Jamii Bora, the largest and fastest growing microfinance institution (MFI) in Kenya was founded by Ingrid Munro, a Swedish lady. Established in 1999 with an initial group of fifty (50) beggars from the slums of Nairobi, the capital of Kenya. Jamii Bora is now serving about 170,000 members.

As background information about Kenya: Kenya (also known as Republic of Kenya) is a country in Africa with a population of 32 million with about six (6) million households. In 1998, Kenya experienced the worst floods in its history causing widespread hunger, illness, loss of livestock and damage to major roads. There is prevalence of HIV/AIDS infection in Kenya – reaching epidemic proportion. Kenya’s fertility rate is estimated at eight (8) children per woman. This is among the highest fertility rate in the world. The Kenyan economy has grown more slowly than any other economy in Africa. According to a poverty survey, 47% and 29% of the rural and urban areas are “absolutely” poor. No wonder development assistance to Kenya by different associations, both government and private from different countries is imperative for its survival. This is the reason why the activities of microfinance institutions in Kenya is crucial to the improvement of the quality of life of the Kenyans. In 2007, Kenya passed its “Microfinance Bill” in cooperation with the Association for Microfinance Institutions (AMFI) to regulate institutions engaging in microfinance activities.

The capital of Kenya is Nairobi. The country is formerly known as British East Africa. Composed of seven (7) provinces and one (1) area, Kenya got its independence from the United Kingdom on December 12, 1963.

More than three (3) years ago, I attended the 4-day Global Microcredit Summit 2006 held at Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada last November 12-15, 2006 which ended with a Closing Dinner in the evening of November 15th. The international delegates to the Summit numbering no less than two thousand three hundred attended the closing ceremonies. The highlight of the affair was the presentation by Ingrid Munro of the inspiring story of Jamii Bora, the fastest growing microfinance institution (MFI) in Kenya.

The long spontaneous applause of the international delegates after the presentation of the Jamii Bora story and the standing ovation after the presentation was a fitting climax to the Global Microcredit Summit 2006.

When Ingrid Munro was sharing about the Jamii Bora program to the two thousand international delegates to the Global Microcredit Summit 2006 – there was silence in the crowd. Everybody was listening intently to every word that Ingrid Munro was saying. The audience was quiet. Every word was uttered by Ingrid Munro with so much feeling. I know. I was there. The stories of the beggars, the thieves and others whose lives have been transformed by Jamii Bora have touched the hearts of the delegates to the 4-day Global Microcredit Summit held at Halifax, Nova Scotia in Canada in a special way.

All the international delegates to the Global Microcredit Summit 2006 – about two thousand three hundred in all from different countries representing the different sectors of the microfinance industry (donors, regulators, non-government organizations, bankers, and others) I am certain went back to their respective countries more inspired, more energized, more challenged, and more excited and committed to get involved with the microfinance movement.

Especially after listening to the inspiring stories of Ingrid Munro about the activities of the Jamii Bora, a microfinance institution in Kenya. (To be continued)

Have a joyful day!