Computers and printers for my print wok

Edem

Techiman, Ghana

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Edem

Member since

January 2017

On-time repayments

15 installments  •  33%

About Me

I am Edem Kofi Asiam. I grew up living with my grandmother with my elder brother and other 7 children who were my cousins. My brother and I became victims of divorce and had to be subjected to all kinds of hardships.

Our parents, who went their separate ways, abandoned us in the village and at the mercy of hardships. I remember one day my brother had to crack some palm kernel for us to eat it with semi-dried cassava which was to be used for "kokonte" flour.

Life became unbearable for children between the ages of 7 to10 years. I dropped out of school and was accompanying elderly guys in the community to fishing. At the age 12, I knew how to fish and could go all alone to fish, even at night. This continued until such a time when I was told my father had asked to take us back to live with him and the new wife in the city.

I was sent back to school to have the basic education and the Senior secondary education. I studied visual art and was always on top of the class as has been my aim anytime I joined a new class. Upon completion, I did not pass Core Science and I was asked to go and learn a trade. Knowing very well that was going to cut my academic dreams shot, I declined and would not vie off the road. Especially knowing guys I was leading in class had the support to further their education. My refusal was considered a defiance and was left to take my destiny into my own hands. I struggled until I had a people teacher appointment from a private school where I taught for about 5 and half years before I gained admission into Valley View University as a mature student at age 25. I offered to do Information Technology, thus, BSc. Information Technology for four years by means student loans. I was also using the art skills I acquired from Secondary school to print T-shirts for students in order to get money support my self.

I also helped some lecturers on their farms and the school farm as work study. I decided to started teaching as a service personnel and save about GHC1,700.00 to kick start my own art shop. But I was into only printing T-shirts and designing cards. I saved for three years and took a loan to acquire some printing machines to print large prints.

Though I was determined to make it, I have not been spared the troubles and difficulties on the business at all.

The people around my community who saw how I suffered, did lend any support but always encouraged me to sour higher. Most had been very empathetic and willing to help but had nothing to help me with.

I now a child who is only 3 months old and I am doing everything possible not subject her into such suffering and set backs.

I love to spend most of my time on my computer either designing something new or learning to code. I also love playing volleyball and tennis with friends in the neighborhood.

My Business

My business has to do with solely printing and designing. I print large and small jobs and that for now is my main source of income. I also would like to venture into cashew plantation in the near future but the above is the main source of income for now.

My service as a printer help facilitate the work people do a lot. People print banners and other stuffs on daily basis.

I love to come out with new things or being able to reproduce the same kind of work by another artist. Designing new things and putting new ideas in the form of art drives me to stick to this job.

Business is sometimes slow due to economic crises but the little has been very encouraging. The machines I needed are very expensive and its acquisition is not a joke. Currently I needed $1620.00 US to secure some printing machine support the work. I even want to get a bigger place so I engage the services of some youths. The only source of revenue is the printing work I do and the savings which sometimes guaranteed my loan acquisition.

I invest part of the profit in the business but the chunk of the profit goes into taking care of my half sisters and brother who are still learning a trade. I also support a young man who is currently at College of Health whose parents pass away when he was very tender.

Thank you

Loan Proposal

The loan is intended for purchasing a large size Eco Solvent Printer costing $6800 USD,

All in one pc 4gb with CPU Intel i7, computer costing $270 USD

The devices will help facilitate my work fast and meet my clients demands promptly.

I want my profit to increase to 55%.

Feedback

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$112.00

Date disbursed

Jan 24, 2018

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

5 weeks

Other loans

Lenders

JG

Jake Gibson and Beverly Picardo

San Francisco, United States

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