Building a retail shop and an office for my camping service

Moses

Nairobi, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Moses

Member since

July 2015

On-time repayments

193 installments  •  49%

About Me

My name Moses and am so crazy about the outdoors, camping and adventure. I was born in Kisumu but lived most of my life in Nairobi. I schooled at Highway secondary school. Then pursued a diploma in Electrical Engineering at the Kenya polytechnic.
During my primary and high school years i had this great desire to go for camping but my parents could not afford to pay for any of these trips whether by school or church. The desire for camping was so great that i looked for every opportunity to go for a free camp through joining the scouts and st. Johns ambulance clubs in high school.After college i started volunteering to help at kids camps at the scripture union of Kenya and later trained as a team building facilitator through Young Life USA. This equipped me with the necessary knowledge to be able to plan and facilitate group camps to finer details.
With this knowledge at hand i venture out to start my own events management company. I facilitate Team building as well as organize and facilitate low budget affordable group camps for kids and youths from different institutions.

Kenyans are becoming more and more interested in spend their holidays on a camping trip and hence a high demand for camping Equipment. I believe that I am strategically placed to meet this emerging need.
I am married with two kids.
To sum it up, my hobby actually ended up becoming my carrier.

My Business

I am an events manager, i facilitate Team building for corporates and run group camps for various institutions. I also hire out camping equipment such as Tents, sleeping bags, cutlery and camping activities equipment .
Kenya is a fast growing economy .This mean more investors, companies and job opportunities. As this happens , it open more opportunities for companies to include team building as part of their day to day running. For this , they need competent team building facilitators which i 100% believe i am.
I chose to venture in this business since it first of all give me satisfaction, secondly i get to meet peoples need and help them come up with applicable solutions and lastly it brings food to my table.
A team-building session will give me an income of between $100 to $ 1500 per day depending on the size of the group that i am facilitating.While for the camping tents, i charge $ 2 per person per day .
At the moment my business is still picking up and i cant afford to have full time employees.I normally hire casual laborer who i pay from the profits. I also use the profit to support my family and keep my kids in school.
A part from this a large amount of my profits go to towards Education and provision of basic needs for orphans at Green Village Hope Children’s Home ,a children’s orphanage that helped found and direct. It is based in western Kenya. Feel free to visit our website www.greenvillagehope.org or search us on Facebook. This is home to 24 orphans and vulnerable Children. Right now we are constructing a boys dormitory and community early childhood education school.
My ultimate goals is investing in a property for my own campsite.

Loan Proposal

With this loan i will be able to purchase Electrical fixtures , paints and floor tiles to finish up the interior of my newly constructed two room (office and retail shop) which is estimated to cost $900.

This will enable me save $90 monthly, on the monthly rents which i pay for my current temporal office which can be ploughed back into the business .

The retail shop will be run by my wife . This will keep her occupied and it will also be another source of income for my family. This will make my family more comfortable and also good payments for two assistants.

As i also indicated in my profile , i also run a children orphanage . A percentage of my income goes to the general running of the orphanage ie food , clothe and school stationeries.

Overall this will mark my first baby step to achieving my dream of owning a camping site.

Thank you in advance Our dear lenders for choosing to support Us!

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$729.00

Date disbursed

Oct 13, 2016

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

4 months

Lenders

W

Witlof

Tsukuba, Japan

MakeSense

-, St. Kitts and Nevis

KM

British Columbia, Canada, Canada

F

flaguy999

Tampa, United States

Paul Buchheit

Mountain View, United States

mhooper1962

London, United Kingdom

melissapmeier

United States

Mike and Jacqui

United Kingdom

SE

Sven E

Mannheim, Germany

Craig

Memphis, TN, United States

moursund

Beaver Nation, United States

V

Vivek

Arlington, VA, United States

Emma

Australia

PG

Paul Graham

United States

Jennifer

Berlin, Germany

CH

Cris Higham

South Africa

R

Rahima

United States

Craig Newmark

United States

The Zinc Team

San Francisco, United States

Humble Bundle Community

San Francisco, United States

Ellen

Michigan, United States

A

Anonymous

United States

A

Anonymous

United States

Paul Buchheit

Mountain View, United States

Ask Moses a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • Wendy Emlyn    Nov 12, 2020

    Hello Moses.
    Are you able to make any more payment yet?
    God bless you,
    Wendy

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    • Moses    May 5, 2021

      hi i know this is long over due but i shall start making my payments inthe month of June

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    • Moses    Jun 5, 2023

      Hello Wendy, i know it been long. my business did not do well after covid. Things are looking good. I will startrepaying my loan soon.

