Buying seeds and poultry feed

Entrepreneur

About Me

I'm Timothy Ayemba from Kakamega County in Kenya. I'm an entrepreneurial farmer and a part-time student at the Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). I'm also a Volunteer Mentor for some of the other Zidisha borrowers in my country.

To be able to attend university was a struggle that began way back in nursery school, because my parents were unemployed when I was born. To raise school fees was a hard task for them. It often was not possible for me to sit in class, due to inability to clear school fees, so I missed most of the lessons.

My mother used to tell me, and I quote: "Perseverance is the best way to make impossible thoughts to be real dreams you will enjoy after succeeding in class." From that advice, I developed the urge to study hard. While in primary school, we used to dig for people on their farm on the weekends and sometimes on weekdays when sent home for lack of payment of school fees. We sacrificed and agreed to pay all the money charged by the school.

This happened for eight years, but I managed to complete the eight years of primary education. Then, I proceeded to secondary school, with the same struggles as before. In secondary school, in fact, it was worse because school fees were higher. I didn't stay home due to lack of school fees, though. Instead, I worked for people to earn some money, so I acquired work skills while still in school. I started a business of farming while in high school to finance my education. By God's grace, I completed high school and managed to receive passing grades.

My core business is farming and I'm proud of the work of my hands because it has made me who I am now. In my homestead, I practice crop production and I also currently rear cows for dairy production. The income from these farming ventures is what is financing my education at the University. It also is what I use to feed my family, and to repay my Zidisha loan.

I started farming in 2014, while in high school, and after my father had passed away, as there was no one to assist me because my mother was unemployed.

I have balanced farming and my education, as I would come from school and carry out my farming chores, such as feeding the livestock and other farm work. The weekend days were the best days for me to fully do farm work.

I completed my high-school education in hardship, due to lack of school fees, as mentioned, but now Zidisha is financing my farming projects; hence, I am managing to sponsor myself at the University. Due to limited time, I have chosen part-time studies in order to have quality time to do my farming.

At the university, I'm undertaking Agricultural Education and Extension, and this is my second year. I work smart, which is why I'm able to manage several things at the same time. I thank Zidisha lenders for your support.

In the area where I live, the land is sloppy but very fertile, and rain distribution is good throughout the year; hence, crops grow very well.

People from the western part of Kenya like bull-fighting. This culture is widespread here, as almost all people in the country watch it. I also enjoy watching bull-fighting, which usually is done on Saturday mornings. Also, when a person dies who used to rear a bull or bulls, before being buried, bulls are brought to fight next to what will be that person's grave. This is very interesting because sometimes they may end up falling into the grave while engaged in the bull-fighting.

I have adopted a son called Ryan, who currently is in elementary school. He aspires to be a doctor, as he wants to be a part of saving people's lives.

This January, my wife and I are expecting a baby, as my wife currently is in her last weeks of pregnancy. We will be grateful to have our own baby, who will make us happy together with Ryan.

I am a choir instructor, and I'm proud of this because I serve people from diverse communities.

Additionally, I support sports in my area. In fact, over the December holidays in 2017, I was able to start a new football (soccer) team called Mundulu F.C. It's comprised of youths under the age of 17. I want to nurture their talents and, with time, I want it to become a football (soccer) academy. Currently, I am the coach.

I trust that with help from Zidisha lenders, my projects will prosper, my university studies will be accomplished, my children will access education, my family will eat, and my single mother will enjoy the fruits of my hands.

My Business

My main source of income is from farming, that is to say crop production and animal rearing. I started this in 2014, while I was still a high-school student.

From crop production, I generate $250 U.S.D. per season, and there are two seasons per year (as per my organization and management of the crops). Of course, this means that I generate $500 U.S.D. per year from crop production. My crops include kale, tea, maize, and Napier grass.

I also rear cows for dairy production. I used to have two cows, but one died of a viral disease called "Rinderpest" (a.k.a. "cattle plague" or "steppe murrain"). Fortunately, the other cow survived. Daily, I generate $5 U.S.D. in dairy production, which is about $150 U.S.D. per month.

The money earned is used to run my farm. I run two projects for diversification (raising crops and rearing cows for dairy production). This way, even if one project fails, there may be the possibility that the other project still would go on.

Loan Proposal

I will use the money to buy seeds for propagating my farm. The seeds will germinate to required level and and I will use some of the money to make manure which I will apply on the crops to make them more healthy and to produce good yields after a period of two months. The remaining portion of money I will use some it to buy poultry feeds.

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