Kenya – GPA awarded $5000 to Kilele in August, 2013 to implement a youth agribusiness project. 278 youth formed 15 youth groups are were trained in agribusiness techniques, marketing, business management and accounting. Each group was assigned a mentor to monitor and support youth as they developed their farms. As production increased the groups were linked to the Kenyan Ministry of Agribusiness which provided additional financial literacy training, investment strategy, initiated group savings and loan associations and taught youth to acquire income generating assets.
Within 6 months of the program the groups generated over $2700 in revenue from their products and all youth remained in the program during this time. Kilele youth developed new, vital associations with both local and international organizations; obtaining micro credit at competitive rates; additional grant funds to expand the program to more youth; opportunities to participate in international programs to share their success and an opportunity to act as a grassroots affiliate of USAID producing sorghum.