Everyday We are Planting New Dreams

Kitana Gona Kizuka lives in the tranquil village of Utange in Kisauni near Mombasa. Like many of the Giriama tribe that live, he is a farmer and keeps cows. He joined Jamii Bora in 2002 at a time when he desperately needed to increase his income. Since his brother had died, his family responsibilities had doubled and his income was not enough to feed his large family.

 

His first loan was 10,000 Shillings and the last loan was 50,000 Shillings. He has now borrowed five times. He has been able to acquire 4 high-grade cows that give him a lot of milk and good income. Before he joined Jamii Bora he had only had traditional cows that give very little milk. By crossing the new cows with the traditional breed he has now raised 25 high production dairy cows. With his second loan he purchased a water spout from which he now sells water to his neighbors.

 

Now, all his children, nieces and nephews are in school or vocational training. Katana was the first member to get a Daraja loan from the Mombasa branch. In the future he would like to take a loan out to buy a cow shed for his herd. He is so excited over his new fortune that he has introduced more than 50 new members to Jamii Bora Trust. He says that Jamii Bora has allowed him to "see the light" at the end of the tunnel.