analinjsaturria    Jun 5, 2013

Dear lenders,

Margaret has informed us today that, after a few months of financial difficulties, and the passing of her father, she is finally back to work. Margaret expects to resume her loan repayments as funds will become more available thanks to the increased time she can now dedicate to her business.
On behalf of Margaret and all of us at Zidisha, thank you all for your support and patience.
Sincerely,
Analin Saturria McGregor
Communications Associate at Zidisha.

analinjsaturria    May 3, 2013

Dear lenders,
This is Analin Saturria McGregor, Communications Associate at Zidisha.
Margaret has shared the sad news of her father's passing last week with us today. He had been ill for a long time, but finally, could not overcome his health problems. Margaret has asked us to please bear with her as she and her family compose themselves and get back to their daily activities after this sad goodbye. We extend our condolences to Margaret's family and appeal to your understanding of this difficult circumstance. Thank you!

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 able to meet with Margaret Wambugu recently, and help her with a few questions regarding her account and her loan. Margaret is a hard-working woman, owning a salon and general shop at the heart of Karunga Centre, which is a small agricultural community some 12 kilometers North and East of Nakuru.

While I only had a brief meeting with Ms. Wambugu, I got the impression that she was quite appreciative of her loan, and eager to repay early and start a second loan. For this reason, she asked for my assistance in rescheduling her loan to increase the monthly payment. While Ms. Wambugu did not have much time to meet or talk, she made her wishes very clear with the help of translator Robert Ndungu, who is a Community Organizer for Zidisha in Karunga.

Thank you for your time, Margaret, and best wishes in your future work!

Margaret    Feb 7, 2013

Salon business is doing very well, as is general shop and farming income. Margaret is wanting to pay less in interest on her loan, is confident of ability to repay @ 4000 KSH per month. Will commit to paying on 28th of each month, as this is when money is available. -Neil DiMuccio, Kenya CRI, typing for Margaret with help of Robert Ndungu

dcembrola    Dec 5, 2012

December 4, 2012

Hello, my name is Dan Cembrola, one of Zidisha’s Kenya Client Relationship Managers. I am currently visiting Zidisha borrowers in Nakuru and its outskirts.

Today I visited Margaret at her salon in Karunga, a small village north of Nakuru. Before opening her salon five years ago, Margaret was a farmer. Her husband still manages their farm where they grow maize, tomatoes and other vegetables depending on the season. But, back in 2007, Margaret decided she needed to generate more income for her large family of five boys and one girl.

Margaret rented the first floor of a building in the town center where she opened her salon. There are now two other competing salons in the town of Karunga, but Margaret has a loyal customer base from her five years of competent service. Though Margaret never received formal training as a hairdresser after she completed secondary school, she says that she has been cutting hair her whole life.

The building that Margaret rents cost 2,000 Schillings per month. She says she has about fifteen to twenty customers per day and charges each customer twenty schillings for a haircut. At this rate, Margaret is able to pay off her rent expense in under a week. She operates the salon independently so she does not have any employees to compensate. She says that her business was going along fine prior to receiving the loan.

With her first loan, Margaret decided to invest in clothing, such as dresses for women and children and dress shirts for men. She also bought a supply of plastic storage containers which are widely used in Karunga. Lastly, she bought a refridgerator that she keeps stocked with cold beverages and hair clippers that she uses to cut men's hair. She still operates her salon on a daily basis but Margaret says that she now derives more income from the shop attached to the salon than from the salon itself.

She expects the salon and shop to be very busy in the coming weeks as people will be getting haircuts and new clothes prior to the Christmas festivities. Early to mid January will also be busy Margaret says as children will be getting ready to return to school. With her next loan, Margaret anticipates buying a new hair dryer and a few other appliances for the salon as well as restocking her shop with clothing and other items.

dcembrola    Dec 5, 2012

December 4, 2012

Hello, my name is Dan Cembrola, one of Zidisha’s Kenya Client Relationship Managers. I am currently visiting Zidisha borrowers in Nakuru and its outskirts.

Today I visited Margaret at her salon in Karunga, a small village north of Nakuru. Before opening her salon five years ago, Margaret was a farmer. Her husband still manages their farm where they grow maize, tomatoes and other vegetables depending on the season. But, back in 2007, Margaret decided she needed to generate more income for her large family of five boys and one girl.

Margaret rented the first floor of a building in the town center where she opened her salon. There are now two other competing salons in the town of Karunga, but Margaret has a loyal customer base from her five years of competent service. Though Margaret never received formal training as a hairdresser after she completed secondary school, she says that she has been cutting hair her whole life.

The building that Margaret rents cost 2,155 Schillings per month. She says she has about fifteen to twenty customers per day and charges each customer twenty schillings for a haircut. At this rate, Margaret is able to pay off her rent expense in under a week. She operates the salon independently so she does not have any employees to compensate. She says that her business was going along fine prior to receiving the loan.

With her first loan, Margaret decided to invest in clothing, such as dresses for women and children and dress shirts for men. She also bought a supply of plastic storage containers which are widely used in Karunga. Lastly, she bought a refridgerator that she keeps stocked with cold beverages and hair clippers that she uses to cut men's hair. She still operates her salon on a daily basis but Margaret says that she now derives more income from the shop attached to the salon than from the salon itself.

She expects the salon and shop to be very busy in the coming weeks as people will be getting haircuts and new clothes prior to the Christmas festivities. Early to mid January will also be busy Margaret says as children will be getting ready to return to school. With her next loan, Margaret anticipates buying a new hair dryer and a few other appliances for the salon as well as restocking her shop with clothing and other items.

Margaret    Jul 26, 2012

For this season the business is a bite low and Iam not able to raise the whole amount as desired so I would request you to allow me to be paying lower amount like 2155 for some time until when I be able to raise the total amount that is may be after the crops which are in farm will be harvested because by then the business will higher according to the history of our area concerning business. I would be able to continue paying well. for now I am getting very little income from my business which is only able to pay bills and the remaining is very little.I would be very glad if my request will be granted. Than you in advance.

SCortez    Feb 16, 2012

Dear Mrs.Margaret,I wish you the best in your endeavor. May you prosper and may you and your 6 children enjoy the blessing of good health. Has the dry season improved? Best Regards, Stephanie