Capacity Building a Strategy towards Translating Financial Services of Finance Trust into Improved Livelihoods in Kumi Town Council, Kumi District.

Abstract

AMAYO FLAVIA (2011-M092-40003) Capacity Building a Strategy towards Translating Financial Services of Finance Trust into Improved Livelihoods in Kumi Town Council, Kumi District The general objective of the study was to establish that Capacity-Building by Finance Trust is indispensable for translating financial services into improved livelihoods. The researcher was prompted to carry out the study because; this is a time in which people are experiencing economic challenges. As such, everyone is trying to meet their needs hence causing them to look for alternative sources of income from various micro finance institutions. Considering the fact that such institutions provide loans to low and medium income earners it has turned out to be a solution for many people and yet some still face hardships economically even after accessing the loans hence the need for this study. 41 The study used both quantitative and qualitative approaches through a case study. There were mainly two sources of data that the researcher used: the primary and secondary. The sampling technique used was probability and non-probability sampling to identify the respondents. The sample comprised of beneficiaries of Finance Trust financial services and also the staff of Finance Trust and in all the sample size was 50 respondents. The tools of data collection used were; questionnaire and interview. The questionnaire was administered to the beneficiaries of Finance Trust while the interview was conducted to get data from the staff of Finance Trust. The study found out that; Finance Trust works to avail financial services such as loans (business, salary, school fees and personal development loans), banking services, and western union and mobile money services. It also established that, the institution does incorporate any kind of training to the people who access financial services from Finance Trust. Another finding was that, most of the respondents found challenges repaying the loans much as it has improved on their economic status. This was attributed to diversion of loan money, family problems as well as failed businesses. The following conclusions were drawn: there has been some improvement in the livelihood of those who obtain financial services, much as Finance Trust does not provide training for the beneficiaries. The beneficiaries often face challenges in repaying the loans they get hence need for an intervention. The main financial services people know in Finance Trust are the loans. Based on the above conclusion, the following recommendations were made: Finance Trust should provide capacity building to the beneficiaries in, financial management, business skills, and record keeping. The institution should provide sufficient information to the beneficiaries so that they can know of other financial services offered and follow up the usage of the loan money. Key Words: Capacity Building, Strategy, Financial Services, Livelihoods, Kumi District