Starting in the bustling capital Nairobi, I first noticed the sheer amount of construction being done throughout the city. Economic growth is extremely evident, and the Kenyan government undoubtedly understands the need to embrace globalisation through its invaluable gateway, Jomo Kenyatta International. The makeshift marquee airport was an incredible display of efficiency and showed a true desire to compete with global superpowers and their advanced transportation systems.
Taking a tiny cramped mini-bus, we passed what can only be described as a generation of desperation. Unbelievable numbers of Kenyan’s sat or lay on the side of the road, waiting for something to happen. Boredom is probably an understatement, as the realisation of widespread unemployment hit me. Shanty towns filled fields in the distance, painted with corporate logos displaying the products they struggle to afford. Pop-up vendors are common, however all selling the exact same goods. My impression of Kenya at this point is that it has a great entrepreneurial culture, but one which lacks innovation.
Moving away from civilisation, the sun beamed over vast dessert spotlighting breath-taking views. Large vulture-like beasts perched in the trees watching over the cars as if they were mice, while magnificent zebras grazed beside us and camels rode into the distance. The only people we saw were farming families, working tirelessly in East Africa’s unforgiving climate. A good work-ethic is something the Kenyan’s definitely do not lack.
Finally arriving in the town of Nakuru, a population of 300,000 and a growth rate of 10%, I took a wonder around with Luke and some of the other fellows. A ‘get up and go’ attitude filled the air, with everyone hustling to make some cash. The markets were packed with stalls and people, while food vendors lined the streets. I wondered if the UK could ever be like this, if the welfare state was to disappear. When people have no other choice, desperation can turn into greatness.
Project Sponsor:
Project Facilitator:
About:
With 1.2 billion people on this planet surviving on around $1 a day, global poverty is a major issue which needs to be tackled.
President Barack Obama once said "Progress in the most impoverished parts of our world enriches us all". He is right.
One solution to the problem of poverty, which often goes unmentioned, is entrepreneurship.
85% of global poverty is now concentrated in 10 countries, one of those being Kenya. This summer 2013, we are travelling to Nakuru, a town 3 hours north of Nairobi, to teach entrepreneurship to the locals.
Defeating cultural barriers, we are focusing on teaching and encouraging the skills required for spotting business opportunities. Becoming mentors, we are also helping and advising numerous businesses. At the end of the 6 week trip, investments in the form of 10% loans will be made to the most viable enterprises.
Transforming subsistence income into consistent income means families are nourished and children are educated. The benefits of entrepreneurship in communities is plentiful; and with less poverty, more jobs, and greater growth, we all benefit.
- Luke Mallard
- James Holden
President Barack Obama once said "Progress in the most impoverished parts of our world enriches us all". He is right.
One solution to the problem of poverty, which often goes unmentioned, is entrepreneurship.
85% of global poverty is now concentrated in 10 countries, one of those being Kenya. This summer 2013, we are travelling to Nakuru, a town 3 hours north of Nairobi, to teach entrepreneurship to the locals.
Defeating cultural barriers, we are focusing on teaching and encouraging the skills required for spotting business opportunities. Becoming mentors, we are also helping and advising numerous businesses. At the end of the 6 week trip, investments in the form of 10% loans will be made to the most viable enterprises.
Transforming subsistence income into consistent income means families are nourished and children are educated. The benefits of entrepreneurship in communities is plentiful; and with less poverty, more jobs, and greater growth, we all benefit.
- Luke Mallard
- James Holden
2 comments
innovation can also be micro - some of my conversations with the jua kali street sellers suggest this - so would be interesting to see as you look at whether you can see some micro innovations - like the use of mpesa to transfer production materials from the highlands on to the matatus and then to the jua kali areas.
Hi Diane! Thanks for commenting on our blog! I agree that innovation can also be micro, and this is mostly what is happening in Nakuru.
As part of the work Luke and I are doing here, we teach 8 entrepreneurship classes per week to locals for free. One of our sessions focuses on business innovation, and we place emphasis on the fact that 95% of innovation is only small and this is perfectly fine. Very few businesses innovate to create something completely new, like mPesa did.
Each day we are getting to know local Kenyan entrepreneurs better, and we're certainly hearing about some incredible creativity, no matter how small-scale. I'm sure you'll be seeing some blog posts with some great case-studies over the next few weeks.
Post a Comment