Sunday, December 09, 2007
Computers Bring Hope for the Able and Disabled in Urban and Rural Kenya
George M.D. Nziu
Longonot Outlets
Kenya Investment Trust - KIT
One of the most crucial tools of a small business is hope. When people have hope, they have a pathway out of poverty toward a higher standard of living and a better future, made possible through local training and affordable credit to strengthen their businesses. This premise has been proven true by millions of entrepreneurs who are now building their businesses, creating employment and training opportunities, and repaying their loans to benefit others. George M.D. Nziu is a living example of such entrepreneurs.
When George received a loan of 15,000 USD in April 2004, his hope was revived and his business, Longonot Outlets, got a new lease on life. Three years down the line George has given hope to many more by providing access to affordable computer training for both able and disabled persons, thanks to Kenya Investment Trust (KIT) and Partners Worldwide. His computer centers penetrate urban areas, such as Machakos, a growing city about 50 km southeast of Nairobi, as well as smaller towns in rural areas of Kenya. At the centers, youth and locals alike are offered intensive computer training at affordable rates.
What started as a communication bureau of just one photocopier in 1997 has become a computer training center for over 135 customers today. George received multiple inquiries in 2001 regarding the possibility of more computer training; at that point, his bureau could not accommodate more than customers at a time. Because of the growing demand for Kenyans to be computer literate, George curved a niche market in urban and rural areas so that more people—students attempting new careers or local entrepreneurs hoping to improve their computer skills—have more access to computer training at an affordable price.
“As a businessman, I saw an opportunity present itself and I therefore decided to look for a helping hand. That is when I approached Kenya Investment Trust for financial support,’’ says George. KIT provided multiple loans and the annual turnover of Longonot Outlests increased from $21,800 in 2000 to $90,900 in 2007, while the number of employees increased from 5 to 13. Today, Longonot Outlets has 38 computers total, 17 at the main center while the rest are spread among the rural towns. George acknowledges the widespread success during the past six years, yet, to meet the growing demand, he plans to add 24 more computers with the next loan offered by KIT.
A local institution also confronted George this year with the challenge to make his computer training available to the disabled. “That was great inspiration for me. My contribution to society was being molded and I took this as a calling to share my perfect gift from God,” says George. He accepted the challenge by visiting the institution and discussing the possibilities with the local administration. They together agreed to train two members to accommodate the needs of disabled customers, an addition to the program they are excited to develop.
George foresees Longonot Outlets as a leading information technology center in a variety of communities. Profiting through his cyber cafés, calling centers, and the computer training programs, George believes that the business will continue to benefit more people each year. As an entrepreneur committed to his community, George heaps praises on his business affiliate, KIT, for walking with him on the journey, recognizing that loans enable businesses to boost the economy from the grassroots. Through their ongoing growth, businesses such as Longonot Outlets are increasingly able to provide the tools, and hope, that people need to succeed.