In many parts of the developing world, microfinance has already been recognized as an effective tool of social mobilization and poverty alleviation.

Walking with Africans Foundation (WAF) seeks to alleviate poverty among the rural poor. Beginning in Kenya in 2009 and in partnership with EPID-Kenya, a local Kenya NGO, Walking with Africans launched its first successful pilot program in the rural town of Kibwezi. We began with 2 peer groups and 41 members. Currently, our model draws upon the proven Grameen Bank microcredit peer group lending model known as “village banking,” WAF provides local advisors and funding to support the formation, training and mentoring of its client members. Our organization takes a patient, yet time-bound approach to providing access to initial loans without collateral, allowing members of peer groups the opportunity to co-guarantee loan repayment and assume management of the revolving fund.

Each established group meets monthly to pay interest and for accountability.  Each group:

• Decides the interest to charge on loans monthly
• Organizes their own Constitution
• Determines meeting norms
• Registers as a CBO (Community Based Organization)
• Makes their own contributions (shares) to the group reinforces ownership- put their money in-solidifying the sense of ownership
• Collaboratively with the local representative, decides how to monitor accountability and reporting
  
• Some groups decide how to use profits on shares annually- there is flexibility

They are able to borrow much more as a result.

In Kenya, Paulina supports the groups and is an incredible asset, helping with motivation, and growth beyond the basic accountability expectations. WAF supports her financially with a stipend to support her attending the meetings, (transportation) and helping the groups plan and organize. In Kenya, in addition to some forward thinking group projects, the groups have had 2 significant achievements in the last few years. Several groups have been successful enough to fund other groups, increasing the revenue and visibility of the Walking with Africans Foundation and creating opportunities for new groups to succeed because of the support they receive from their sponsor group, Paulina and the WAF board. In addition to this development, the groups in Kenya have formed a leadership board with officers from each group meeting occasionally together to support each other with information, ideas and support should a group suffer a loss or set back. This unity has strengthened the program overall. In 2025, Paulina and the 9 groups joined together to celebrate, share and learn together with all members and WAF Board members.

In Malawi, our representative, Colby, provides similar support and his background in working with microfinancing allows him to help the groups synthesize their data and consider other business decisions. Walking with Africans groups in Malawi are spread out over a much wider geographic area, making it more challenging for Colby to attend each meeting regularly. Nevertheless, like in Kenya, WAF has provided each group with a cell phone to submit their reports to Colby and to our board in the U.S. and the Malawi groups have also overcome some significant challenges to where they have been able to make some life changing moves for their families and communities.