Through our international lending vertical, we partner with the Marianists to provide microloans to individuals who have graduated from IMANI's vocational training program in Kenya.
The microloans are funded from a donor-based fund at the University of Dayton, and they help IMANI graduates launch fruitful businesses, ranging from hair salons to welding.
About IMANI
Located in Nairobi, Kenya, IMANI (Incentive from the Marianists to Assist the Needy to be Independent) serves about 350 women and youth per year. The program offers a variety of training courses, helping graduates gain trade skills needed for employment.
Success Stories
Mary operates a school uniform business at Gikomba market in Nairobi. Her loan was just over $1,600, including interest. She used one part to stock up for the peak school uniform sales in January and the other part to open another stall at the same market. From the two sales outlets, Mary recorded very high sales in January and February. From her profits, she managed to purchase two heavy-duty sewing machines. Mary also created jobs for three more people so that she could more effectively handle running both stalls. She has witnessed her business’ impressive growth help support her family and her employees better in several ways.
Teresa has a knitting and dressmaking business that specializes in school uniforms, operating near the Nairobi Central business district. She used her $1,800 loan to boost her stock in materials prior to the start of school. Within the first month, she was able to repay the loan! Additionally, she was able to stock up for the next peak season and even hire two more staff members to continue expansion of her business.