Perspectives from the Field – Caroline Gimmillaro

HopeCore provides many opportunities for foreigners to join the work of Micro Enterprise development and public health promotion in Chogoria. Below is an account from Caroline Gimmillaro, our current Micro Enterprise Fellow, on her first few weeks in the village.

Having lived and worked in Kenya before, I feel as though I am settling back into a familiar rhythm. I buy fresh produce from the “mamas” on the side of the road and “take” tea every day. On my daily walk to work, people shout “Mzungu” (white person). Children pass on their way to school and bodaboda (commercial motorbike) drivers ask if I need a ride. When I arrive at the VHI offices, the staff warmly greets me.“Karibu sana” (you are very welcome) is something I heard a lot on my first day. Everyone at VHI was eager to welcome the new girl and extend a helping hand to assist me in getting settled at the office and in my new apartment.

Sam and Charity (the Micro Enterprise Coordinator and Assistant Coordinator, respectively) took me under their wing and showed me the ins and outs of the Micro Enterprise Department. I traveled with them and the Public Health Team into the field to meet with loan clients. Loan recipients are very grateful for the opportunities provided to them by VHI. It is wonderful to hear the stories of their progress. As I write this blog entry, I am sitting in the back of a loan training for four new self-help groups, which will receive their loans next week. The recipients, mostly women, are very excited about the prospect of a better future. They eagerly make business plans and work together to effectively plan their new businesses. I very much look forward to seeing the progress they will make in the next year.

Though I have spent most of my time in Kenya in Nyeri, I am quickly settling into life in Chogoria. Though Chogoria is much smaller than Nyeri, it still abounds with the same life and energy of a big town. I am discovering my favorite “duka” (stores) and which “mama” sells the freshest “mandizi” (bananas). I am fortunate to live in a small house where fruit literally falls from the sky (from conveniently located avocado and mango trees). I am grateful for the opportunity to work for HopeCore to help expand its reach and better its impact on the villagers of Chogoria.