Jamal Hamou    Mar 8, 2018

Hello Youssoupha,

Do you plan on repaying this loan? Repayments help the community continue to offer loans to others. We depend on repayments to keep the cycle going. This is how we can all avoid the large interest charged by banks.

Let us know how you are doing.

Blessings,
Jamal

GalantnostS    Feb 1, 2015

Could we have an update on this loan, please?

klunpa01    Aug 20, 2014

Dear Lenders!!

I am pleased to inform you that Mr. Samb was able to pick up his loan funds on Monday, August 18th! My apologies for the delay in updates, we have been experiencing some technical difficulties with Ecobank in Senegal. Thanks again for your patience and your support of Zidisha's mission as we work with Mr. Samb!

Sincerely,
Paige Klunk
Senegal Client Liaison Intern

Youssoupha    Jul 25, 2014

Specialy thanks to Mguenter

Youssoupha    Jul 25, 2014

Dear my lenders,
I am very grateful to all the lenders that you give me. thank you very much.

klunpa01    Jul 12, 2014

This week Erin Eagan and I had the pleasure of meeting with Youssoupha Samb to discuss his business. This was not the first time I had met Youssou so I already knew of his outgoing and charismatic personality. Passionate for transportation our conversations ranged from local agriculture to the problems with large scale transportation operations in Senegal.

Youssou has completed his first loan with Zidisha and is currently seeking his second loan with us. He works full time with the SEM Fund, an American NGO in Dakar, as a manager of logistics and will be continuing his studies commencing in this January in business. The SEM Fund and Zidisha have a close history in Dakar as the SEM Fund was our first local field partner. Youssou remembers these days nostalgically: "I was the one that cut the checks for other Zidisha entrepreneurs!"

As he encountered Zidisha at his place of work, Youssou decided to try his hand at starting his own business. A friend taught him urban agricultural techniques, Youssou started his own garden at home lettuce which he sold to local restaurants. During the months from July to mid-October Senegal is plagued with heavy rains, destroying local livestock and vegetation. Unfortunately lasts years rain was extremely heavy, causing Youssou to lose most of his produce. He was thankful he had his job at SEM Fund so he could pay-off his loan.

Even though his first project did not work out, Youssou was not discouraged. He and another family member are commencing another project. Sweet, tropical juices are popular with the Senegalese but most made locally contain a lot of sugar. Overconsumption is creating a rise in diabetes in Senegal. Youssou sees this as an opportunity to create a healthier alternative. He has been pressing juices at home, and with recommendations and critiques by family members and friends he has created several recipes that contain less sugar. Overstocking his family refrigerator, his family does not have adequate space to store food. He is applying for a second loan to help purchase his own refrigerator and finish up the labeling on his products.

I had a pleasant visit with Youssou this week and I can't wait to see the progress of his business!

eaganlender    Jul 10, 2014

Dear lenders,

We had the pleasure of meeting Youssoupha this week about his Zidisha business with all natural juices. This has changed from his original goals of growing vegetables.

Youssa is working hard to make different types of juice to sell with no extra sugar added. From mango to bissap, he has his fridges filled with these bottles!

At this point, Youssoupha is working on the labeling of his product. The design is already developed, however he is still testing the different types of adhesive to use. This has proven to be the hardest part so far, due to the condensation.

Youssoupha is very grateful to all the lenders, and has assured us that he will meet the repayment schedule.

Below you can see Youssoupha working at SemFund where he works during the day to help manage social and ecological entrepreneurial goals.

Youssoupha    May 30, 2014

hi partners

I am writing to inform you that I would make the last payment next week.

Youssouph

klunpa01    Feb 8, 2014

Dear Lenders,

I am writing to inform you that we have been informed by Mr. Samb's community leader that he will be making a payment during this coming week. We will keep you informed of any more updates from Mr. Samb! Thanks for your continue support of Zidisha's mission.

Sincerely,
Paige
Senegal Liaison Intern
Zidisha, Inc.

Youssoupha    Sep 4, 2013

I'm having many difficulties achieving good sales of the lettuce in restaurants because of the rain. Since the beginning of the rainy season it rains on average twice a week and the lettuce is destroyed when there's a lot of water. The rain has destroyed a large part of my garden.

Translated by     Show original

je rencontre beaucoup de difficultés pour réaliser une bonne vente de la salade dans les restaurants a cause de la pluie. Depuis le début de la saison des pluies il pleut en moyenne 2 fois par semaines et les salades sont détruites quand il y'a beaucoup d'eau. La pluie a détruite une grande partie de mon jardin.

