BigDent

Shop with purpose!

Online store brings MOHI-made goods to your door, supports BigDent

Alisa Knoll has been blessed with an adventurous spirit and a “can-do” attitude, qualities that she’s needed in abundance as she launched a US business to sell products made at the Missions of Hope International (MOHI) Skills Training Center in Nairobi, Kenya. “Seven years ago I walked into a ‘Go Fish’ store in Florida where they sell handmade products from all over the world,” said Alisa. “I was enthralled with the idea and the impact of the stories of the artisans.” Alisa knew about MOHI and its work in Nairobi through her church, White River Christian, Noblesville, IN, which is a partner with CMF in ministry there. She volunteers as the leader of her church’s justice ministry, and realized that she could combine her passions as a way of helping MOHI enlarge its market into the US.

Alisa at her first trade show.How she began

She and her justice ministry team began with annual “Tea With Purpose” events at White River, selling alternative Christmas gifts from small business entrepreneurs, including beaded jewelry, containers, keychains and other small items from MOHI. She also used the events to introduce BigDent – CMF’s online giving site for Kenyan entrepreneurs – to the women of the church.

“I thought this was a great way to bring missions to life for women who will never travel overseas,” said Alisa. “Over the past few years, proceeds from the Tea with Purpose event have supported 17 different artisan/entrepreneurs through BigDent.”

Alisa soon realized that she needed a bigger platform to sell more MOHI products to help more artisans.

“They need a more consistent income than we could provide through the yearly tea and the few craft shows that I went to,” she said.

So she and her husband took out a small loan and launched a business, “Esperanza,” which means “to bring hope.”

Esperanza has now expanded by selling MOHI-produced items in seven retail locations in Indiana and on a website that launched on March 15. The products are available for purchase by both individuals and retailers. The website will also feature a link to the BigDent website so buyers can support other Kenyan entrepreneurs.

Where to shop

Here are the places where you can purchase MOHI products: 
  • www.EsperanzaToBringHOPE.com
  • Capstone Café and Bookstore at Northview Church, Carmel, IN
  • Bash Boutique, Westfield, IN
  • At Home With Us, Fortville, IN
  • Sherezz Fashions, Indianapolis, IN
  • IU Hospital gift shop, University Blvd., Indianapolis, IN
  • Artifacts, Indianapolis, IN
  • Brown Jewelers, Sullivan, IN

Alisa and FransiscahDreams and challenges

The nuts and bolts of doing business with small entrepreneurs in Africa can be challenging, Alisa admits. “The supply timeline is my major challenge right now,” she said. “I send over a detailed list of pieces that will sell here, explaining how each piece should be made – length, colors, type of clasp, for example – and then have to wait for a group to go over on a mission trip and bring back the products for me.

“I’m not a jewelry designer, but I’ve had to become one, to some extent!” she added.

About 25% of the total retail cost of the items goes back to MOHI to pay a fair wage to the artisan, cover the cost of the materials and invest in MOHI.

“I see this as a ministry, and a great way to raise awareness of what Kenyan artisans are doing,” said Alisa.

Ruth Wanjiru“There has just been one thing after another to affirm that I need to take these risks and see where God takes it,” she added. “For example, a friend of ours believes so much in what I’m doing that he paid off that personal loan we took out to begin the business.”

Alisa hopes to expand with products from other CMF mission fields in the future.  

“I’m not a business person, by any means,” Alisa said. “But I have made myself available and God is opening the doors!”
 

imagine moreImagine More artisans and entrepreneurs who are able to help support their families with their handcrafted items and small businesses! Go to BigDent to help an entrepreneur start her new business, or to Esperanza to purchase a handmade product from a MOHI artisan.
 

BigDent gives big boost to Nairobi women

Your donations to BigDent are greatly appreciated by the women of the Mathare Valley. Here are two stories that show you how they can do a lot with a little!

MacrineMacrine joined a Missions of Hope accountability group in 2009. At the time, she owned a small food stand in her community where she made and sold pastries every morning, but this business was not large enough to support her family’s needs. With her first loan of $100 she invested in stock for her business, buying in bulk to save money. With her second loan she started cooking beans and corn and preparing tea for her customers along the street. Her third loan of almost $1,100 helped her construct and open her restaurant, as well as pay off her children’s school fees. While Macrine is very happy and grateful with how far she has come with these loans, she has big plans for the future of her business. She wants to keep growing so she can employ as many people as possible and empower her community with jobs and healthy food.

VirginiaVirginia lives in Mathare Valley with her child. Since her husband disappeared, she has been providing for her child as a single mother. She operates a small produce stand, but struggled to provide for her child’s needs. Virginia joined a Missions of Hope accountability group about a year ago, hoping to expand her business. After a period of saving money she took out her first loan and was able to increase her stock. As a result, her business began generating more money and she has been able to pay her child’s school fees. She is so excited by how this first loan has changed her business and is ready to take another loan soon to continue improving her life.
 

 

 

 
 
 

Your investments in BigDent still pay off!

Here are the BigDent numbers for the first quarter of 2016. 

Total number of women and men helped to date: 4,902

(6% increase so far this year)  

Total number of people with loans outstanding: 1,364
(14% increase from same period last year)

Number of new entrepreneurs this quarter: 284

Number of people helped with new loans this quarter:  110 

Number of potential new business owners in training:  577 

Number of new business accountability groups this quarter: 10 (Now there are 248 groups meeting for loan repayment, spiritual encouragement, savings and ongoing business coaching) 

Total amount of money SAVED by clients to date:  $510,982

Number of people who completed training and are awaiting first loans: 367

Number of people waiting for subsequent loans: 1,250

Outstanding loan balance: $576,942

Total amount of funds loaned out this quarter: $168,485

Loan repayment rate: 95%

Number of business owners this quarter who reached a point of business sustainability and no longer need a loan: 45

 

 

In Quotes

“The ways we are effective in culture are also the primary ways we serve others. We serve others by entering into a relationship of love and mutual commitment.” – Duane Elmer, “Cross Cultural Servanthood,” IVP Books, 2006

 
 
CMF International is a global missions team working to create and grow Christ-centered communities.
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