“From surviving on handouts to thriving as a spinach farmer.”
Thika, Kenya
A Humble Beginning
James Nayami’s life has never been easy. Orphaned at the age of 10 in rural Kenya, he spent his childhood battling hunger and hardship. With no access to school, he was forced to find work at an early age.
Getting jobs was a challenge and when I had no food, I had to live off handouts from well-wishers James recalls
But James never gave up. He learned masonry, worked hard in construction, and eventually managed to build a life — and even a family — through sheer determination.
Planting Hope
James and his wife had little money, but they had something just as powerful shared dreams.
We supported each other with ideas. This is how I started farming and got into the business he explains
Noticing the rising demand for nutritious vegetables, James focused on spinach farming, while his wife sold the produce as a greengrocer. But even then, they earned just Kes 4,000 (about $40) per week — barely enough to support their three children.
A Loan That Changed Everything
Then came a turning point: James met a trained, tech-enabled Grameen Community Agent in his village. The Agent introduced him to a loan program designed specifically for smallholder farmers.
With my first loan of $441, I bought seeds, fertilizer, prepared the land, and hired labor. I expanded my spinach farm and started earning more
The loan was structured to match James’s cash flow, with repayment schedules aligned to his harvest cycles — making it manageable and stress-free.
A Brighter Harvest
With increased spinach yields and better farm planning, James’s income more than doubled. His family’s life began to change.
My life has improved tremendously. I now pay my children’s school fees on time. They’re happy and healthy. I finally feel hopeful
Big Dreams on the Horizon
James isn’t stopping here. His vision is bigger than his spinach fields.
I want to buy my own pick-up truck to transport produce to big markets. I dream of becoming a large-scale farmer and building a house of my own. More than anything, I want to send my children to university — to give them the chances I never had
From Struggle to Strength
James Nayami is proof that with the right support, even the smallest seed of hope can grow into a thriving future. His journey from orphaned child to successful spinach farmer is a testament to resilience, partnership, and smart farming.
