other means to pay the loan or the silent members have to make up the difference.

The women’s co-op will receive training on best business practices that include many subjects from loan and repayment guidelines, marketing and sales practices, to sources of income and expenditure, and bookkeeping practices. This training will be defined and carried through by the Nairobi supervisory team or a hired expert.

In Nairobi, the supervisory and marketing team consists of Rev. Wasike , Millicent Aswata, Ericah Kiptoo, Enock Wanaswa, and Edward Makona. Together they will build up and train the women’s co-op in best business practices, planning the opening ceremony for the VPS business, working on marketing concepts, and supervising the bookkeeping responsibilities.

The Loan

The weekly loan payment is 263 KES. The loan (12,025 KES (150 USD)) will be paid back with 5% interest minimum one day, maximum 12 months of receiving the loan.

Expected VPS Income and Expenditure

A detailed outline of the estimated expenditures and costs has been calculated. For the 12 month duration it takes to pay back the loan, the VPS must sell a minimum of 10 minutes of phone services per day (25 work days in a month) and 260 scratch cards (total 7,360 KES (net)) per month in order for the business profit to cover costs and loan repayment.

The VPS must sell more phone minutes and scratch cards than that mentioned above for the Phone Ladies to make an income for themselves and their families within the first year. Therefore, special events will be undertaken to increase the number of customers and raise funds to pay off the loan promptly.

This last month has been a very trailing month. We had to suddenly relocate and build temporary school facilities for our 250 children. Nevertheless, we are still highly involved in our VPS project. Our group, or VPS women’s co-op includes the following women:

1. Mrs. Margaret B. - head teacher of the CBSM academy
2. Mrs. Margaret N. - retired co-operative officer
3. Mrs Janerose W. - farmer
4. Mrs Teresia N. –businesswoman

We are presently studying at all of Jinkfuin VPS market results and seeing how they can help us to do our market research.

Hello, my name is Rev. Wasike. I am the organiser of the Community Breakthrough Support Mission (CBSM) in Kimilili, Kenya. Daniel and I are working together with a group of ladies in Kimilili to set up a Village Phone Salon.

As a matter of fact, tomorrow is our first meeting with the women. If all goes well, we will be posting a group photo and telling you a little about the women in our VPS co-op.

We are very happy to have you here and we welcome any comments and pieces of advice.