Blog

The Business mentorship aspect of Vijabiz project has changed many lives, advanced businesses which are today, homes to greater inventions, worthy successes and greater ideas….each passing day.

For individuals, through the knowledge and experiences of impactful mentors, they have leapfrogged the learning process. They have learnt to avoid making the same mistakes and are encouraged to take up even more responsibilities while aiming for higher!

Agrisolve and Henrok 6 Youth Groups:

• These two youth groups, both involved in processing and selling cereal products, were struggling to source and process raw materials, but after acquiring new skills by attending entrepreneurial training and trade shows organised by Vijabiz, the groups have begun to focus on value addition of cereals to make flour and livestock feeds that are in constant demand in the market.
• As a result, the groups have been able to produce a range of products such as Uji Star, Ugali Star, maize germ, wheat bran and dairy meal. Through contract farming and improved marketing, they are creating a trusting and rewarding relationship with both farmers and customers.

Youth groups meet Vijabiz

‘Capacity building is about learning, educating, strengthening and maintaining capabilities. Its about changing mindsets and attitudes; setting and achieving objectives. Most importantly is the essential ingredient that comes at the end of the learning  process-TRANSFORMATION!’

That is what happened to Creative Co-operative Society Youth group based in Molo. The group has demonstrated and proven why and how capacity building, mentorship sessions and learning journeys can lead to tangible results in terms of better and sustainable income.

A market for Bamba’s dairy farmers in Kilifi county: Wazo Jema group’s success story: …

• The Wazo Jema Youth Group started working in the dairy sector with the help of the Vijabiz project with the intention to make an income and to support local dairy farmers. They provide a market for these farmers to sell their milk, which they then process, test and sell.
• Today, as part of its achievements, the group also trains farmers on crossbreeding, milk handling and finding markets for their milk. The success achieved by Wazo Jema serves as motivation and learning ground for other groups and youth in the Coast region.

Supported by the Vijabiz project, ten young members of the Greenthumb Community Based Organisation in Nakuru County set up a valuable fish production and value addition enterprise. The group set up a fish pond and seven operational aquaponics stations where they process and sell the fish. Though smaller in size, the stations are almost four times as productive as traditional fish ponds.

The Kibaokiche Fish Farmers Youth Group, working in the Kaloleni sub-county in Kilifi county, has been farming fish since June 2018.Before joining the Vijabiz project,we lacked the skills and knowledge on fish farming practices needed to run a profitable business. We did not have specific know-how on fish varieties, feeding practices and pond management. We reared poor quality breeds of fish that took time to mature  – it could take up to one year, and the  fish would be irregular sizes-KIBAOKICHE FISH FARMERS YOUTH GROUP.

Kilifi Mwelekeo Fisheries Group and Jiinue VI Smart (JIVIS) in Kilifi  County

These two youth groups are based in Kenya’s coastal Kilifi county. The groups and their members are located in Kibarani ward and Sokoni ward respectively, in Kilifi county. The groups have been in operation since August 2018 with a total combined membership of 35 youths (11 men and 24 women).They decided to venture into the fisheries business with the support of the Vijabiz project. They buy and sell fish, which they add value to by processing. While JIVIS only deals with fish and fish products, Kilifi Mwelekeo handles all types of seafood. Taking part in the Vijabiz project gave them exposure to financial institutions and improved their skills in online marketing. They plan to use this as a starting point to grow even more…

IN March 2017, a group of 12 young people aged between 20 and 35 came together under a a shared vision:’Provide a collaborative platform, pull resources together to raise our economic status’

And with that resolution, the Greenbelt Youth Group was born, in Dundori division, Bahati sub county in Nakuru and so was their business of milk bulking and processing.

INFORMATION Communication Technology (ICT) offers an abundance of benefits to users especially in soci economic aspects, yet much of this potential remains untapped particularly in the case of young men and women who play a fundamental role in agricultural production but also face a triple divide: digital, rural and gender.