Getting to know the Deki charity based in Bristol
Posted on: 13 Aug 2014This week we caught up with a charity called DEKI which is based in Bristol and enables people in the UK, and around the world, to lend small amounts of money to people in Africa to help them set up their own businesses. 365Bristol spoke to Vashti Seth the CEO and Founder of DEKI to find out more.
1. When was DEKI set up and what are it’s aims and objectives?
DEKI was set up in 2008 with the aim of empowering people in Africa to work their way out of poverty. This is done by enabling people in the UK (and abroad) to lend directly though our website deki.org.uk to entrepreneurs wanting to start small businesses.
Lenders can choose who they would like to support and 100% of that money goes directly to that person. Over the course of the next 12 months that loan is repaid and as this happens the lenders can then re-lend their funds to another entrepreneur, enabling more people to work their way out of poverty for good.
2. Are you from Bristol?
I moved to Bristol when I was three so I certainly think of myself as being Bristolian.
3. How’s it going?
Great! We are now working with entrepreneurs from South Sudan and Ghana. People who live in these areas are typically unable to go to a bank for a loan and live on less than 80p a day, so microfinance is crucial to helping them start small businesses that generate profit. So far we have lent over £350,000 and impacted the lives of 9000 people in the developing world.
As 100% of the money that we raise through the DEKI website goes directly to our entrepreneurs, this means that every year DEKI has to raise a significant amount of money through donations and trust gifts to fund the operation of the charity to allow us to continue to deliver the loans to our entrepreneurs. This September, Deki are launching an exciting new partners program established to give businesses large and small the opportunity to partner with DEKI, aligning themselves with an extremely valuable cause whilst financially supporting the on-going running of the charity.
4. How can people get involved?
Go directly to our website to get involved deki.org.uk and click on lend at the top of the page, then read through the profiles of the different people looking for funding. Once you choose who you would like to support you can make a loan knowing 100% of your money will go directly to that person - and even better about 12 months after that it will be returned!
Aardman Animations, creators of Wallace and Gromit have just made us a special 70 second film to demonstrate how this process works. The film about microfinance is called Brigitte, Bruno and Ben .
5. How do you find running a community organisation in Bristol?
Bristol is a great place to run an international development charity. We are based on Stokes Croft along with a number of other charities working in Africa - including Temwa - one of our partner organisations. We have regular get togethers and a LinkedIn page that acts a community hub for similar Bristol based organisations.
6. Where do you like to eat out in Bristol?
If I'm looking for a healthy lunch time bite then Friska - they donate 50p from every Pho Noodle dish to Deki. In the evenings I love The Office Bar and Canteen on the Wells Rd they do delicious small plates - my favourite way to eat.
7. What's your favourite place in Bristol?
I love Gloucester Road for all the independent shops. Its a great place to buy essentials, have a coffee and browse the retro shops.
8. Where do you see DEKI in 5 years time?
In five years time I would like DEKI to have increased it outreach across Africa, so that we are supporting tens of thousands of families every year to set up businesses, that enable them to afford the basic things we take for granted such as clean water, nutritious food and education. The aim is to pave the way for the next generation to live happy and healthy lives.
9. What advice would you give to similar organisations in need of funding, volunteers or extra members?
Look for a mentor to act as a sounding board and to help you to grow your ideas. There are plenty of people with great experience that are willing to help.
10. If you were Mayor of Bristol for a day which one thing would you change?
If I was the Mayor for the day I would reduce business rates for companies that donate money to Bristol based charities.
Article by:
Born and raised in the suburbs of Swansea, Jimmy moved to Bristol back in 2004 to attend university. Passionate about live music, sport, science and nature, he can usually be found walking his cocker spaniel Baxter at any number of green spots around the city. Call James on 078 9999 3534 or email Editor@365Bristol.com.
