Hellen Chepkoech is an entrepreneur on a mission. She has her eyes trained in agri-business.
She exudes confidence that Necco Fosa, her Sacco, will offer her the assistance to actualize her dreams.
She has had what she terms as a winning walk with the Sacco since 2010 when she and others in Kipkosin women group joined it.
“When we joined the Sacco as a group we had a lot of expectations I thank God many of us in the group have made big strides in their financial growth. There are no frustrations at Necco Fosa,” she says.
Hellen’s dreams are now a reality. She has increased the number of livestock. From a buyer of milk, she sells over 14 litres of milk every day. Local butchers in Umande location, Laikipia County also like her sheep and goats which they buy regularly.
Her family’s standards of living have improved greatly. But all these owe to her shrewdness in managing finances and the purpose to offer her family a decent living.
Her Sacco, she asserts, has been all along with her. “I have been able to get cheap credit from my Sacco with better repayment terms and this has enabled me better my agri-business,” says the married mother of five.
She got her first loan in 2010 of Kshs.10, 000 which she used to connect piped water to his home all in preparations for expanding her farming.
In 2011 she took her second loan of Ksh.30, 000 that she used to construct a cowshed because her animals were insecure in the open. She had lost a number of them. In addition, she bought more goats.
A determined Hellen took her third loan in 2012 of Ksh. 50, 000 which she used to increase her herd of cows and goats.
“When you take a loan and you are able to repay, it gives one courage to go for more all you need is to make prudent decisions,” she says adding, “I have seen many more benefit, especially from our group. There is nothing good like to have a bank that understands you.”
In 2013 she was able to renovate and improve her kitchen and her son’s house which were in a wanting state thanks to a loan from her Sacco. Besides she has put up a modern shelter for her family. In 2014 she was loaned Ksh 70, 000 by her Sacco.
Hellen also runs a shop in Timau shopping center and through the loan, she has been able to boost the business stock.
“I have a son in the University of Nairobi and were it not for the Sacco’s support paying fees would have been a bit hard for my family,” says Hellen.
Hellen is on a mission to undertake a project that will cost her Ksh 200,000 soon. “I am confident the bank will accord me assistance,” she says confidently.
Like Hellen’s women group members of Nturukuma Dairy Farmers society can afford a broad smile on their faces. Their society has bettered their living standards through the help of Necco Fosa Sacco.
The society opened an account at the Sacco when it was newly formed in 2012. It has grown into a big society through the funds they have borrowed.
The society used its first loan to purchase a tuk-tuk to transport their milk from members’ homes to KCC. The progress conscious society further borrowed more funds to put their offices and shop outlet to start a milk bar where they sell fresh milk.
Having grown the society is now in the process of purchasing a cooler machine and a bigger vehicle to increase milk collection.
Jackson Kanyugo, the chairman of Nturukima dairy society, says the society has recorded high growth. “The Sacco has been a reliable partner to us,” he says.
But as the society has been on growth, Kanyugo personally has also been able to expand his farming. In his farm, he has dairy cows which produce an average of 15 litres per day. He is also undertaking poultry farming with over 400 hundred chicks.
“I have bigger plans and I believe soon I will achieve them both for the Nturukima dairy society and my farming,” he says.
“Co-operatives are great vehicles on way out of poverty,” he says. “We are glad that the Laikipia county government is serious on sectors welfare.”
