adventurerneil    Feb 17, 2013

Greetings lenders! My name is Neil DiMuccio, and I am a Client Relationship Manager with Zidisha in Kenya. I am currently visiting borrowers to learn more about them and support them with their Zidisha loans. It is my hope that this work will build bridges to better connection and understanding, and that Zidisha and its borrowers will increasingly grow, communicate, and support each other.

I was recently had the opportunity to meet with Josphat Kariuki in his hometown of Karunga, a small agricultural community some 12 kilometers northeast of Nakuru.

At Zidisha, we believe in supporting Zidisha borrowers. This means maintaining a friendly and professional tone at all times. This is especially important for borrowers such as Josphat, who find themselves in arrears due to financial emergency. One might expect these borrowers to be cautious, or even evasive in communicating with Zidisha, but this is very often not the case at all! In fact, they generally welcome us into their homes and businesses as warmly as anyone else (and in Kenya, people are exceptionally welcoming). From there, Zidisha staff give them the opportunity to explain their circumstances at their own level of comfort and safety. We do not believe that following the traditional path of being demanding or prying (practices that might be common in Western culture or other local microfinance operations) is conducive to a productive relationship. I think this process is laudable on both ends, and takes trust and empathy to a whole new level. Josphat and I sat down for over an hour in this manner, discussing the options and details of his business, circumstances, and loan.

Josphat was very forthcoming about his struggles, and spoke English to me in a kind, gentle voice. He explained that his business had been shut down, and he is currently looking for ways to get it restarted, or to find work elsewhere. He also explained that he currently had 8 children from ages 4 to 19, and that supporting the school fees for so many was exceptionally difficult. John Njoroge, a local Zidisha Community Organizer for Karunga, was able to confirm that Mr. Kariuki did in fact have 8 children.

While Josphat is extremely grateful for his Zidisha loan, he mentioned that wishes there were an option to borrow a bit more, to be able to restart his business. He would like to be able to repay his lenders, but at the moment does not see how this is possible given his lack of income and large family expenses.

Please join me in thanking Mr. Kariuki for his honesty, and in giving him the time and patience that any of us would appreciate were we in his circumstance. Best wishes, Josphat – may you find what you are seeking.

Josphat    Feb 8, 2013

Hello lenders, i wish to thank you for your patience and encouragement. the challenges i have faced are many. the butchery shop that i was running has been closed due to financial difficulty, thus preventing me from having reliable income. i am in need of 20,000KSH to restart my business to buy some animals and pay a few months rent, but at present am unable to find this money. i am working hard to find opportunity to restart the business, but economy does not provide many jobs, as well i am aging. i have many children, in fact 8 children together, age from 4 - 19. the children require school fee, uniform, and food, and this is large impact to finances. i am willing to work and am committed to repay my zidisha loan, but at present situation seems very difficult. i ask and pray for understanding in this matter, thank you and god bless, Josphat Kariuki

Brian    Aug 14, 2012

Josphat, I am sorry that things are not going well in your business. Your character, good sir, is untarnished - I respect your honesty in keeping us up to date, and in renegotiating your loan terms. I hope and pray that your circumstances will improve.

Josphat    Aug 14, 2012

i take this opportunity to thank zidisha for the loan: may say that my plans to repay the loan did not come out i wished and prayed due to unforeseen family constraints; this has caused closure and re opening of the business without much success; i therefore request for maximum reschedule to save me from defaulting hence tarnishing my character the more: the business still shows no signs of improving very soon due to the prevailing financial problems; please assist:

Josphat    May 17, 2012

i propose a grace period of 3 months wef 17th june 2012 and i will be back to normal pls assist me through and thanks for ua concern josphat
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SCortez    Feb 16, 2012

Dear Mr. Josphat, I wish you the best in your endeavor. May you prosper and may you and your family enjoy the blessing of good health. Has the dry season improved? Please let us know how you are doing. Best Regards, Ms. Cortez