Micro-business Program

The Seda program, which means push me up in Swahili, is a micro-business program that was launched about three years ago on a trip that my husband and me took to Kenya to visit some friends.

Our group will work with Kenyan women in the Kisumu region where unemployment hovers around 75%, the highest in Kenya and the continent of Africa. The Kenyan women have been widowed by AIDS, disease or war, and are working to create and grow businesses through the Seda (push me up) program. Widows, who are looked down on in Kenyan society, are able to earn money and support their families through the Seda program, which helps them restore their status in society along with their dignity and self-esteem.

Since the first micro-business loan was issued, the Kisumu widows are seeing success in business. Women who received a loan to pay for fertilizer for their crops or immunizations for chickens now have enough money to buy a goat or another animal to provide food or milk for their families. These widows now believe in their abilities and are gaining respect within the community that is transforming their future.

I will be leading a team on March 17, 2009 to visit the widows and their businesses. The purpose of the trip is to encourage the women who have already started their businesses as well as train and help the next group of widows to prepare for the launch of their business.

If you would like to donate toward the trip to help train and fund the next rounds of loans or find out more about our efforts please call me at 303-917-3057 or email april@momjobseeker.com