Interactive creation

Edson    Aug 7, 2017

Due to the election that is go to take place on 8 August the business has gone down. Many people are going back to the countryside in fear of repeat 2007 violence.

Edson    Aug 7, 2017

i would like to thank you lenders and zidisha for the money the you give me, i received 633.33$ . Below are some of the work that i have done.

Edson    Jul 19, 2017

Thank you very much Lenders and zidisha for believing in me. These are the items that i will be buying :
Tapestry (Mat Mesh) for 103.95$,
Balls of wool for 144.37$,
3 Scissor for 14.44$,
Crochet for 2.89$,
Soul Shoes for 144.37$ and Leso for 192.49$
with the money fund to me i will be able to grow the business and increase the business income which will help me pay rent for business and provide for my family through this high cost of living in our country.

Edson    Jul 11, 2017

I want to express my deep appreciation for the financial support you you lenders and zidisha offered me on my recent project. Your financial help has helped me a lot in bringing my business back to normal. The loan has helped me in buying the t-shirt stocks and uplifted the shop. The business is now doing well. There is an old saying that Friend in need is a Friend indeed and you truly fit well into this.
Once again thank you

Edson    Feb 15, 2017

Hi! Zidisha,
I am increase my payment because i have completed my advanced courses in programing and graphic design and also my project is doing well compared to the past two years .

Edson    Sep 4, 2015

Hi! leaders i like to reduce the my payments this because the business not good as per know the demand has gone down . But if the business pick up i will increase the payment. Other than the demand going down the business is ok.

Edson    Aug 4, 2015

First of all accept my sincere appreciation for funding my loan application.Thanking my lenders for helping me expand my business.
i have received the money 46,177 KES.
Thank you once more for funding my loan.

Edson    Jul 31, 2015

Thank you so much lenders.this second loan will be very beneficial to me in that first i give 10% to my church than will buy jeans trousers for men and women worth 146.660$ and buy printing T-shirt worth 68.4413$ , Ladies tops worth 48.9019$ and the remaining add to the rent.
This money will help me expand my business form printing and to selling to the retailers also. This one way of me showcasing my work to other people.
Thank you so much and God bless you all and zidisha.

Annah    Jul 21, 2015

Great work keep up all the Best.
Thank you
Ann Mumbi

Nikhil    Jun 27, 2015

This afternoon I met Edson Wandera, an enterprising graphic designer who hosted me at his business and home.

Edson and I met downtown and took a matatu to Lucky Summer, a quiet suburb in the eastern outskirts of Nairobi. The trip is one he makes regularly, as many of his customers are located downtown. As we travel farther from the city center, paved roads turning into dirt lanes, Edson points out landmarks as we pass by: the soap and automotive factories that employ many of Lucky Summer's residents, the school his younger sister attends, the sports complex he visits to swim and exercise with friends. We reach our destination and arrive at Edson's business, a small storefront at the very center of town.

The store actually has two operations: a movie and video game store stocked with the latest western action flicks, and a design firm that creates posters, flyers, banners, and business cards. The first is run by Edson's partner and friend Ken, while the graphic design work is all his own. The reason for the combination is income diversification: orders for design work might come a few times per week, whereas many customers visit the movie store each day for smaller but more regular orders.

Edson's design business got its early customers from nearby shops and churches, but recently he has been going after higher-paying customers from wealthier suburbs. As he showed me a slideshow of some of his creations, I noticed a number of menus and business cards for CBD, Westlands, and Lavington outfits. The designs are professional and elegant with a touch of creativity and a unique style - it is clear that design is a passion as well as a profession for Edson.

Edson was drawn to design because he loves making ordinary things look amazing. According to him, great designers have the ability to turn something that people usually only glance at to something they are awed by, something they consider in a different way.

Edson is currently paying abck his first Zidisha loan, which he used to buy a printer and expand into T-shirt design, a higher-margin business with bulk orders that can be especially profitable. When he saves enough money, his plan is to open a new shop - hopefully downtown - that will attract larger and wealthier clients.

Edson has confidence in the quality of his work, and he regularly gets referrals from previous customers. His biggest challenge is to develop a strong client base at the higher end of the market, and for that he needs accessible and sustainable sources of capital. In an economy with so many low-quality outfits, successful businesses in Nairobi need to appear professional and long-lasting to gain the trust of new customers.

Edson also graciously invited me into his family's house, just a few minutes walk from the store. I got to meet his large and loving family - his father, mother, sister, and niece Lavette pictured below. Edson is the third-born of five children, and around his family he is quiet but warm.

Edson's family has been settled in Nairobi for decades but originally comes from Busia, a region in the far west of Kenya. Their home village is only 5 kilometers from Uganda and an eight hour journey from Nairobi, a trip they make once or twice per year. They are members of the Luhya tribe, a Bantu group that (as Edson's farther Charles informs me) are known for their honesty, generosity, and love of chicken and fish! Thanks to Edson's mother and sister, I enjoyed a delicious meal of ugali and red beans with the family - in fact, the best ugali I have had in Kenya.

Edson, thank you for teaching me about your business and welcoming me into your home!

Edson    Apr 2, 2015

Dear Zidisha Team and Lenders, thank you for trusting me and giving me the loan. i did not write sooner because i had not yet bought the printer but i have it. Below is the printer and some of the first t-shirts. I am grateful and I am optimistic that the sales will be high and the quality of the t-shirts.Thank you once more and God bless you.

Edson    Jan 24, 2015

Thank you Lender for your support i personal appreciate for your kindness God Bless you All.