Build a better structure to sell vegetables
Elizabeth
Bamburi, Kenya
100% repaid
Entrepreneur
Name
Elizabeth
Member since
February 2015
On-time repayments
163 installments • 76%
About Me
My name is Elizabeth Vukusi, born and raised in Western Kenya. This region is one few areas of Kenya with good climate for agriculture. It has a tropical rain climate where it rains throughout the year. In fact Kakamega forest which is near where I was born is the only true tropical forest in the region.
As with other regions with high agriculture potential, the area suffers from a problem of overpopulation. The farms are so small such that I does not make economic sense to do farming there. Due to this problem, I decided to relocate to Mombasa to live with a friend just after my secondary education.
Mombasa is a big city (by our standards) and I liked the place the moment I landed here. My friend was in business of selling vegetables and I learned fast from her and opened my own stall after a few months. I had very little money to start me off but I am glad the business is still standing three years later.
I am a mother of two kids.
My Business
I run a green grocery stall. This is a makeshift structure across the road where I stock my green vegetables. Most of the produce come from the countryside and then I buy then from a big market called Kongowea where farmers come to sell their harvests. This is repeated daily since most of the goods are perishable and there are no refrigeration facilities.
I sell produce such as cabbage, sukuma wiki (kales), bananas, tomatoes etc since almost every homestead uses these items. I make about $10 per day but half of it goes into my expenses. I use the profit to cater for my family expenses.
Loan Proposal
I am still selling green vegetables which I buy from wholesalers and then retail them from my outlet. This outlet is a makeshift structure by the roadside (as seen on the profile photo). While it has served me well since I started the business, it has some shortcomings. This becomes more apparent during the extreme weather condition - when it is very hot or rainy.
For this reason, I need a construct a good structure that can protect me from the elements. The building materials will cost me $100 and labor charges an extra $20. I will use the remaining balance to buy additional stock in anticipation of increased sales.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$187.00
Date disbursed
Jul 17, 2015
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
33 months
Other loans
Lenders
Devon, United Kingdom
Sweden
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