Last September, Eggpreneur, a social enterprise with Guelph connections, was launched in rural Kenya.
The business model was developed over time by Matt Dickson, who was born and raised in Kenya, in what he calls “humble beginnings.”
After completing his Bachelor of Science at the University of Eastern Africa, he came to Canada to continue his studies, and eventually completed a Masters Degree at McMaster University in Global Health.
Once he completed his education, Dickson spent some time in Toronto working at Grand Challenges Canada. While in Toronto he began thinking of ways to alleviate poverty in countries plagued by poor health, including high child mortality rates.
Having done research in India and Kenya, and having been raised in Kenya, Dickson knew the reality of child mortality, which was often the result of poor nutrition
“We wanted to create a platform for low income mothers,” said Dickson, in a Skype interview from rural Kenya.
From there the concept and model of Eggpreneur was born.
The model allows women in rural Africa to receive training as egg farmers. With the help of Eggpreneur, the women receive an entire backyard chicken business, which allows them to work their way out of poverty and impact the lives of their family and larger community, explained Dickson.
Residents in the City of Guelph have played a key and integral part in helping get Eggpreneur started.
Vivere Limited provided Eggpreneur with its first major donation, a $50,000 grant. The owner and founder is Jason Stoter, a Guelph entrepreneur who remains a a mentor and advisor to Dickson and his overseas social enterprise.
Additionally, HOPE House, a poverty alleviation organization in Guelph, has formed a partnership with Dickson and Eggpreneur.
“The partnership is beautiful,” said Dickson.
He added that having HOPE House partnered with Eggpreneur allowed for added credibility to the organization. He explained that HOPE House acts as a channeling pipeline, funneling Canadian donations to Eggpreneur, and offering a tax receipt for the donations.
While Dickson was in Canada researching and fundraising for Eggpreneur, he also spent time with many egg farmers of Ontario, gathering information and gaining expertise in the area of egg farming.
The knowledge that he gained is now passed on to the twenty women who benefit from his enterprise.
Dickson explained that the model focuses on identifying women in rural Kenya who would benefit from the program, and then training them for success.
Chicken coops are built for the women entrepreneurs, and 150 chickens are delivered to their “backyard”.
The chickens lay about 140 eggs daily. Three times per week the eggs are picked up and sold to five star hotels in Kenya. The women don’t have to sell the eggs, they simply have to care for the chickens and pick up the eggs that have been laid.
Dickson added that this isn’t a free opportunity. There is a deduction taken to help pay for the chickens and feed for the chickens. The women are also given the opportunity to receive brand new chickens after one year, if they trade in their fully paid for chickens from the previous year.
“I believe Kenyans need a hand up, not a hand out,” added Dickson.
He explained the impact of Eggpreneur by telling a simple story of a single mother named Mary, who lives in a remote area of Kenya.
“She started a backyard egg farm, and earns about $40, in US Dollars, each month,” said Dickson.
He explained that through Mary’s business, she is able to provide healthy and fresh eggs to her four children, and earn enough money to send her children to school, a major accomplishment in itself.
“She is given hope and confidence for the future,” said Dickson, ending his story.
Eggpreneur is currently mobilizing donations for their second year as an organization. Dickson hopes to raise $350,000 in the next year, which will help add approximately 50 women to the program.
To find out more about Eggpreneur, visit their website here. Donation can be made here. Donations exceeding $25 are offered a charitable donation receipt.
All donations are channeled through Guelph’s Lakeside HOPE House.
