Meet George: A Connector Between Continents
When George Taita left Kenya for Germany, he not only set out to build a life for himself but also began paving opportunities for others back home. For George, remittances are more than monthly transaction, they’re a powerful tool to empower entrepreneurs, strengthen families, and create jobs.
Through the WIDU.africa platform, George has supported 15 small businesses across Kenya. His story is a reflection of the potential that lies in diaspora-led development.
From family to community
George’s journey with WIDU began close to home, with his mother. He supported her to start a kitchen garden, which now supplies fresh vegetables to a local school and the surrounding community. “My participation with WIDU has been really helpful to us. I supported my mom through her kitchen garden, which has been providing vegetables for the school and the community,” George shares.
From that first seed, 14 other businesses in the agriculture and retail sectors, such as fish farming, dairy and milk value addition, potato farming and poultry have benefited from Mr. Taita’s networks. These businesses are more than income generators but community builders.
Jobs, Livelihoods and a Shared Prosperity
For George, the most tangible outcome of his engagement with WIDU is not only the launch of new businesses but also the creation of dignified work opportunities.
“The impact that I've seen from WIDU through the projects I’ve supported is the job creation,” he says. The revived shop, for instance, once struggled to restock and stay afloat, it now operates steadily with the help of an assistant and a delivery person—both roles created through this simple act of support.
In his mother’s case, her thriving kitchen garden now produces enough surplus vegetables to support the neighbouring school and other women in the community. These women pick up the produce and sell it at nearby markets; generating income for their families and adding another layer of empowerment to the initiative.
“My mom provides vegetables for other women to go and sell,” George shares. “It’s not just about her; it’s about what the project enables others to do.”
In total, several of the 15 businesses George has supported have become small-scale employers, offering consistent income to local youth, family members, and neighbours. Whether it’s helping to transport fish from the farm, selling farm inputs, or preparing produce for market days, these ventures are building micro-economies rooted in local ownership.
Celebrating IDFR 2025: Remittances Financing Development
As we mark this year’s International Day of Family Remittances, George’s journey shows us what’s possible when diaspora remittances are used strategically.
Thanks to partners like him, remittances are financing development, enabling people to:
Start or grow businesses
Create jobs in their communities
Multiply impact far beyond the original investment
On this IDFR, we celebrate the power of the diaspora, not just for the financial support, but for the knowledge, skills, opportunity, and sustainable development they make possible.
“We’re no longer just giving money; we’re giving both fish and a fishing rod. What really matters is how that money is used to expand a business and create something sustainable,”
Find out more about George in this interview on Youtube right here