A key part of a thriving local economy is to cultivate employment opportunities for young people. This can be difficult in regions like Gatebe, where job prospects fall behind the surrounding areas. 

Elia learned about Kinvest when we built a pilot marketplace in Gatebe in 2020. He was still in school, but he was motivated by a local welder to learn the trade. He chose to set up shop in the Gatebe Commons because of the reliable electricity. Among his school classmates, he is currently the only one who is self-employed. 

After only a few months, he is earning enough to set a weekly savings goal. He hopes to use the money to start a pig farm and open a hardware shop—building more job opportunities for young people like him.