USEFUL LINKS AND RESOURCES FOR THE KAKAMEGA COMMUNITY:
HELB loan repayment & default info:
● Can apply and must get approved for 12 months grace period after graduation
● Loans are due from 13th month, with monthly repayment of 25% of basic salary as deducted by employer
● Unemployed graduates minimum payment is 1,500/ per month (very important to pay this)
● Penalty for non-payment is 5,000/ per month; defaulters listed with CRB… this debt grows FAST
● Many employers require HELB compliance letter
● Defaulters cannot get HELB compliance letter, so for unemployed grads the minimum 1,500/ monthly payment can help avoid default
● When loan is cleared HELB issues a clearance letter, difference from the compliance letter ● 4% annual interest accrues throughout the loan
● There is a HELB desk at most Huduma Centres, they will answer questions there
● Can apply and must get approved for 12 months grace period after graduation
● Loans are due from 13th month, with monthly repayment of 25% of basic salary as deducted by employer
● Unemployed graduates minimum payment is 1,500/ per month (very important to pay this)
● Penalty for non-payment is 5,000/ per month; defaulters listed with CRB… this debt grows FAST
● Many employers require HELB compliance letter
● Defaulters cannot get HELB compliance letter, so for unemployed grads the minimum 1,500/ monthly payment can help avoid default
● When loan is cleared HELB issues a clearance letter, difference from the compliance letter ● 4% annual interest accrues throughout the loan
● There is a HELB desk at most Huduma Centres, they will answer questions there
LINKS TO USEFUL RESOURCES
EDUCATION INFO LINKS:
"KENYA PLEX" RESOURCE ON COURSES AND INSTITUTIONS: https://www.kenyaplex.com/
HIGH EDUCATION LOANS BOARD (HELB): https://www.helb.co.ke/
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM LINKS:
ACCESS KENYA (Kakamega-based): https://acceskenya.org/scholarships/
WINGS TO FLY: https://equitygroupfoundation.com/wings-to-fly/
KCB SCHOLARSHIPS: https://kcbgroup.com/foundation/programs/scholarships/
KENYA EDUCATION FUND (KEF): https://www.kenyaeducationfund.org/
M-PESA FOUNDATION ACADEMY: https://mpesafoundationacademy.ac.ke/
EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN (EFAC): https://educationforallchildren.org/
RED RUBBER BALL FOUNDATION: https://www.redrubberball.org.uk/
AGRICULTURE LINKS:
SHAMBA SHAPE UP: https://shambashapeup.com/
FARMERS (from Standard Media): https://www.farmers.co.ke/
SEEDS OF GOLD (from Nation Media): https://www.nation.co.ke/business/seedsofgold/2301238-2301238-e2g5gz/index.html
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTION / BEST PRACTICE LINKS:
ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA (ACCIK): https://www.accikunity.org/
OTHER RESOURCES:
JUHUDI KILIMO (agricultural machinery loans): https://juhudikilimo.com/
AKIRACHIX (technology training for young women): https://akirachix.com/
AGRICS: http://agrics.org/
ONE ACRE FUND: https://oneacrefund.org/
KCB 2jiajiri entrepreneurship training: https://kcbgroup.com/foundation/programs/2jiajiri/
Bidhaa Sasa (Webuys-area health-goods sales jobs org): https://www.bidhaa.co.ke/
Equity Bank Foundation agricultural training: https://egfdmis.equitybank.co.ke/register
Marie Stopes Kenya: https://www.mariestopes.or.ke/
"KENYA PLEX" RESOURCE ON COURSES AND INSTITUTIONS: https://www.kenyaplex.com/
HIGH EDUCATION LOANS BOARD (HELB): https://www.helb.co.ke/
HIGH SCHOOL SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAM LINKS:
ACCESS KENYA (Kakamega-based): https://acceskenya.org/scholarships/
WINGS TO FLY: https://equitygroupfoundation.com/wings-to-fly/
KCB SCHOLARSHIPS: https://kcbgroup.com/foundation/programs/scholarships/
KENYA EDUCATION FUND (KEF): https://www.kenyaeducationfund.org/
M-PESA FOUNDATION ACADEMY: https://mpesafoundationacademy.ac.ke/
EDUCATION FOR ALL CHILDREN (EFAC): https://educationforallchildren.org/
RED RUBBER BALL FOUNDATION: https://www.redrubberball.org.uk/
AGRICULTURE LINKS:
SHAMBA SHAPE UP: https://shambashapeup.com/
FARMERS (from Standard Media): https://www.farmers.co.ke/
SEEDS OF GOLD (from Nation Media): https://www.nation.co.ke/business/seedsofgold/2301238-2301238-e2g5gz/index.html
CHILDREN'S INSTITUTION / BEST PRACTICE LINKS:
ASSOCIATION OF CHARITABLE CHILDREN'S INSTITUTIONS IN KENYA (ACCIK): https://www.accikunity.org/
OTHER RESOURCES:
JUHUDI KILIMO (agricultural machinery loans): https://juhudikilimo.com/
AKIRACHIX (technology training for young women): https://akirachix.com/
AGRICS: http://agrics.org/
ONE ACRE FUND: https://oneacrefund.org/
KCB 2jiajiri entrepreneurship training: https://kcbgroup.com/foundation/programs/2jiajiri/
Bidhaa Sasa (Webuys-area health-goods sales jobs org): https://www.bidhaa.co.ke/
Equity Bank Foundation agricultural training: https://egfdmis.equitybank.co.ke/register
Marie Stopes Kenya: https://www.mariestopes.or.ke/
ABOUT KAKAMEGA
KOCC high school freshman head off with their supplies to catch a "matatu" public minibuses that will take them to boarding school
Kakamega is a densely populated agricultural region and Kenya's second-most populous County with over 1.7 million people.
Our partner KOCC is based just outside of Kakamega Town in close proximity to crucial amenities like hospitals, schools, and public transport hubs. However, the communities we serve are mostly outside of Kakamega Town in the economically struggling, outlying rural villages. |
Both Urban and Rural:
Kakamega Town and County |
Our partner KOCC is managed by board composed of representatives from five rural regions just outside of Kakamega Town: Shimanyiro, Navakholo, Chebuyusi, Handidi, and Musingu. Rates of poverty are highest in these outlying areas, and the women who oversee KOCC, because of their deep roots in these villages, are able to identify where need is greatest and where the support we offer will make the biggest impact.