Education in Kenya Leads to Economic Success
Kenya Maize Development Program Helps Build Local Skills, Knowledge
For Kenyans Beatrice and Steve Kemboi, education is a shared value and proven investment, and the key reason they participated in ACDI/VOCA’s Kenya Maize Development Program (KMDP): to pursue greater knowledge and training.
Education Highly Valued
The couple has long understood the value of education, which has helped them achieve economic success at farming and in business. Members of the Kemboi community traditionally are educated within the village, but the Kembois broke with tradition. Beatrice (pictured at left) attended Nairobi University, earning a bachelor's degree, and her husband, Steve (pictured below), studied agriculture at Egerton University.
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Steve Kemboi at his and Beatrice's shop, where they sell seed, fertilizer and chemicals to Kenyan farmers. Photographer: ACDI/VOCA-Kenya |
Like most farmers in their community, Beatrice and Steve cultivate grains such as sorghum, millet and maize, and raise cattle, goats and sheep. Their livestock have fared well, selling for over $1,000 each at last year’s ACDI/VOCA Agricultural Business Fair. They also plant 100 acres of maize for silage as well as 30 acres of bhoma rhodes and lucern, and 180 acres of commercial maize. This year they have leased 200 acres for commercial maize and 100 acres for wheat.
Beatrice and Steve also own Maraba Investments, one of the largest input shops in Eldoret. While Steve is primarily responsible for the farm, the shop is run by Beatrice. In her shop she sells seed, fertilizer and chemicals to more than 1 million farmers. Beatrice also provides technical assistance to farmers and employs 17 young men to answer any questions the farmers may have. For her larger clients, Beatrice provides transportation and on-site advice.
Expert Training, Knowledge
KMDP provides training and technical expertise to Beatrice's staff, who in turn pass on their knowledge to the farmers who come to her store. Observing KMDP demonstration plots, farmers also learn how to use appropriate technology and invest in the proper inputs.
Role Models for Women, Youth
As a businesswoman, Beatrice plays a unique role in her community, where the average woman earns less than $300 per year. An extra year of primary school boosts girls’ eventual wages by 10 percent to 20 percent, and an extra year of secondary school raises their wages further, by 15 percent to 25 percent (www.girleffect.com). Beatrice’s daily achievements demonstrate the value of educating women and girls.
Her husband has supported her success and growth, and together they have passed their esteem for higher education to their four children, all of whom are attending university or pursuing advanced degrees.
Passionate about education and open to new ideas, the Kembois were eager to take advantage of KMDP training opportunities. Now, through their farming and business operations, they have helped make these opportunities available to the wider community of farmers with whom they work.
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