Jill Biden blown away by 'Chama' banking

United States of America First Lady Jill Biden was amazed after visiting a Kibra and learning first-hand how table banking works.

Table banking, popularly known as 'Chama' is a saving model that incorporates mostly women in a given locality who pool together resources weekly or monthly to empower each other.

The Women of Peace 'Chama' invited both Jill and her Kenyan counterpart Rachel Ruto to seat in one of their sessions on Saturday.

Jill said that the banking system is very incredible especially for economically empowering women.

"I love seeing this. This programme, Rachel, that you've started because I think one of the things that I've been wanting to do, since I came to Kenya, is work on girls' education, women empowerment," she said.

"And you were doing exactly that," she added, in referrence to Rachel's Joyful Women Organisation (JoyWo) which works to empower Kenyan women financially.

Jill said that she has always taught her own daughter and her granddaughter the importance of being financially independent.

"And so now, here, you found a way to do your own banking system, which is pretty incredible, Rachel."

She said it is pretty ingenious that women found a way to support other women, to lift them up and to increase the economic prosperity of their families. 

"It's not just for you, you do it to support your families," she said.

The visiting First Lady further thanked Mama Rachel and the women for inviting her to see the process of table banking and how they are creating financial independence for themselves.

"You're quite an impressive group. So thank you so much," she concluded.