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EFFORTS OF THE POOR IN DEVELOPMENT ( EPID)
— · EIN · walkingwithafricans.org
profile · synthesized from sources

The Walking with Africans Foundation (WAF) is a U.S.-based nonprofit founded in 2007 that supports microfinance and table banking groups in rural Kenya and Malawi. It partners with local community organizations to provide seed funding, mentoring, and training, enabling groups of primarily women to launch small businesses and build financial independence. WAF emphasizes community-led development through models like "harambe" (working together) and operates via peer lending groups that manage their own savings and loan systems.

named programs · 3 · from sources

what they call their work

Group Mentorship and Training
Local aides in Kenya and Malawi train and support groups in financial management, governance, and sustainability, with U.S. board members providing oversight and visits
Peer Group Microfinance
Provides seed funding and mentoring to microfinance groups using a village banking model, enabling members to start or expand small businesses
Table Banking
Supports community-based savings and lending groups in Kenya and Malawi where members pool funds, issue loans, and manage repayment through peer accountability and local leadership
activities · 2 groups

what they do

  • Microfinance and Savings Group Support 2 activities
    • Microfinance Group Coaching and Support
      Coaches and supports 8 microfinance groups in Kibwezi, Kenya, and 7 microfinance groups in Malawi, providing training in table banking and ongoing assistance to empower rural entrepreneurs and improve living standards.
    • Microloan Provision for Entrepreneurial Activities
      Provides microloans to members of microfinance groups for entrepreneurial activities such as raising and selling livestock, collecting rainwater, and selling clothing, supporting financial independence in rural communities.
  • Uncategorized 1 activity
    • Microfinance Program Development and Expansion
      Launched a pilot microfinance program in Kibwezi, Kenya in 2009, starting with 2 peer groups and 41 members, and aims to expand to 400–500 clients to achieve financial sustainability.
relationships · 7

who they work with

  • Colby Sibande Partner — Aide worker coaching microfinance groups in Malawi
  • EPID-Kenya Partner — Local Kenyan NGO that partnered with Walking with Africans Foundation to launch a pilot program in Kibwezi in 2009.
  • Effort of the Poor in Development (EPID-Kenya) Partner — Partnered with EPID-Kenya to launch a pilot microfinance program in Kibwezi, Kenya in 2009.
  • The Guardian Partner — Cited as a source for research supporting the effectiveness of table banking.
  • The Walking with Africans Foundation (WAF) Partner — Partner organization that launched a pilot program in Kibwezi in 2009.
  • WAF Microfinance Groups Partner — Local microfinance groups supported through coaching and training in Kenya and Malawi
  • table banking groups in rural Africa Partner — Collaborates with table banking groups in Kenya and Malawi to build capacity and support business development.