The quartet is the group of the lead investor, the village mobilizer, the village public and NDC. The four work together to make starting and running of businesses all inclusive and pool resources from all the.
Nyeri has many well to do people. Those people grew up in the villages, went to school and into employment or business. They did well and prospered. The link between such people and the village is through family, friends and property inherited from their parents. Involving them in the start up of businesses will extend their connection with all the people of the village and the village people will tap into their knowledge and material resources.
The lead investor is removed from the village public on the basis of social class. It would be difficult for him to work directly with the village public. The village mobilizer provides a smooth link between the lead investor and the village public.
The village mobilizer is an enlightened business person or employee who operates from the village or has strong links with people in the village. Such a person relates well with the village public. He can work well directly with the village public and with the lead investor.
The village public are all the people in the village. They are the farmers and employees who use the village as their base. The village public will contribute their financial resources and labour to the exercise. They will contribute money directly even in small amounts. They will contribute money as cooperatives. As many as possible of the people from the village will be employed in the start up.
The work of NDC is primarily to encourage people start business in their shambas. NDC is the catalyst that glues together and energizes the lead investor, the village mobilizer and the village public. NDC does this by sensitizing the public on the need and opportunities in starting businesses in their shambas. NDC also does this by offering suggestions on which businesses/industries to start and at the same time offering actual support in starting and running the industries it proposes or those originating from the people.
NDC triggers the whole process by raising public awareness on the need and opportunities in starting businesses. NDC does this through public rallies, the media and direct approach to potential lead investors and village mobilizers. By raising public awareness, people select the business they would like to start. They register with NDC and request NDC to help with a feasibility study and the subsequent process of start up which involves pooling resources, building, procurement of equipment and raw materials, actual start up and marketing of the products.
A villager, a village mobilizer or lead investor makes a business start up proposal to those likely to be partners. They discuss, agree and approach NDC. The lead investor, the village mobilizer make preliminary plans on the whole process. From there everybody plays their role. The lead investor provides initial funds in cash or in kind. The village mobilizer recruits village participation. NDC provides the knowledge and the mechanisms to start and run the businesses.
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