Everyday We are Planting New Dreams

Clarice Adhiambo was a beggar in the streets for 15 years before joining Jamiii Bora. She was one of the original 50 members. She started her first steps out of the streets with a loan of only 1500 KES (US$ 22) With this she started a business in the Koma Rock neighborhood frying fish and chips to sell to workers who needed an inexpensive lunch. She would fry two or three fish and sell them in small pieces to her hungry customers. Her daily income was no more than what she could get as a beggar, but she was working for herself and proud of it. By using her loan she had gained her dignity and self-confidence. Clarice’s business grew step by step and she was soon able to take bigger and bigger loans.

 

Today Clarice has a wholesale business selling fish in Gikomba market to many shops, hotels and restaurants and to the small vendors in town. Clarice also has a restaurant serving fish dishes. She has also become a landlord, renting out market stalls to small shops in the Soweto slum. She has brought herself from being a beggar on the streets to being what she considers a rich woman. What's more, she has inspired hundreds of desperate people to join Jamii Bora and get out of poverty.