The Chambers Federation is pleased to announce its renewal of financial and technical support for the social enterprise, Empowerment Lighthouse Ltd (ELL). The Federations initial capital investment of 15 million shillings will be rolled over to continue to support the financial capacity of the women owned enterprise while the Federations technical advisers and engineers will continue to assist in larger scale development projects. The Company is currently seeking hardworking women with a construction background to join its ranks.
ELL is private, women owned company, founded in Kenya in 2013. Its main purpose is to encourage, train and finance its women members by providing a platform to bid for the 30% of the government provisions allocated to women and youth. ELL is a qualified, YAGPO certified, company engaging in the 30% government tender process and also seeking private contracting jobs. ELL is fully supported by the experienced staff, engineers and equipment of its supporting company, the Chambers Federation.
ELL is made up exclusively of women and youth and is supported by the Chambers Federation, a U.S. corporation, and the Chambers family, in business since 1896. ELL has the full support of the Chambers Federation & family both financially, with equipment and engineers. ELL has the capacity not just for general supply and services but even construction of infrastructure such as roads, bridges and hospitals.
Chambers Federation first investment prospect was in Kenya. Kenya is a country with great potential. There are varying business opportunities that can be enhanced from vast natural resources, skills and cultural diversity. Women’s unemployment and gender inequality are major factors pushing women into vicious cycles of poverty making them vulnerable to social exclusion and crisis. According to the millennium development goals report 2010 in sub-Saharan Africa, 51% of people live on less than $1.25 a day and the depth of poverty is great. For women, poverty is a major barrier to education, especially among young women. It is estimated that 60% of the poorest young school girls are three times more likely to be out of school compared to those from the wealthiest families. Gender equality in terms of distribution of empowerment opportunities are biased especially for women. Approximately one out of five paid secured jobs are occupied by women even when women represent a large share of waged workers. Women are mostly employed in vulnerable jobs as unpaid family workers or as own-account workers—with no or little financial security or social benefits.
Chambers Federation saw the need to support women by challenging these issues and improve the lives of women throughout Africa.
