James    Nov 12, 2013

I have been able to chat with John and he says he has some difficulties paying, his loan due to low business but has hope to clear as its high season in his business and, i hope by DEC he should be able to make some payments .

analinjsaturria    Aug 13, 2013

Dear lenders,

This is Analin Saturria McGregor, Country Liaison Manager at Zidisha. I lead the efforts of our Country Liaison Interns in working with our Volunteer Mentors in-country to follow up with our clients in arrears.
John has reached out to us to further evaluate his options to resume repayments given his situation. As you've probably noticed, John is several months behind in his loan repayments. He has explained to us that the influx of tourists in his area has decreased significantly, and therefore his income has suffered due to the lack of activity.
In developing countries, informal providers to the tourism industry are especially vulnerable. The lack of demand may push a small business owner to close their doors altogether until peak season, in order to avoid draining his resources and be able to compete when demand is higher. We've provided John with instructions on how to propose a new repayment schedule that better reflects his current financial reality and still allows him to make loan repayments without compromising his family's quality of life.
We'll keep you informed as we hear more. Thank you for your support!

John    Apr 17, 2013

Dear Lenders.

Its been time since i last spoke to you all.I'm very happy that mys Business is really doing well.I have been out of town but am now back.My apologies for late submission for loan,but i will rectify my calender.I wish you all happy moments.Everything now is okay.Cheers all.God Bless

JackiePAndTomT    Mar 15, 2013

You're now 2 months late with repayments and we haven't heard from you in a while. Is everything okay?

• John    Apr 17, 2013

  Hey Jackie.
  
  Sorry for this.I pay every month more amount than am supposed to pay so that i recover this amount shortest spell possible.I'm happy about you.Thanks a lot and may God Bless you and your family.

  Log in to reply • Share

JackiePAndTomT    Feb 14, 2013

How's everything going? Do you know when you'll be able to start repayments?

JackiePAndTomT    Dec 16, 2012

Hi John,
I was wondering how your business was going. I think it's really cool the last time you posted some pictures from your adventures and was wondering if you could do it again. Thanks!

• John    Dec 18, 2012

  Hey Jackie.
  Good to hear that.I received the loan and i really appreciated.I finished renovating my office have been on several adventure trips...I wish i could upload more photos...

  

  

  

  Log in to reply • Share

  • JackiePAndTomT    Dec 18, 2012

    These are awesome! Thank you!

    Log in to reply • Share

    • John    Dec 19, 2012

      Nothing is as good as getting these animals in their wild relaxing...We had a punture in the forest while tracking Chimpanzees.Female Chimpanzees were attacking us,but were kept off by males.After we had finished replacing our spare Tyre,they started to stone us and we sped off.

      

      

      Log in to reply • Share

Gastao    Nov 17, 2012

Hi John,
I'm very happy that you did get your loan. I, decided to loan to you after I saw a national geographic documentary about this amazing place: www.sheldrickwildlifetrust....

Be sure that you use this as a place to visit. It's near you, in Nairobi, and it seems very nice.

I have a site of photography, if you have time, give a look: www.photoburst.net

I hope that one day I could see you in Kenya. Regards from Portugal

• John    Nov 20, 2012

  Thanks a lot Gastao.Im also very happy.I havent received the loan yet.I actually live near The Nairobi National Park.In this park,there is The David Sheldrick wildlife Trust.I have been there severally and always pass there when am going to and from work daily.It's a great place and i always get visitor who want to visit it.Thanks a lot.

  Log in to reply • Share
• John    Dec 19, 2012

  Nothing is as good as getting these animals in their wild relaxing...We had a punture in the forest while tracking Chimpanzees.Female Chimpanzees were attacking us,but were kept off by males.After we had finished replacing our spare Tyre,they started to stone us and we sped off.

  

  

  

  Log in to reply • Share

traciyoshiyama    Nov 16, 2012

Congratulations John! I am very happy for you! Best of luck with Topman Tours!

• John    Nov 19, 2012

  Hey Tracy.Sorry for late reply.Have been away on a Trip.It was fun to hike Mt Kenya.I m also really happy to see loan has been met.I'm yet to receive,i am also through with office renovation.How have you been.?I will post the photos of my Safari to Mt Kenya with an Australian couple.May God Bless You.Much much Regards

  Log in to reply • Share

traciyoshiyama    Nov 3, 2012

October 31, 2012

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

“Life in Kenya is hard.” I hear this statement often, though never as a complaint, but merely said with matter-of-factness. And although this is true for many, it is hardly a deterrence to persevere. But while the entrepreneurial spirit soars in Kenya, this unbridled enthusiasm comes with many challenges. Families struggle due to lack of business know-how and financial management skills and risk of unavoidable circumstances are high. To be a successful entrepreneur anywhere in the world takes not only passion, but also careful planning. Today I met a true entrepreneur in every sense of the word, Zidisha borrower John Maina, who turned a life that presented many obstacles into something of a success story.

Despite being orphaned at the age of three, losing his sponsor during his first year of high school, and having the responsibility of supporting his siblings with wages made from a janitorial position, John became the founder of the rapidly growing tour company, Topman Safaris and Travel. Although only operating for four months, Topman Safaris has already accomplished so much. Through diligent web marketing, John has spread the word about Topman, receiving clients from all over the world, including places like Turkey, Oman, India, and Spain. He has even partnered with several tour companies in Tanzania, Zanzibar, and Seychelles, expanding his tours beyond Kenya. Never tiring of visiting the picturesque sites of Kenya, John has already made over twenty trips to the Maasai Mara. Proven to be a profitable business thus far, John has been able to start a salon for his wife and also purchase a plot of land.

Like any good businessman, John is constantly searching for innovative ways to expand his company. Growing up amongst the exotic flora and fauna of Mount Kenya, he witnessed the destruction of wildlife on a daily basis, at the time not understanding the importance of ecological conservation. It is because of this exposure that John would like to turn Topman Safaris and Travel into an ecotourism operator. Coming December he will do just that. In addition to becoming an eco-friendly company, John became a Zidisha member. With his loan, he would like to continue to renovate his office, making it more aesthetically pleasing and professional for his clients. Currently having to rent a vehicle for safari excursions, John would also like to purchase his own van, allowing him to save thousands of shillings each month. With a bit of savings, he is also planning on attending the ITB Berlin in March, the world’s largest travel and tourism trade fair.

Seeking opportunities every which way, John is an inspiration to those wanting to improve their lives through entrepreneurship. I am happy to see that Zidisha is one mechanism that can assist him with his endeavors. Planning a trip to Kenya? Visit John’s website at topmansafaris.com.

John    Nov 1, 2012

Dear Lenders...I m really happy to have seen your kind contributions towards my wish.I really admire that.Sometimes all we need is a little help.A little help that saves great time.Just to let you know of my latest trip to Masai Mara on a Safari with clients.I posted some pictures on my page that you may find of the wild.
www.facebook.com/TopmanSafari


Thanks a lot and May God Bless You.

John    Oct 27, 2012

Dear Lenders,im happy to see you have contributed towards making my wish.Thanks alot

• John    Nov 14, 2012

  Hey lenders,Thanks a lot for your contribution.I hope this time we shall beat the deadline before the bids are closed again.Thanks very much

  

  

  

  Log in to reply • Share