In 2019 the ACT continues to support Hand in Hand International, who specialises in grassroots entrepreneurship in developing countries, helping those living in poverty to launch enterprises, boost their income and find a sustainable way out of poverty for themselves and their families.
Their proven 4-step job creation model encompasses a range of business training, where their trainees learn the basics of entrepreneurship and gain financial literacy before gaining access to micro-loans to grow the businesses they establish. They then help connect the entrepreneurs with larger markets to develop their businesses even further. For instance, they are linking 1400 farmers in Baringo County, Kenya into a honey value chain, to be suppliers for African Beekeepers ltd, a leading private honey manufacturer.
To date, their business training and microloans have helped to set up over 2 million businesses and create over 3 million new jobs for some of the world's poorest communities, improving the lives of over 11 million people - mainly children - as a result. Ninety-seven percent (97%) of their jobs created are still existing 3 years on from their creation – demonstrating the robustness and sustainability of their model.
Hand in Hand has a particular focus on female entrepreneurs: not only is female empowerment an end in its own right, but research has indicated that for every dollar they earn, women spend 90 cents on their families and communities, whereas men only spend 40 cents. This means that additional income for women helps improve the living standards and well-being of wider society, with more money being spent on things such as children’s education, more nutritious food and better health care. This is why 90% of their trainees are women.
For an idea of the impact, that our partnership has, watch their video.