• mewesten    Sep 19, 2013

  Dear Youssoupha,
  I'm am disappointed to hear of your problems due to the weather. I guess there are times that we must acknowledge that nature rules.
  I hope you can persevere and salvage something of value, and then plant again.
  Wishing you well,
  Marvin

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mewesten    Jul 18, 2013

Hello youssoupha,
I received your first loan payment today. I appreciate that, and hope your business is doing well.
I am curious about your idea to supply fast food outlets. Were you able to implement your micro vegetable garden?
Sincerely,
Marvin (mewesten)

• Youssoupha    Jul 18, 2013

  Hello dear partner
  
  In fact I started my micro vegetable garden, but it did not work as the way I wanted ..
  When I started the micro garden I had a contract to work for two months with an Brithanique NGO outside of Dakar. Nobody took care of the garden during my lack.
    I worked for an NGO called Solar AID. I was in Kaolack and Fatick area for 2 months. We distribute solar lamps to student who lives in non-electrified communities.
  On my return I found that a large part of micro garden was destroyed because of lack of maintenance and also because of early rains.
  this is because of what it's my late repayment.
  I started and I hope that everything will be better in the future
  
  Sorry again

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  • mewesten    Jul 18, 2013

    Hello youssoupha,
    I understand that growing a garden can be risky, especially when you cannot be there to tend it. (I had a large vegetable garden last year, and lost everything when animals went over and under a fence and ate everything except for two squashes.)
    That you continue to pay back the Zidisha loan anyway says good things about your character. I hope that you are able to earn money and start a new business.
    Marvin

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  • mewesten    Jul 18, 2013

    Hello youssoupha,
    I understand that growing a garden can be risky, especially when you cannot be there to tend it. (I had a large vegetable garden last year, and lost everything when animals went over and under a fence and ate everything except for two squashes.)
    That you continue to pay back the Zidisha loan anyway says good things about your character. I hope that you are able to earn money and start a new business.
    Marvin

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• Youssoupha    Jul 18, 2013

  Hello dear partner
  
  In fact I started my micro vegetable garden, but it did not work as the way I wanted ..
  When I started the micro garden I had a contract to work for two months with an Brithanique NGO outside of Dakar. Nobody took care of the garden during my lack.
    I worked for an NGO called Solar AID. I was in Kaolack and Fatick area for 2 months. We distribute solar lamps to student who lives in non-electrified communities.
  On my return I found that a large part of micro garden was destroyed because of lack of maintenance and also because of early rains.
  this is because of what it's my late repayment.
  I started and I hope that everything will be better in the future
  
  Sorry again

  Log in to reply • Share
• Youssoupha    Jul 18, 2013

  Hello dear partner
  
  In fact I started my micro vegetable garden, but it did not work as the way I wanted ..
  When I started the micro garden I had a contract to work for two months with an Brithanique NGO outside of Dakar. Nobody took care of the garden during my lack.
    I worked for an NGO called Solar AID. I was in Kaolack and Fatick area for 2 months. We distribute solar lamps to student who lives in non-electrified communities.
  On my return I found that a large part of micro garden was destroyed because of lack of maintenance and also because of early rains.
  this is because of what it's my late repayment.
  I started and I hope that everything will be better in the future
  
  Sorry again

  Log in to reply • Share
• Youssoupha    Jul 18, 2013

  Hello dear partner
  
  In fact I started my micro vegetable garden, but it did not work as the way I wanted ..
  When I started the micro garden I had a contract to work for two months with an Brithanique NGO outside of Dakar. Nobody took care of the garden during my lack.
    I worked for an NGO called Solar AID. I was in Kaolack and Fatick area for 2 months. We distribute solar lamps to student who lives in non-electrified communities.
  On my return I found that a large part of micro garden was destroyed because of lack of maintenance and also because of early rains.
  this is because of what it's my late repayment.
  I started and I hope that everything will be better in the future
  
  Sorry again

  Log in to reply • Share
• Youssoupha    Jul 18, 2013

  Hello dear partner
  
  In fact I started my micro vegetable garden, but it did not work as the way I wanted ..
  When I started the micro garden I had a contract to work for two months with an Brithanique NGO outside of Dakar. Nobody took care of the garden during my lack.
    I worked for an NGO called Solar AID. I was in Kaolack and Fatick area for 2 months. We distribute solar lamps to student who lives in non-electrified communities.
  On my return I found that a large part of micro garden was destroyed because of lack of maintenance and also because of early rains.
  this is because of what it's my late repayment.
  I started and I hope that everything will be better in the future
  
  Sorry again

  Log in to reply • Share