Empowering Entrepreneurs: Billy and Faith’s Transformative Journey with the Jiinue Growth Program
Billy Wanyama and Faith Meliza embody the resilience and determination of small-scale entrepreneurs striving to create a better future for themselves and their community. Their journey—marked by ambition, struggle, and eventual transformation—highlights the profound impact of the Jiinue Growth Program (JGP) in fostering inclusive economic development.
Billy, 28, hails from Kakamega County, while Faith, 25, grew up between the bustling streets of Mathare. Despite their humble beginnings, the couple shared a common dream: to build a sustainable business that would support their young family and inspire others. Yet, like many micro-entrepreneurs in Kenya, they faced significant challenges, including limited access to capital and market opportunities.
“Before Jiinue, we lived day to day,” recalls Billy, who used his sales and marketing skills to support the family. “We knew we had potential, but the lack of financial resources kept us from moving forward.”
Faith, inspired by her mother’s knitting expertise, had developed strong tailoring skills and dreamt of creating a thriving fashion business. However, without access to reliable financing, she struggled to upscale her operations. The couple’s small savings were often consumed by daily expenses, leaving little room for business expansion.
“Our dream seemed out of reach,” Faith reflects. “I wanted to grow my tailoring business, but we couldn’t afford even the most basic equipment, let alone bulk materials.”
The Jiinue intervention: From barriers to opportunity
Everything changed when Billy and Faith joined the Jiinue Growth Program. The program, in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation is designed to empower micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs). It provided the couple with a KES 24,000 ($164) loan. This modest yet transformative amount marked the beginning of a new chapter in their entrepreneurial journey. For Billy, the loan meant the ability to purchase salt in bulk for his distribution business, significantly reducing costs and increasing margins. For Faith, it meant acquiring a new sewing machine, which doubled her productivity and allowed her to fulfill larger orders.
“With the loan, we no longer had to operate hand-to-mouth,” Billy explains. “It gave us the breathing room we needed to think beyond survival and start planning for growth.”
Beyond financial access: Building capacity for resilience mentorship
The financial support was complemented by training and under Jiinue Growth Program’s technical assistance (TA) component. The couple learned essential skills in financial management, business planning, and market engagement, empowering them to navigate the complexities of running a small enterprise.
“The training was eye-opening,” says Faith. “We learned how to track our expenses, price our products fairly, and even negotiate better deals with suppliers.”
These skills enabled the couple to streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and position their business for growth. The mentorship also provided a sense of community and encouragement, reinforcing their belief in the viability of their dreams.
Transformative outcomes: From survival to growth
The impact of Jiinue’s support is evident in the couple’s thriving enterprise. Faith’s tailoring business now caters to a growing clientele, while Billy’s distribution venture has expanded to serve multiple hotels in their region. Together, they have seen their household income stabilize and their quality of life improve significantly.
“The program didn’t just give us money,” Billy emphasizes. “It gave us hope and the tools to create a sustainable future.”
Faith echoes this sentiment, noting how their improved financial position has allowed them to invest in their three-year-old daughter’s education and contribute to their community. “We’re not just building a business,” she says. “We’re building a legacy for our family and showing others that it’s possible to rise above challenges.”
A ripple effect of empowerment
Billy and Faith’s journey illustrates the broader impact of the Jiinue Growth Program, which aims to catalyze economic growth by addressing systemic barriers faced by MSMEs, particularly those led by women and youth. By offering financial access, technical assistance, and market opportunities, the program creates a ripple effect of empowerment, enabling participants to generate income, create jobs, and contribute to Kenya’s socio-economic development.
Through a partnership with Grassroots Business Fund (GBF), DT Global, 4G Capital, GROOTS Kenya, Powered by People, Kenya National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KNCCI) and Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA), Jiinue has disbursed over KES 686 million in loans so far, directly benefiting more than 21,500 entrepreneurs like Billy and Faith. By 2027, the program is projected to impact 229,500 MSMEs and create over 500,000 jobs, fostering resilience and sustainability in Kenya’s entrepreneurial ecosystem.
Looking ahead: Sustaining the dream
For Billy and Faith, the journey is far from over. They aspire to expand their shop, employ others in their community, and mentor aspiring entrepreneurs. Their vision aligns with Jiinue’s mission to build resilient businesses that drive inclusive economic growth.
“We want to help others succeed,” Faith says. “If our story can inspire even one person to pursue their dream, it’s worth it.”
Billy adds, “Programs like Jiinue don’t just change businesses—they change lives. We’re proof of that.”
Their story is a testament to the transformative power of targeted interventions in unlocking potential and fostering resilience. Through its holistic approach, the Jiinue Growth Program continues to empower individuals like Billy and Faith, proving that with the right support, even the smallest enterprises can achieve extraordinary impact.
