Passion for Profit
My name is Charity Kochila a member of Sunrise Youth Group based. Our group consists of 12 members based in Kambi Samaki in Marigat, Baringo County. We do meat goat farming, a business that we started in the year 2014 out of passion and as a means to gain financial independence. The main reason that inspired us to venture into this kind of business is the ready market for goat meat. There is an all year round, high demand for goat meat “mbuzi choma” by restaurants and resorts within and outside of Baringo county. Unlike cows, they require less capital to start and time that one needs to attend to them. They are hardy by nature and can do very well even in dry areas. They also fetch a good amount of cash and you can sell them at any time.
We buy goats from local farmers for as little as Shs. 1,200 each, fatten for about two to three months and then sell at Shs. 5,000 to butchers in Baringo and Nakuru counties. Much of the cost of rearing goes into feeding them. This includes fodder, supplements, salt and constant supply of sufficient clean water.
We got capital to start this business from the Youth Enterprise Development Fund. The terms of accessing credit were easy. All we needed to provide was a valid group registration certificate, minutes indicating our intention to borrow, copies of our National Identification cards and fill in an application form. They do not charge interest on the group loans and give up to three months’ grace period before one starts to repay. We have since the year 2014 progressively borrowed up to Kshs. 350,000 and invested into the business. In addition to loans the Fund has provided us with continuous business training which has contributed to the sustainability of our business.
In addition to goat farming we also do table banking. The profits obtained have enabled five of our members buy motorbikes. The motorbikes are used to transport the goats to the market as well as human transportation “boda boda”. We have employed three youth on a permanent business.
We owe success of our business to passion, commitment and hard work. I wish to encourage youth especially those looking for jobs to consider entrepreneurship. Use your talent, passion, knowledge to start businesses that would enable you gain financial independence. I am able to meet my basic needs including educating my children. I am confident in my future.