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  • Moses    Jul 20, 2020

    Dear Lenders , Things have been tough for me over the past few week. I am starting to get some business i will resume making my payment as soon as possible / Sorry for the delay

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  • Emma    May 5, 2020

    Hi again Moses :-)

    I'm in the middle of a big university paper, so I can't write a big reply... But, I HAD AN IDEA :-)

    Why not maybe set up a crowdfunding page for your $187 Credit Risk Payment? So we can all chip in a bit to help you pay for that portion of your loan :-)

    I don't have much spare money myself (being a full-time student) but I'll still contribute a little towards it :-) & Hopefully if more people have that mentality, it'll be paid in no time :-) People-power makes such a difference... When each person donates even just a little, it really does add up :-)

    Anyway, just a suggestion :-) Those crowdfunding platforms tend to be a donation, rather than a loan, so hopefully that would really help?

    I don't know enough about it, so read up on it yourself, but if you choose this site for example, I believe you just click on the green button saying "Start a GoFundMe" & you can create it pretty easily like that... Here's the website: www.gofundme.com/c/youcaring

    If you do set one up, just post it on here so we can help :-) Like I said, I can't pay for much personally, but I will still contribute a little :-) Hopefully others do the same... What you do is so important, & you've been a consistently thoughtful/communicative soul on here, who I've been loaning to for years, so I trust in what you do...

    I'm sorry things have been so hard lately, & again, I apologise about all the confusion with the fees etc (I obviously have no idea how any of that works internally, or on your end, I'll have to more thoroughly read what Laurie wrote another time)... But yeah, I do hope that maybe this crowdfuning idea is a decent solution that may help to get out of this situation this time round... As it sounds like there was a lot of confusion around all this...

    Have a look at that crowdfunding option... & Let us know if you make one, so we can each donate a little :-)

    All the best Moses, glad you & your family are well & keeping safe :-) Sorry to here about being stuck indoors... Yes this coronavirus situation has been a bit difficult on most in that regard I think (myself included)... But I imagine its even harder with kids, especially when they're used to running around outdoors, so my thoughts are with you... All the best with it all... Let me know how you fair with things, I'll do what I can - Emma.

    PS. Thank you for posting your company name etc :-) Yes, I realised shortly after posting that that you had already mentioned the name previously... Thanks again Moses, I hope this all works out ok :-) Emma.

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    • Moses    Jul 20, 2020

      Hi Emma, I pray that you are safe and well. Am also fine just been indoors most of the time. sorry i have been offline for a while but am back. I have have tried to start go fund me but they said that they are currently serving only american citizen with account in the US. Kind send me an email so that we can talk more [email protected]

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      • Emma    Feb 13, 2021

        Hi Moses :-) Sorry my reply is so delayed, I haven't been checking Zidisha as much lately... I had a quick look, & it looks like this crowdfunding platform should be compatible: thundafund.com/signup

        But, I don't know much about it, so look into it yourself first, just to check its legitimacy etc... But you don't have to be a US citizen for that one apparently, so thought I'd send in case it was helpful :-)

        I'm surprised it asks you to be a US citizen for GoFundMe, that's strange? I'm an Australian not US citizen, so I can't help much in that department...

        I really hope things are looking up a bit... Hopefully life is getting a little easier on your end, bit by bit :-)

        All the best with everything... If its feeling a bit stressful or daunting, & you need help getting dates etc updated for your payments, it might just be worth reaching out to the Zidisha team? I think this might be the place to ask for help, but I'm not 100% sure: www.zidisha.org/forum-threa...

        Really hope your world is making you smile... I hope things have gotten at least slightly easier... A lot of businesses have been doing it tough, I'm so sorry...

        All the best Moses - Emma

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  • Emma    Apr 28, 2020

    I'm not sure if this will help? But I found out Zidisha had a Facebook, so maybe sending them a message on there may prove more fruitful? m.facebook.com/ZidishaInc

    Previously their email address to contact them directly was: [email protected] - This might still work, I'm not sure?

