Beggars, Savers and Borrowers: the ‘Good Families’ of Jamii Bora

It stands to reason that an organization that does remarkable work would have a remarkable history. Jamii Bora, which counts beggars and former thieves among its 170,000 members, is now the largest microfinance institution in Kenya. Its founder, Ingrid Munro, has driven the MFI’s revolutionary projects, including a “get sober” program, a housing project, and an in-house health insurance product. The most extraordinary of Ms. Munro’s accomplishments, however, is the creation of an institution through which some of the most destitute members of society have built dignified lives for themselves and their families. The following interview with Ms. Munro offers a glimpse into how Jamii Bora evolved, its current operations, and why microfinance is important for the poorest.

Click here for the transcription of an interview Microcredit Summit Campaign Director Sam Daley-Harris conducted with Jamii Bora founder Ingrid Munro in October 2007.

Listen HERE to a great RESULTS interview with Ingrid Munro from November 2008.

View videos about Jamii Bora on our YouTube Page

Click here to listen and follow along with Ingrid Munro's powerpoint presentation she gave at USAID.

Ingrid is also featured in our 2009 State of the Campaign report. Click here for ordering or download infomation.