Big Dent Making a Big Difference a Little Bit at a Time

Big Dent is the microfinance wing of CMF International, the organization we work with in the Mathare Valley slums of Nairobi, Kenya. It provides small business loans to the poverty stricken residents of this slum. If you want to entertain the notion of helping people overcome the poverty that overwhelms them in an urban slum, this and the educational focus of the schools does so much to help these people help themselves. Residents who want to apply for a loan must undertake 8 weeks of training and be part of an accountability group with other residents seeking loans. If one member doesn't pay or has troubles with their business, the other members are accountable to help with the loan. They also must start a savings bank account prior to receiving a loan. The amazing thing about the structure of this program is that there is a loan repayment rate of 98%.

I really enjoy giving a little money here and there whenever I have the opportunity. What I like about the Big Dent website is that you can see and read about the real residents in Mathare who are seeking loans. I think this is a great approach and you can pick who you want to help. The process is easy (over the web) and you can pay as little or as much as you like.

I have helped provide parts of a loan to ten different residents so far. You can check back into your account and see the people you helped out and you can see when they repay their loans and even if they are looking for a new loan to expand their business.

When choosing someone to help out, you can read their stories and goals and what they intend to do with the loan. Sometimes you choose a person based on their photo. An older 76 year old woman is one of the people I helped, just because she has to be some amazing type of survivor. You can give how much or how little you like. I like to give something from money I might receive at my birthday or Christmas. Give when you feel like celebrating and Christmas time is a good time to do that!

If you are looking for a fun way to give money to a responsible organization that truly helps the neediest of the needy, then I recommend Big Dent. If you are not able to be a big donor, like myself, you can do it in small chunks whenever you feel like it. What I really like about this program is that once a loan has been repaid, that money can go back into the program to finance another loan. So your money can further help and expand in more ways than the little bit you originally gave. It is like a multiplication of funding. You can also set your preferences as you search for someone to help out with a loan. Personally, I give most of my loans to people in the Bondeni section of the Mathare Valley as that is where the school is where I taught and where Anthony, the boy we sponsor comes from.

Check out Big Dent here.

The pictures on this page are pictures I took of the streets of the Mathare Valley slums back in 2011. They show what I think are some local businesses. They are not necessarily connected with Big Dent in any way.

Kenya in 2014: Join with me on this journey!

In 2011, I went on what I thought would be a once-in-a-lifetime trip to Kenya.  It ended up being the most eye-opening and rewarding experience of my life. I participated on a team from CrossWay Christian Church in Nashua that journeyed to the Mathare Valley slums of Nairobi. We worked with The Hope Partnership within the Mathare Valley. Our church has sent other teams to Kenya, but this trip was the first set up for teachers to work in the schools. As a teacher, I was compelled and delighted to go and it was a wonderful experience. This coming summer in  July 2014, I am excited to be part of a returning trip of teachers to continue our work and deepen the relationships that we make with the people and schools in the Mathare Valley.

Almost one million people live in extreme poverty in this small 3 square mile slum not far from the busy city center of Nairobi. Families live in tiny tin shanties the size of  backyard sheds packed together like sardines. There is no running water, electricity, or even sanitation. Rivers of sewage flow down the middle of the dirt streets and without trash collection, the streets are sometimes just piles of old rotting garbage and human waste. Hunger, disease, and hopelessness run rampant along these desperate streets. Drugs (glue sniffing) and homemade alcohol (chang'aa) are used to deaden the pain of existence for  many of the teenagers and adults who can barely survive or find an escape from such dire circumstances. Sadly the Bondeni section of the slums where I taught in a 3 story tin-walled school building (seen below) is also known as the center for the brewing of this illicit and dangerous homemade alcohol .

But here is also something wonderful happening in the slums of Mathare and Missions of Hope helps provide that hope with education, health services, micro-finance loans, and more to the people who live in these conditions and desire to rise above the poverty in which they find themselves. 

In 2011, on that first trip, I went with other educators from the Nashua area to work in the schools conducting teacher training alongside Kenyan teachers, helping them improve their skills in the classroom, encouraging them in their jobs,  and teaching the always eager Kenyan students. I have never before been so challenged or had so much fun with my teaching. We are sending another team of educators back to Nairobi this summer and I am thrilled to be a part of that team, something I thought I would never have the chance to do again. Many of those on this trip are educators, but others will be doing home visits in the community, bringing light into dark places by installing skylights in shanties with no electricity, taking food to the sick, and teaching simple ways to live healthier and better.  

I am taking another huge leap of faith to be a part of this trip. The easy thing to do is to sit at home and be safe, but the Mathare Valley is something that I think about every day since my first visit. It is strange that the place I most want to visit on this planet is also one of the most desperate places you could ever imagine. It is not just what I want to do to help the people that inspires me, but also what I learned from the people of Kenya. They have taught me what is truly important in life. Despite the poverty, there is so much living and promise on the streets of Mathare! The kids are delightful and so happy when given a chance to learn and be educated. They know that education is the ticket out of the slums. 

Despite the expense of a second trip to Kenya,  I have been shown that the time is right to return to Kenya and  to help make a difference. I know that the people of Kenya appreciate our presence and direct help much more than any money we could just simply send. We become partners and teach, encourage, and strengthen each other. 

As I return, I will need some help. Here are three things that you can do to help, if you feel so inclined. 

Number 1. If you are a praying person, I would appreciate your prayers. The trip is not always easy emotionally and health-wise. On the last trip, I fully immersed myself in the schools of Mathare and the kids and people that I met, and I would want to be just as healthy and energetic this time around. I also saw the goodness and light within the Mathare Valley and fell in love with that place and the people I met. I simply felt blessed to be there, despite the poverty and living conditions that I saw up close. I can only hope that I constantly value and appreciate the good around me on this trip while still being aware of the desperate lives being led.  I hope you would pray that the conditions do not overwhelm me or my teammates and that that we can remain healthy, strong, and safe so that we can also be a blessing to the people of the Mathare Valley.

 Number 2. I do have to raise more than $3000 for the trip and the airplane flight to Kenya. This is an immense sum of money for my family. I certainly would appreciate some extra support if you feel led and would like to contribute towards this expense.  If you would like to contribute and are able,  no contribution would ever be considered too small or too large and all would be very much appreciated! You can contact Sarah or myself with any donations or make a check payable to:

CrossWay Christian Church, 
503 Main Dunstable Road
Nashua, NH 03062

Important: If writing a check, please put “Africa 2014” on the memo line.  If you want a check to be tax-deductible, please do not place my name anywhere on the check. You should, however include my name in a note or on the envelope. 

I have committed to giving 100% of my effort and energy to this trip and unlike my first trip, I now know the schools and the  teachers and have a much better idea of how I can meet their needs. I have so many plans and ideas and can't wait to jump right in and work again with my Kenyan friends.

Number 3. I also have other plans to bring various educational materials to the schools we work in and this might be another way that you can join in and help with on this mission to Kenya. I will keep you posted as these plans are fully worked out.

Thank-you for your thoughts, prayers, interest, and encouragement. When I go, I may also wear a tie again, something I never choose to do on my own!

Jim Hansen