Sr. Maria Francisca is a member of the Sisters of St. Joseph in Asumbi and lives a very modest life in a small convent on Rusinga Island. She has been part of the STARTHILFEKENIA team in Kenya for many years and has helped around 150 women achieve a life of dignity over the years. Currently, she is supporting another 90 women through STARTHILFEKENIA. In June 2026, representatives of three groups from Mbita met with a German study tour group, providing an excellent opportunity for meaningful exchange between the visitors from Germany and the women who had received microloans. One member of the German group was particularly impressed, saying: “I was especially impressed by how the project achieves its goals with such modest resources, and by the success of the loan programme and its high repaymentrate.” The 90 women supported by Sr. Francisca have just received a new round of loans. They are delighted to be able to expand their businesses and create new opportunities for growth and improved livelihoods.