Our Micro-enterprise program is called Business Development Services (BDS) because we not only give micro loans to small business owners, but we also engage in a comprehensive training program to help ensure their success. Part of that program includes a two day training session for every new client in our program.

The most recent training took place earlier this week - Mon and Tues, Nov 1 & 2. Below are pictures from Day 1.

The sign in the church yard. This is the venue for our training...in a nearby town called Huruma.

The sanctuary...we arrived early to set the chairs...
...Francis dusting off the dirty ones!
Some of our clients believed us when we said to arrive at 8am!
...and some came a bit later. That's Virginia standing and Priscilla sitting at the registration table.
Warming up with praise and worship led by our resident tailor, Mary.
...Mary delivering a word of encouragement...
...from God's Word.
...as more clients arrive...
...and arrive...
...and arrive!


Some with babies (mtoto) on their backs...
...or at their sides...this little guy warmed up to me - eventually!
Paul doing introductions, expectations and rules for the day.

This is a good group, already taking notes!

The first session was taught by Abraham - Doing Business Successfully.
Which includes topics such as Customer Care, Marketing and Vision.


I think they kept arriving as late as 11! Many of them couldn't find us...sorry!
Samuel taking my photo...tea in the background!
Yours truly...
Almost tea time!
Many thirsty clients...


...finding any place to rest and drink...
Women on one side...
...men on the other!

Some praise and worship before the next session...
...taught by Virginia - Group Dynamics.
She shares about the stages of group dynamics - Forming, Storming, Norming & Performing
Every group must walk through these stages; when navigated successfully the group becomes strong and successful.

Abraham, Samuel and Francis resting...
Remember the shy guy? He is waking up!

Francis leading the group in C-O-C-O-N-U-T - one of my favorites!
You can see the "O" here...great way to loosen up the crowd...
Francis teaching on Integrity.


...while Samuel and Abraham enjoy each other's company.



Then one of the clients tried to insist that corruption/bribes are essential to run a successful business...
...so Virginia decided to step in to clarify our position.

This client brought the house down when he made a speech ending with "Right is right!".
The lunch brigade - Francis and Samuel jump in the help our caterers...
Our clients are hungry!

...and find any place they can to rest and eat.
What can I say - I like feet!
This mama is looking for a place to sit...
...she finds it and begins to unload the baby (mtoto)
Ah...


This guy found a rock to sit on and ended up eating all alone...
The baby corner!
A crowd is forming along the fence...
And the staff gets to eat at the table!
Samuel and Priscilla
Lunch ended our day...once the clients ate, they left and we cleaned up and headed back to the office...