‘Hand of Hope’ project for refugees in Kenya

The charity Christians Abroad is seeking to raise £10,000 as co-funding for a project with a partner in Kenya entitled ‘Hand of Hope’. The project provides a micro-credit loan scheme for displaced people who have taken refuge in Kenya from war and violence in surrounding countries. The money will be used to provide small loans for business start-ups, contribute to the running of the loan scheme, and offer counselling and training to the beneficiaries.

Over the past few years, Kenya has become home to thousands of destitute, traumatised refugees, the majority of whom are from nearby D.R. Congo. In the Kenyan town of Kitengela, staff with a Christians Abroad Kenyan registered partner have been working hard to help rehabilitate and integrate the refugees into the Kenyan economy and society. Offering trauma counselling and free/low-cost business training to the refugees, as well as English-language tuition and other practical skills, they have already had 250 refugees on their courses over the last six years.

Now their vision is to offer micro-credit loans of up to £250 each to 50 refugees with small businesses, providing them with the means to make essential capital investments – like trade equipment – to boost their businesses, and thus mitigate the deprivation and exclusion they face.

If your church is in a position to consider making a contribution to the loan fund, which will provide small loans to the refugees, contribute towards project administration and monitoring, and provide counselling, support and training for the beneficiaries please contact projects@cabroad.org.uk and/or visit the Christians Abroad website for more detailed information.