Two years ago, our partnership with the Kiu community officially came to an end—but the story didn’t stop there. In fact, it was just the beginning of a new chapter of independence, resilience, and flourishing. When we returned for a recent visit, we were deeply encouraged to see how the seeds planted during our eight-year journey together are continuing to bear fruit.
Here are just a few glimpses into the lives of the people who make Kiu such a remarkable place…
Peris – The Doughnut Lady of Kiu
Peris is a wife and mother of three whose story is a shining example of transformation through business. She attended 410 Bridge’s Business Startup Training (BST) in 2022, determined to find a way to provide for her family. Before the training, she and her husband relied on casual farm labor—a job that was inconsistent and unreliable, especially during the dry season.
BST training challenged participants to identify a business opportunity based on real community needs. For Peris, the answer was simple: doughnuts. She launched her business right after completing the training and began making and selling doughnuts from a small kitchen at her parents’ home, cooking over firewood.
Fast forward to 2025, and Peris’s doughnut business has grown exponentially. She has purchased land, built a modern home, and constructed two outdoor kitchens equipped with commercial gas cookers. Her product line has expanded to include kangumu, mandazi, and other local favorites. With branded packaging and a growing customer base, she’s now the top supplier to local shops, schools, and residents.
It’s now a full-fledged family business—Peris handles production, her husband Charles manages deliveries and market expansion, and two employees help fulfill orders. Best of all, Peris can now afford to send her firstborn daughter, Anne, to university—fully paying for tuition and living expenses.
“The 410 Bridge helped me change my mindset, and I am now happy because I can provide for my family,” she says. “My children are living the life I have always wished for them.”
James – From Shopkeeper to Agribusiness Leader
James Musau, also from Kiu, joined BST training in 2021 with a desire to create something sustainable for his family. The training helped him identify gaps in the local market, and he noticed that fresh vegetables—especially tomatoes and cabbages—were always in high demand but mostly sourced from distant areas.
After opening a shop in Kiu market, James invested his profits into purchasing land near a perennial river, where he began growing tomatoes and cabbages in rotation. Despite Kiu’s harsh, semi-arid climate, his farm has flourished.
During our visit, James had just finished selling most of his 6,200-head cabbage harvest. He sells to neighbors, market vendors, and larger markets outside the community. With the record-keeping and cost-management skills he learned in BST, James has been able to price his produce competitively and profitably.
His wife now manages the shop while James focuses on farming full-time.
“The training really helped me manage my production costs and keep records,” James shared. “Now, I have enough income to provide for my family and save for our future.”
Kiu Community – Stronger Than Ever
Our partnership with Kiu officially ended in 2023, but the community is anything but stagnant. The Leadership Council continues to meet regularly, addressing challenges and leading with unity. One of the greatest symbols of this is their water project.
Access to clean water was a top priority from day one, and today the borehole is still operational and well-maintained. Recently, when the water pump needed replacing, the LC used funds from water sales to purchase and install a new one. As a result, water continues to flow to three access points and more than 30 homes.
The Church Leaders Fellowship (CLF), which did not exist prior to our partnership, has become a beacon of unity. Pastors now collaborate, preach in each other’s churches, and work together to support vulnerable families—paying school fees, assisting the sick, and caring for the community. The ripple effect is clear: even men who previously avoided church are now actively engaged and contributing to community development.
Education has also seen major growth. Ndalani Primary School has been elevated to include a Junior High School, thanks in part to a three-classroom block built at the end of our partnership. The school continues to serve as a safe haven for students, with parents and teachers working together to ensure no child goes hungry—even during tough seasons.
Farmers are embracing climate-smart techniques from Foundations for Farming training, adapting to drought conditions while continuing to provide for their families. Some are even using their training to teach others for a small fee—spreading knowledge and generating income.
Hope, Ownership, and a Bright Future
Whether it’s a thriving doughnut business, a flourishing cabbage farm, or a united community rallying around water, education, and faith—Kiu continues to inspire us.
Two years after graduation, the transformation we once walked alongside is now being carried forward by the community itself. And that’s exactly the point.
We’re incredibly proud of Kiu, and we can’t wait to see what’s next.
