Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP)
How REAP Works
A REAP beading group in Laisamis village.
The Rural Entrepreneur Access Project (REAP) is an innovative economic-empowerment program that offers business-skills training, a start-up grant and two years of mentoring to small business groups of three women. In 2011, BOMA added a micro-savings component that teaches participants the importance of savings, facilitates access to secure savings instruments (such as three-lock boxes and mobile banking, where available), and helps REAP business groups to establish mentored savings and loans associations.
As of May 2012, BOMA has launched 925 income-generating businesses in 18 settled villages and more than 75 nomadic villages across Northern Kenya, impacting the lives of 3,300 adults and an estimated 17,100 dependent children. By the end of 2012, we will have launched 1,125 businesses, comprising 3,900 adults who will use the income to support more than 20,000 children. This year-end total will include 174 savings groups, each made up of three to eight REAP business groups, with an established constitution and lending guidelines.
REAP targets the poorest and most at-risk residents of each village. More than 90 percent of current participants are women, who use the REAP income to feed their families, educate their children and pay for medical care. REAP is targeting women exclusively starting in 2012; we believe that helping women to earn an income is a highly effective strategy for fighting poverty in the developing world.
Susan Nanyei bakes at a REAP Bakery in Korr Village
REAP participants work closely with BOMA Village Mentors to write a business plan and to learn key skills like record keeping, marketing, savings and group dynamics. Upon approval of their business plan, each business group receives a start-up grant of 11,500 Kenyan shillings (approximately $150). The Village Mentors work with each group for two years to ensure success.
Most REAP businesses are small village kiosks that sell affordable food staples and basic household supplies. Additional REAP businesses include bakeries and butcheries, tailoring and laundry, construction materials and petroleum sales, skins and hides, restaurants, dried and fresh fish wholesalers, beading groups and purveyors of inexpensive mobile phones.
REAP is a successful program of economic empowerment, poverty eradication and community development with measurable outcomes and proven results. Our original model was designed and implemented through a partnership with Village Enterprise Fund, and VEF helped to fund 200 of BOMA’s new micro-enterprises in 2011.
To learn how REAP is changing lives in Northern Kenya, click here.
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