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.

Fruited Plains has been working with Africa Inland Church (AIC) Nuru, a local church in Kitale, Kenya. We have funded a total of 6 loans to members of the church. Four loans were funded in September of 2005 and we funded two more in March of 2006. On a trip to Kenya in March of 2006, Fruited Plains had the opportunity to visit with the first 4 recipients at their place of business and hear how the loans have made a difference for them.

We first stopped in to see a young man named Stanley. Stanley started a business out of his sisters’ home where he makes a variety of small snacks at cost. He packages and sells these snacks to local establishments during their lunch break. He explained that some of these items are favorites among the people but not easy to find. He is providing products that are desired and is making a good profit. Stanley was very proud to say that he has begun paying back his loan and has been on time for all of his payments. The Building Hope committee shared that they are very impressed with Stanley. Not only is he making a good profit, but he is donating his time to serve in the church as a way to give back for the blessing of the loan he received. He sings in the choir and was elected youth chairman.

Our next stop was to meet with Johnson who started a Boda Boda business. Boda Boda’s our bicycles that have a seat on the back. It is a very popular means of transportation for the local people. Johnson had one Boda Boda, and used his loan to buy another one and hire a driver. We showed up at the right time as Johnson had just returned from transporting a customer. As we greeted him, his second rider showed up. Johnson said he is learning how to manage people. His first employee did not work out but the new young man he hired was honest and working hard. Johnson and his wife had a baby last year and the money from his business was helping with the added expenses.

The third recipient of the Building Hope loan is Lilly. She is a very sweet and gentle woman. Before receiving the loan, Lilly had a small spot on a ?sidewalk? where she sold coal and a few other items. Her loan allowed her to purchase a small shop where she could expand the number of items she sells. Because many of the local people can?t afford to buy an entire package of a food item, she breaks the package up into smaller packages in order to make it more affordable. When we arrived at her shop, there was a customer buying some items from Lilly?s store. She was very excited to greet us. She shared that she meets with Maria, her Building Hope mentor, every day! The Building Hope Committee shared that Lilly is making a good profit and has developed more confidence in herself. They said that Lilly use to come to church with her head low and was very quiet. One of the members said this of Lilly:

“She used to be fearful. But she is now courageous. She is now ushering in the church.”

During a meeting with the Building Hope Committee they proudly reported that all of the recipients were paying back their loans and everyone has been responsible to pay on time. They believe the project is going very well and see that the people are not only benefiting financially, but are giving back to their local church. All of the recipients have begun meeting once a month in order to encourage and pray for one another in addition to meeting with their mentors on a regular basis.