Fruited Plains is a 501 (c) (3) non-profit charitable organization. We believe everyone should have food to eat, a place to live, and an opportunity to provide for themselves and their family.

The recipients of the Building Hope loans are doing very well. The first 4 recipients have paid off their loans and 8 additional loans have been approved. The recipients are meeting regularly with their mentor. They are also meeting together at the church once a month where they share their experiences and challenges. It has proven to be a great opportunity for fellowship, prayer and support.

Stanley, who we introduced you to in our last update, has not only paid off his loan, but has started a security business from the profits of his first business. Many businesses and residents in Kitale rely on security guards to protect their assets. Stanley has used his military background to train ten security guards self-defense and CPR. He has four employees to manage and market the business. “ARK Security Services” motto is, “We guard but God protects". Stanley started ARK Security in December and as of February, he had eight regular customers. Stanley still sells his snacks to the local people (his first business). He manages to find time to sing in the church choir and continues as the youth chairman. He is also getting married in December. Way to go Stanley!

One of the other previous recipients, Lily, continues to do very well in her business. She was proud to announce that her loan was paid off and that she hopes to expand her shop so she can offer more items to her customers. When we first met Lily, she was shy and did not look people in the eye. Lily is now full of smiles and self-confidence!

We would like to introduce you to Kennedy. He was given a loan in August of 2005. Kennedy is 23 years old and the oldest in a family of five. His father abandoned the family; leaving Kennedy responsible to care for their needs. Kennedy used his loan to purchase a cow which has not only provided milk for his family but an income from what he sells. He has used some of the profit to buy materials to make bricks which he sells for an even bigger profit. He has also started a small farm where he is able to provide food for the family and he sells the excess. The money Kennedy is earning has assisted him in not only caring for his family but paying his school fees. He is in his third year at the university where he is studying to be an accountant. He also sings in the church choir.

Eric is also a new recipient. He; like Kennedy, received his loan in August and purchased a calf. When we saw Eric in February, his calf was full grown and he now has another. When we first met Eric in August of 2006, he was still recovering from a very severe case of meningitis. He was having excruciating headaches and memory problems. His mother and the pastor shared with us how Eric; now 26 years old, spent several months in a coma and was not expected to survive. When Eric came out of the coma, he tried several times to return to school but despite his persistent determination, he was too sick. He was forced to quit and has been unable to return. When we saw Eric again in February, his memory was better and his headaches had stopped. He looked very healthy! He told us he was “very much happy”. He was proud to tell us that his loan would be paid off before April and he would use the profit from his current business to start an agricultural business. Eric would like to grow and sell maize. Like Stanley and Kennedy, Eric is a member of the church choir.

Another new Building Hope loan recipient is Rafael. Rafael is planting and selling cow peas. It is a vegetable that looks similar to a soy bean. The cow peas are known to sell very well, especially in the dry season. Rafael is also a member of the church choir.

The remaining Building Hope loan recipient we would like to introduce you to are: Janet, who started a business as a broker of maize and beans, Susan, who opened a hair salon, Naomi, who has a shop similar to Lily’s and Jsua, Victor and Kemboi, who are all planting and selling maize in different districts. Maize is a very valued commodity in Kenya. It is used on a daily basis to cook Ugali and Chapati, which are staple food items in the Kenyan diet.

We look forward to updating you in the near future on how all of the Building Hope loan recipients are progressing.