    It sounds like you've already tried/had no luck with making contact via a forum post, but thought I'd still send the link: www.zidisha.org/forum-threa...
    Maybe make the title "ATTN JULIA - please!" & see if writing something like that makes it more visible?

    Really wishing you the best of luck with all this Moses! Its been such a pleasure with you here... I hope things work out ok? I really hope they do... Warm regards, Emma.

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    • (Comment deleted by author)

      • Moses    Apr 29, 2020

        Dear Laurie, Thanks for your response, Though times are tough am not in any way refusing to pay the money i received. I commit to pay , i will adjust to a smaller amount which i can repay easily . I dont need my rating percentage to go high since i dont intend to take any more loans.
        But i raised this issue and i will point it out again. Surely if you lend me money , deduct you service charges and the retain the credit risk fee . and then am supposed to repay everything inclusive the CRF for other defaulters while i have not defaulted. The reason why i raised this after accepting the money is that being the third time i have borrowed since the fee was introduced, i have been doing my mathematics and i realized this fee eats into my profits yet it is just retained not for my benefit. So in the long run the loan is not beneficial.
        That is why i requested if i can pay the money that i received plus the service charges then zidisha can fill up the balance with my CRF they retained. I cant be punished for other defaulters!

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  • Emma    Apr 28, 2020

    I'm so sorry you've been having so much trouble with Zidisha Moses :-( I wish I was more then just a lender so I could help out...

    I believe they scaled back staff to only 2 people, & with all the coronavirus happenings I have a feeling they may be getting contacted more than normal, which is probably why its been so difficult, I'm sorry :-(

    It'll be sad to see you go... Do you feel like sharing a website etc, so we can still keep in touch/help out/follow your journey? I know that Green Village Hope is the children's home, but just realised I'm not actually sure the name of your outdoor business...

    One day it really would be wonderful to come over & help out eventually, so thought I should grab the name of the business off you before I forget...

    EDIT: Just realised I missed one of your replies to an earlier msg of mine; Its Philo's Outdoor Adventure :-) I noticed its not on Google Maps though, which I can probably help with? Would just need the physical address rather than the PO box (eg. Westlands Close etc) so that I can pin the location on the map for you, so as to set it up... Might help people find you more easily? & Would make it easier for happy clients to leave you a positive rating etc. :-)

    Really really sorry to hear about how difficult its been Moses... I hope you manage to get onto some staff who can help fix things up...

    Thanks for always having such wonderful communication, I really am so sorry.

    Hope life outside of finances is going ok, & everyone is safe/healthy etc.
    Wishing you the best of luck with everything - Warm regards, Emma.

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    • Moses    Apr 29, 2020

      Hi Good here from you Thanks for your concern yest it been frustrating and what annoyed me most is the only person who got in touch with me instead of addressing my issues , he told me am trying to steal from zidisha. I chose not to respond to such allegations( i chose the battles to fight :-))
      My company is Philos Outdoor Adventure www.poadventure.co.ke my email is [email protected] . You can send me an email then we can continue communicating from there.
      About the location, i will correct that i guess my web designer didn't capture it.
      I am keeping safe my wife and kids are well , we are basically indoor the whole day (tough times). i hope you are well too we will talk soon.Regards

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  • Lilian    Apr 6, 2020

    I have spoken to Moses who has promised to reschedule his payment..

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  • Timothy    Mar 28, 2020

    Moses is requesting Zidisha to use non refundable fees to offset some amount on his loan.

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  • Eunice Atieno    Mar 25, 2020

    He has complained about his non refundable amount that was cut from his loan that he is servicing,which by the way he requested to be added as part of the loan repayment so as he can be on time with payments. Thanks

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    • Moses    Mar 25, 2020

      Thanks Eunice, i dont seem to get any responce from Zidisha on this matter( a part from "please post in the forum" ). I am trying best to repay the loan including their service charges but minus the 18% which they retained (which they can use it to fill up my balance since i have not defaulted). Then this will mark the end of my journey with zidisha.

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      • Moses    Mar 26, 2020

        Thank you Zidisha for sending me a private message, I wish you would also give me a place to respond since you have deleted the message from my discussions

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      • Lilian    Apr 6, 2020

        Halo Moses it's easier to use the forum platform for you will be able to get assistance very fast..

