Jannet    Jun 13, 2023

Through Zidisha my business has grown from Mama mboga to grocery. Zidisha has helped me pay university fee for my daughter and now I still want to expand my business further. Zidisha is real.

Kerry Tiedeman    Feb 21, 2015

My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting Jannet Kanini in Ongata Rongai, a neighborhood of Nairobi.

Jannet owns a store that sells all sorts of clothing items as well as fruit. Her ultimate goal is to have a store with so much inventory, there's no need to go anywhere else. Immediately upon meeting her, you can tell she is a clever and well respected woman in the community. When I first arrived, she was meeting with friends and neighbors to offer them advice.

Jannet began her business in March of 2012 when she received her first loan from Zidisha to increase the inventory of her store. She began with ladies undergarments and has expanded into almost everything else. Before opening her business, Jannet worked at Beacon, a center for those suffering from HIV in the neighborhood. She told me that she chose to quit the center to start the business because she felt a need to explore and think outside the box, which was too difficult to do after 8 hours a day at her job.

Jannet and I easily fell into a convesration of local foods, music, and customs. A lady came by to sell her a Mukimo, which looks like a green tamale, but in fact is a type of puree with potato, corn and local greens. She bought one and offered me one. When I told her I was in the mood for Chapati, a type of pancake that they eat here with stew, she ran out to ask the hotel nearby if they had some. We sat and ate our lunches together, and when I asked what she did in her spare time, she told me she sang for her church choir, where her husband is the pastor. I was fortunate enough that she sang for me, first in English and then Swahili. What a beautiful voice! Jannet says that her other ambition is to create a CD, which is currently in the works. I told her I would be the first to buy one.

We sat for a while longer like that exchanging stories, talking about her children (she has two) who when they were younger, Jannet used to take them to the Nairobi National Park. She said it was a day to have a picnic, relax, and answer the questions of small children. Well, Jannet I think you are a woman with most of the answers.

evinpa    Sep 27, 2013

Hello Jannet,

I see that you are in Nairobi. Having heard about the terrorist attack in the news, I'm sending you wishes of peace.
I hope you and your family members are all safe.

Thinking of you.
Evinpa

rhagen    Jul 31, 2013

Jambo Jannet!
Hope all is well on your side, your family is healthy and that the rainy season is not causing too much trouble.
I have a question: do you know how George Kabuki is doing? I have not heard from him since late mid April. I am asking since you are his mentor.
Best,

Richard

Jannet    Jul 24, 2013

hi zidisha team did you know that my life is taking a u turn because of you guys? i am really grateful for your investment in my life.God bless u big

• evinpa    Jul 24, 2013

  Hi Jannet,
  
  I am happy to hear things are going well for you. I wish you continued success in life and business.
  
  Evinpa

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  • Jannet    Oct 7, 2013

    thanks Evnipa for your concern, we are all fine and safe,only that i was in the upcountry and i came yesterday.

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    • evinpa    Oct 7, 2013

      Hello Jannet,
      
      Thank you for your reply. I am glad to hear that you are safe. I hope you had a nice time away.
      
      Best wishes for continued success of your business.
      
      Evinpa

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Jannet    Jul 4, 2013

Again i appreciate your support my lenders

Jannet    Dec 17, 2012

thanks zidisha people i was able to buy some weaving materials for my business and the balance i restocked the business and am-optimistic that the carpets will make a sale after i take them to the market

Jannet    Nov 29, 2012

Thanks again to all my lenders, I'm so grateful to what you have done to me,i promise to abide by rules and regulations of Zidisha.God bless you Great people!!!!!!

Jannet    Nov 27, 2012

Hi traciyoshiyama,
I'm so grateful for the great work that you have done to me,again i would like to thank my lenders in advance for their sacrificial support towards me,may God bless u abundantly.
Jannet kanini

traciyoshiyama    Nov 27, 2012

Picture 1 - Jewelry at shop
Picture 2 - Wooden carvings made by Jannet's nephew
Picture 3 - Necklace I bought from Jannet's shop

traciyoshiyama    Nov 27, 2012

November 25, 2012

Hello, my name is Traci Yoshiyama, Zidisha’s Kenya Client Relationship Manager. I am currently visiting Zidisha borrowers in and around Nairobi.

Transcending from her professional life into her personal, Jannet Kanini’s boundless altruism stretches beyond the four walls of Beacon of Hope, an NGO where she is currently employed, into Kaninja Enterprises. Having worked for eight years at Beacon of Hope, Jannet became trained in the art of weaving and jewelry making, now providing tutelage to women who are living with and affected by HIV/AIDS. Having a passion for the arts and an even deeper dedication to the empowerment of women, Jannet started Kaninja Enterprises a year and a half ago.

Only a hop, skip, and jump away from Beacon of Hope lies Kaninja Enterprises, a modest room, doubling as a shop and workspace. It is here that Jannet provides employment opportunities for graduating artisans of BOH, supplying them with materials to make Kenyan crafts and various avenues for selling them. Weaved carpets and shawls hang on the walls of Kaninja, while beaded jewelry and bags lay in neat rows on the floor. A large loom rests against the back wall, displaying a half finished intricately designed carpet. Deep in concentration, a woman works meticulously with sheep wool, Jannet later telling me that she is trying out a new design for a carpet. Currently employing one woman on a full-time basis, Jannet would like to provide more women with consistent employment opportunities in the future. Having a personal interest in livelihood projects, I was thrilled to see the two women working at Kaninja Enterprises not only obtain financial security, but also gain personal fulfillment out of their talents.

Although there is little interest amongst Kenyans, promoting her goods in craft exhibitions has proved to be successful. Jannet also hopes to begin online marketing, allowing her to build her customer base overseas. In addition to woven crafts, she has expanded her supply by selling Maasai woodcarvings crafted by her nephew. In order to supplement her workshop, Jannet sells shoes, clothes, and accessories to the community. As a new member of Zidisha, her first loan would like to be used to buy supplies, such as wool, dye to color the yarn, beads, and materials to maintain the loom.

Getting a tour of her shop and Beacon of Hope, Jannet also invites me to her home for a cup of tea and to introduce me to her three daughters. The weight of Jannet’s kindness unraveled even more as we walked towards her home, for as she speaks about her family, I learn that she has is adopted a Maasai girl who was ready to be married at the age of thirteen. Putting matters into her own hands, Jannet included her as part of the family, assisting her with receiving an education, and most importantly removing her from the injustice she was soon to face. My morning with Jannet only reinforces my belief that although we sometimes tend to view developing countries as places where challenges surpass successes, I have met too many people that act otherwise. Jannet, welcome to Zidisha and I wish you the best on funding your loan!

To view more pictures of my visit wit Jannet, visit talkingstory.posterous.com/...

*The last picture of Jannet and her two employees sporting different crafts that they make a sell.