I first met Pauline Ntombura the Managing Director of Salom enterprises in August 2008. Salom Enterprises have experienced tremendous growth in their business in the last few years. This September they decided they would like to apply for a facility with Shared Interest.

Salom works with 12 groups of producers located in Kisii district, Eastern and the Coast provinces of Kenya as well as in different slums in Nairobi. One of the producer groups working with Salom is ‘Amani’ which is the Swahili word for peace. The group is made up of women living in the slums of Nairobi and was formed after the post election violence by bringing together women from different tribes to work together in order to heal tribal animosity. This group produces a unique range of jewellery.

Salom has made a huge impact in the communities they work in by providing a consistent source of income to more than 1500 families. They have also contributed to various projects in the community which include schools, water harvesting. Some examples include 3 classrooms built for Nyabigena primary school in Kisii and construction of a well for one of the producer groups based in Mathane in Eastern Kenya.

For a number of years, SALOM has helped create employment for several producers hence directly impacting disadvantaged men and women in rural and low income areas of urban centres. Not only have they enabled producers earn a steady income but they have also impacted the wider community through re investing their profits to support community projects such as schools, water and health.

Working closely with Salom we managed to process their application within 2 weeks, which may be a record for Shared Interest! Salom now have access to a sizable export credit facility which will help massively with this seasons orders.

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