GDF has created over 275,000 small businesses among some of the poorest people in Kenya and 3,840 savings and loans groups, with 4,600 volunteers. All this has been done without any of the businesses receiving external financial support.

Grace Development Fellowship (GDF) was originally set up as an NGO based in Rongo, Kenya and is led by Kennedy Ojunju, supported by his wife Hellen and by Rob and Jane Garratt from 5000+. The organisation is currently transitioning into a church based structure for greater resilience.

Jerry visited in May 2023 to see the individual impact on households and villages. This has been extraordinary, see some of the stories below of changed communities, inspiring individuals and many widows able to look after and pay school fees for orphaned grandchildren. 

Growth has come from using the 5000+ training. This facilitates a change of mindset taken from the feeding of the 5000: start with the little you have.

There is scope for GDF to grow significantly. TEN is helping GDF plan, develop and provide the next stage training for businesses with greater potential. We have also worked with Kennedy, Rob and Jane to raise funds for an administrator and we raised £2,000 to buy 'corporate' polo shirts for GDF Regional Co-ordinators and Area Supervisors. 

There is an video interview with Kennedy on our news page here.

Stories of Transformation

Quinta (left) is a widow who attended the GDF training and as a result started a shop. Now she can afford to feed and pay the school fees for her children. She is a volunteer Area Supervisor for GDF.

Rafael set up a model farm, demonstrating how to store and make better use of water. "God gives us enough rain," he said, "but he doesn't spread it out very well". He has a 20m square demonstration plot that shows how a small area can feed a family and is mentoring 200 households and hosts class visits from three local schools.

John lives in Alessi village on the border with Tanzania. The village took GDF training to heart and John's fish ponds (top) are some of over 100 created in Alessi; they were so successful that a refrigerated lorry makes regular trip to collect the fish. John also started an agricultural co-operative which buys labour saving machinery that is lent to each of the seven groups of 20 farmers.