Monica    Dec 5, 2012

Hello Lenders,

I had rescheduled my loan, after I paid school fees for my children I had to have an eye operation which cost 18,000 Kenyan Schillings. I thought that because of this setback I would not be able to complete the payment of my loan until 2014. I have now reopened my shop and will sell the crops from my farm this month. I will then replant and have new crops to sell in March. I am rescheduling my loan to complete payment by July of 2013. Thank you for your support.

Monica

(Message dictated to Dan Cembrola, Zidisha Client Relationship Manager)

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 Monica at her business in Karunga, a small but growing village north of Nakuru. Monica has owned her general shop for three years here. It is one of the few general stores that have cropped up here in recent years to cater to the everyday needs of the growing population. The available inventory in her shop consists of plastic storage containers, foodstuffs, clothing, phone credit cards, and other general supplies.

With her first loan, in addition to restocking her inventory with general supplies, Monica bought new clothes as opposed to secondhand clothes that are also commonly sold. Clothing is Monica's most profitable item. She makes as much as 200 Kenyan Schillings in profit per item of clothing sold. Monica usually purchases clothes from the markets in Nakuru. Occasionally she will send her husband on the three hour trip to Nairobi where a larger selection of clothing is available and prices are generally cheaper than in Nakuru. Monica currently rents her store for 2,000 Schillings per month. She hopes to expand her business with her next loan and move into to larger shop that would cost 3,500 Schillings per month.

In addition to her general shop, Monica also maintains a three acre farm with her husband. She used a portion of her loan to plow her land and to buy seeds and fertilizer. On her farm, Monica cultivates maize, beans, cabbage, and potatoes. Monica plans on selling the majority of her harvest this month as the village prepares for Christmas festivities. Monica currently has one child in a public primary school and hopes with the proceeds from her shop and farm that she will be able to send her second child to a private primary school when he is of age.

Monica    Sep 17, 2012

my business have gone down due to the season we are in and so the small amount which I got have been spent to pay school for my children which also have gone up due to the teachers strike in the country. The private schools have raised the school fees, it is because now they are having many children ,even those from public school are now joining the private school because they still on despite the teachers strike.I would like to change my installment for now to be able organize my self.Thank you.

Hope2012    Jun 8, 2012

Thanks for the early repayment. I'm glad things are going well. Best wishes