In 2016, Irene, a refugee from the Democratic Republic of Congo, arrived in Kenya. Two years later, she started a boutique business at the Kakuma Refugee Camp to provide a stable income and life for her family. Now, with the help of the African Entrepreneur Collaborative, Irene has expanded her business to better provide for her family. Irene received a loan to purchase additional stock of clothing items to meet the growing demand for the forthcoming festive season, allowing her to offer more options to the community and support her business. Entrepreneurship training on financial management and sales taught Irene strategies that improved her efficiency and cashflows.
Kiva Refugee Investment Fund, a new Mercy Partnership Fund investee, makes loans to microfinance partners such as the African Entrepreneur Collaborative to provide much needed capital to help refugees start small businesses or pay for other urgent expenses as they work to rebuild their lives. The fund also works with partners to prevent refugee migration by supporting economic opportunities in selected fragile communities prone to migration.
Kiva is one of 60 mission-driven organizations in Mercy Partnership Fund’s portfolio. Learn more on our website.