Region:
Kenya (Nairobi, Western, Meru)
Funder:
Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD)
Project Duration:
2024 – Ongoing
Name of Programme Lead
Programme Officer, Leadership and Household Transformation
About Financial Freedom for Families – Savings with Education (SwE)
The Financial Freedom for Families Programme is a transformative community economic development initiative implemented by CMS-Africa in partnership with Episcopal Relief & Development (ERD). At its core is the Savings with Education (SwE) methodology – a savings-led microfinance model that organizes community members into self-managed savings groups through which they save, access loans, and receive practical education on financial management, business, and health.
The SwE methodology recognizes that economic empowerment and spiritual transformation are inseparable. It equips individuals and households with the tools and discipline needed to break cycles of financial vulnerability, build resilience, and invest in their families, businesses, and communities.
SwE is currently active in three regions of Kenya: Nairobi, Western, and Meru. In the Western Region alone, eight (8) savings groups have collectively mobilized over KSh 415,000 in savings, with members launching grocery businesses, poultry projects, agricultural ventures, and skills-based enterprises. In Nairobi, groups range from established active groups with growing group funds to newly formed promotion-phase groups building community interest and membership.
Goal
To empower households across Kenya to achieve improved, dignified, and sustainable livelihoods through community-based savings groups, financial education, and discipleship-integrated economic development.
Target Population
Low-income women, men, and youth in rural and urban communities with limited or no access to formal financial services, including:
- Women and mothers seeking financial independence and livelihood diversification
- Youth and young entrepreneurs building their first income streams
- Households experiencing financial vulnerability
- Community leaders, church members, and small-scale business owners seeking structured financial support
Our Areas of Implementation
Kenya: Nairobi, Western and Meru Regions
Expected Outcomes
- Community members – particularly women achieve measurable financial independence through regular savings, disciplined loan management, and growing group funds, reducing reliance on predatory moneylenders and emergency asset disposal.
- Households experience improved and diversified livelihoods through savings-funded income-generating activities including small businesses, agriculture, livestock, and skills-based enterprises.
- Savings groups become self-sustaining, member-governed entities capable of managing their financial activities independently, with Replicators trained to form new groups and expand programme reach.
- Members gain practical knowledge in financial literacy, business management, and health, contributing to holistic household and community development.
- Programme impact is systematically documented through robust MEL frameworks, enabling evidence-based reporting to donors and stakeholders and the amplification of participant success stories.
Impact So far
- Over KES 415,000 mobilised in savings across active groups in the Western Region, with members accumulating funds through consistent weekly and monthly contributions.
- More than twenty (20) active savings groups at various stages.
- Members have launched diverse income-generating activities including grocery shops, poultry projects, welding equipment upgrades, firewood-splitting businesses, seedling sales, and vegetable farming.
- Internal lending systems functioning in multiple groups, with members accessing loans at affordable interest rates – replacing harmful practices such as distress selling of household assets.
- Church and faith community integration – multiple groups operate with pastoral leadership and meet in church settings, reinforcing the programme’s holistic, discipleship-grounded approach to financial empowerment.