LOWELL, MA � Jeanne DArc Credit Union recently donated the generator from their former Lowell location at 658 Merrimack Street to help power a corn flour sifting factory in Nairobi, Kenya.
The factory, Mays Millers, produces bulk packages of whole corn flour, a main ingredient in native dishes. Power outages leave it without running water and electricity, sometimes for as long as three days. This causes hardship for the many people of the city who come to the mill to get the ingredients to cook their meals at home.
"Our mission has always been to provide ongoing support to the members of our local community. We appreciate the opportunity to extend our efforts globally." said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne DArc Credit Union. "Donating the generator is just a small contribution from us, but we are aware it will make a huge difference to the factory employees and the people of Nairobi," he added.
Its founder, Onesmus Njiru, also known as, "Mr. O", noticed the unused generator on his route to and from work at American Training, Inc. In hopes of buying the generator, he reached out to Jeanne DArc Credit Union, who then offered to donate it to him.
"Its exciting. I cant even explain it in words," said Njiru. "The mill will be running and then all of a sudden stops. With the generator, the power never stops and people keep eating," he added.
The generator was moved to Njiru's home in Dracut, MA until it gets shipped overseas to Nairobi in the spring.
Photo Cutline: From left William Page from Coadys Towing Services, Jason Silva from Christophers Towing, Jeanne DArc Credit Union Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Silveira, Mays Millers owner Onesmus Njiru, his daughter Connie Njiru, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne DArc Credit Union Mark S. Cochran, and Christopher Ferreira from Christophers Towing.
LOWELL, MA � Jeanne DArc Credit Union recently donated the generator from their former Lowell location at 658 Merrimack Street to help power a corn flour sifting factory in Nairobi, Kenya.
The factory, Mays Millers, produces bulk packages of whole corn flour, a main ingredient in native dishes. Power outages leave it without running water and electricity, sometimes for as long as three days. This causes hardship for the many people of the city who come to the mill to get the ingredients to cook their meals at home.
"Our mission has always been to provide ongoing support to the members of our local community. We appreciate the opportunity to extend our efforts globally." said Mark S. Cochran, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne DArc Credit Union. "Donating the generator is just a small contribution from us, but we are aware it will make a huge difference to the factory employees and the people of Nairobi," he added.
Its founder, Onesmus Njiru, also known as, "Mr. O", noticed the unused generator on his route to and from work at American Training, Inc. In hopes of buying the generator, he reached out to Jeanne DArc Credit Union, who then offered to donate it to him.
"Its exciting. I cant even explain it in words," said Njiru. "The mill will be running and then all of a sudden stops. With the generator, the power never stops and people keep eating," he added.
The generator was moved to Njiru's home in Dracut, MA until it gets shipped overseas to Nairobi in the spring.
Photo Cutline: From left William Page from Coadys Towing Services, Jason Silva from Christophers Towing, Jeanne DArc Credit Union Senior Vice President and Chief Marketing Officer Michelle Silveira, Mays Millers owner Onesmus Njiru, his daughter Connie Njiru, President and Chief Executive Officer of Jeanne DArc Credit Union Mark S. Cochran, and Christopher Ferreira from Christophers Towing.