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  • Wendy Emlyn    Feb 23, 2020

    Hello Moses.
    Are you able to make any more payments yet?
    God bless you,
    Wendy

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    • Moses    Feb 24, 2020

      I have raised some issues with Zidisha concerning the CRF but all my queries have gone unanswered . It is way too huge and eats up all my profit which leads me to make losses. With my small business i can not afford to borrow a loan of 75000 then i receive 53000 and be expected to pay the full amount. It doesnt make any economic sense. I have decided to try a repay my loan and end my journey with zidisha here. I can only commit to pay the 53000 i received.

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      • Lilian    Apr 6, 2020

        Yes Moses you can pay the amount you received and then cancel the loan which will be equivalent to amount that was deducted

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  • Daniel    Feb 21, 2020

    Hello Lenders,
    Have tried to reach the applicant but his phone went unanswered,i however reached one of the referee who promised to talk to him,

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    • Moses    Feb 24, 2020

      When did you call me?we are in the same whataspp group have you engaged me

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  • Moses    Feb 7, 2020

    Hello Lenders,
    Thank you for your support i received ksh 52,948 out of the Ksh 75,638 i requested,While i am grateful. I feel Zidisha is not fair in retaining such a large non refundable sum of the amount of Ksh 18,909/=,It even make the loan very expensive and hard to repay. Thank you !

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  • Moses    Jan 29, 2020

    Hi
    Thank you all for choosing to fund me. I will be buying more tents to boost my current stock so that i can increase my profits. Thank you once again God bless you

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  • Jose Ramirez    Jan 24, 2020

    Wow, this is an amazing project with such an energetic, enthusiastic and conscious person leading it! I wish you best of luck, Moses, I'll start following your activity and wish to be able to support more adventurous projects like this one (I'm also an outdoorsman myself :-))

    I also love the fact that you redirect part of your profit, time and will into Helping Others, you look such a Complete Human Being...

    Keep moving, man!!

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    • Moses    Jan 24, 2020

      |Thank you Jose,
      Wow it is great to meet another outdoor person . i hope we will continue to talk and exchange outdoor adventure ideas even outside this forum
      Thank also for the support
      Moses

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  • Sooz Cheong    Jan 23, 2020

    Good luck with your venture!

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  • Emma    Nov 6, 2019

    Hi Moses :-) I realise I never found out what your outdoor business was called? I was just about to give someone your details about using your local services, but realised I only know the name of the orphanage, not actually the outdoor business. Woops, I'm silly, would be absolutely great to know? :-)

    PS. It looks like you may have chosen to wind down your time on zidisha, which is obviously fine, you have to do what works for you :-) But just wanted to let you know I'll be here if you do choose to apply for any future loans Moses... Its been such a pleasure being a very small part in your ventures, & I'm sure I'm not the only one feeling that way :-)

    Wishing you all the best with everything! Hopefully might even get a chance to work with you down the line? Never know :-) All the best as always, Emma.

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    • Moses    Jan 23, 2020

      Hi Emma, Sorry for taking a long time to reply. I hadnt wound up my time at Zidisha . My account has had an issue for the last one year. i have not been able to successfully get a loan and was not able to post comments. I deleted your email address by mistake while cleaning my inbox so i couldn't get back to you via email either( you can drop me a mail at [email protected]. My business is called Philos Outdoor Adventure. I got in touch with Timothy coincidentally he is my neighbor two block away hahahah. Kindly let talk more via email Also remember to fund my loan

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  • Moses    Nov 3, 2019

    Thank you for the loan ! I managed to buy a new dozen of tents which has really boosted my business. Though renting them i have been able to repay my loan on time. I am now working on their profitability since i have cleared my loan. Thanks you!

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  • Moses    Oct 16, 2019

    A delay in payment by one of my clients

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  • Moses    Aug 20, 2019

    one of my clients has delayed a payment

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  • Moses    Jul 8, 2019

    Dear Lenders.
    Thanks you so much. i received the loan amounting to 52,948/=. I will update as soon as i put it in to use,
    Thank you so much

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  • Moses    Jun 30, 2019

    Thank you all for you generosity. With this loan i will buy more camping test for my camping business.

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