Carolyne
Nairobi, Kenya
100% repaid
Name
Carolyne
Member since
February 2015
On-time repayments
17 installments • 41%
I grew up in a Christian family, going to boarding school at the age of ten. Being the last born in a family of thirteen, life wasn't quite rosy because my parents retired when I was just eight years.
I had to start looking after myself (in terms of personal needs) by selling sugarcane during the weekends. I had saved up a little cash (50 kes) towards this. I was the only one at home with my parents. I borrowed a little money from a friend, bought vegetable seeds and started farming. This turned out to be a lucrative venture then, got tenders to supply from two schools in my area.
I come from western Kenya, the most productive area with good weather conditions that favoured my venture.
After college and no job, I got a job, got married and later separated, leaving with my 3 children. I needed a side hustle and that's when I trained in transcription.
I lost my first born daughter just four months ago. She was in college studying culinary art. My other children are Walter, who is now in std 7 and wants to be a pilot while Michelle, the little one is obsessed with being a model in future.
I love having a quiet time with my laptop, reading about things, mostly technical like crotcheting, cooking ideas and recipes and even design. I actually weave/crotchet mats and sweaters when I have time.
Aside from doing transcription at night, I sell mats that I crotchet myself. I do this on order. People love my mats because they are not just hand made, they are also custom made to the customers needs.
Transcription, I am good at that too. I deliver quality transcripts to my customers and they reward me by giving me more work.
I chose these two kinds of businesses because they pay well and they teach me to be disciplined especially when it comes to delivery time.
I make about $350 on transcription and about 10,000 - 15,000 Kes by selling mats every month.
I use the profits to pay bills - school fees and upkeep. I have a small dress shop that is slowly growing. I intend to expand the mat business and increase my income on transcription.
God willing, by the end of the year I will be buying land to venture back into farming.
I want to save the amount to buy a laptop worth $450. I am renting a laptop now and it costs me a lot. With my own laptop I will be able to save on expenses and work more times. I will also be able to have my own blog to showcase the mats that I crotchet and sell. By doing so, my market will grow and my mat business as well. If I make more profit, then I know my children will have a better future and I also will achieve my long term dream of owning a hotel.
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Neutral
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Negative
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Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$22.00
Date disbursed
Sep 11, 2016
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
6 weeks
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