Vision

To be the best community based micro finance institution in Kenya, founded and managed on Christian values.

Mission

To enhance the building of the kingdom of God in its wholeness by empowering the community savings mobilization, credit provision and capacity building, using efficient and effective coordination, to improve their social-economic status and win them for Christ.

Core values

Faithful and prudent stewardship of resources

Transparency and accountability

Christian solidarity and cooperation

Hard work and self reliance

Honesty and health human relationships

Demonstration of acceptable behavior based on Christian love

Background Information

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Introduction & The Diocesan Development Philosophy

The goal of the ACK Thika Social Services programs is to provide a framework for Sustainable Development initiatives with the aim of alleviating poverty. This is achieved by enhancing the capacities of the people to utilize their competencies maximumly. This philosophy is based on the premise that people should live in a just and equal society and that the economy is not in a fated state. Its historic patterns show that it is flexible and that it can be re-thought and changed for the good of mankind.  This involves challenging the structures that sustain the systems of exclusion, and deny people the right to access to production and creation of wealth, thus disempowering and robbing them off their self worth.

Thika Community Development Trust

Overview

The overall goal of the ACK development program is to contribute to the efforts of poverty alleviation through self-help groups with a parish focus herein after referred to as Trust Groups. This undertaking is in line with the Diocese’s wholistic mission of transformation and restoration in the matters of justice, dignity and love through a social action approach. About Sh2.3M is the member worth while over Sh1.0M is circulating as credit.

Achievement

• The TCDT has in the last one and half years managed to design a microfinance model for pilot testing. This has been done through a ‘needs assessment’ approach at the grassroots, and interviews with organizations with similar programs.

1.      14 Parishes were identified as suitable for program implementation areas. This far 9 Trust Group have already been established and are operational with an average of 60 members.  These are;-

2.      St. Andrew’s Pro-Cathedral

3.      St. Luke’s Makongeni

4.      Thika Memorial

5.      ACK Ititu

6.      St. James’ Gataka-ini

7.      St. James’ Gakui

8. St. Mathew’s Juja              

9.      ACK Mugutha

10.  ACK Kiganjo {ACK Muthara was established}

11.  Ruiru East

12.  ACK Giachuki

• These are fully established with functional managing committees.
• Average Membership per group is about 60
• To stabilize the groups, the TCDT is carrying out a capacity building exercise through training programs.

Planned Activities

• To enhance the capacity of the TCDT to effectively mentor and monitor the Trust Groups for efficient and effective performance. This will involve;-

i.       Designing and establishing functional systems and structures of Trust Groups for effective governance and management.

ii.       Conduct training activities for the ;-

-         Trust Group members,

-         Trust Groups Managing Committees,

-         TCDT Trustees/Board and Project Staff, Clergy

iii.       Develop a functional MIS and Accounting system

iv.       Finalize on the designing of the Microfinance program, whose raw draft is presently being pilot tested on the selected parishes.

The Trust Groups carry an inherent potential necessary for development both in the district and the diocese. It is envisaged that they will contribute to overall economic growth and human development. The program is especially recommended for young mothers and youth that have the potential to invest in micro and small businesses.

Other Activities

July 5^th – 19^thJuly 2006             -           Kairos Group USA will be visiting and work with Micro finance Groups.

1.      July 31^st – 4^th August          2006    -           Provincial Conference on Microfinance