Loan to purchase a sewing machine for clothing repair

Lidya

Nairobi, Kenya

100% repaid

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How it Works

Entrepreneur

Name

Lidya

Member since

April 2015

On-time repayments

143 installments • 56%

About Me

I am a 47 Year old Kenyan Lady. I am originally from Western Province but I live and Work in Nairobi. I studied at Tigoi Girls high School and Later went to Kisii Secretarial College. I am also a trained cook. After training, I worked at Shell petrol Station, Kisumu as a pump attendant. I later joined Total Petrol, Kapsabet in the Same Capacity. I then transferred to Total Kenya, Uganda road Eldoret as an Accounts clerk. After Leaving Total, i started a personal Business in which I deal in African Print garments called Kangas (A Famous form of dress in East Africa) and Women's wear. I love my business. I always look for means and ways to make it better. I am a hard-working and focused individual, with personal ambitions and goals to develop myself and at the same help the society that supports me.

My Business

The main focus of my business is dealing in Kangas. These are a form of dressing garb famous in Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda and Somalia. It's an African Imprinted garment that is used to sew dresses, headscarves, skirts and other female clothing used by women allover East Africa. It is also famous in public functions for the messages that are commonly imprinted on them. I source my Kangas from Mombasa Kenya. Most of these Kangas are Manufactured in Tanzanian Textile factories and some Kenyan EPZ (Export Processing Zones) at the coast. I buy a bundle that constitutes 12 Kangas at Ksh. 5000. I then carry and sell each Kanga in Nairobi at between Ksh.500 and Ksh. 600 depending on the bargaining power of the client. Each bundle fetches up to Ksh.2000 profit (approximately 22 USD). To be able to comfortably clear the transport and utility bills that I incur on the journey of bringing the Kanga from Mombasa, i buy at least five bundles, which I clear in not more than six weeks. My intention for the future is to start sourcing the material directly from Tanzania and start selling to other places in Kenya like the Rift Valley, Nyanza , Western Provinces and Kampala Uganda. This is because Lesos promote an East African tradition that is appreciated across communities and religions in the region. The Kanga is intertwined with the History of the Swahili Speaking Region of East Africa and Eastern Congo. The appreciation of the Kanga in this region is high due to this factor. This creates the potential wide market for the business.

Loan Proposal

Since I sell Lesos, Duvets and cloth, I usually get many inquiries on whether I sew or repair cloth. After serious consideration, I have come to the conclusion that I could make extra income with a sewing machine. I have made a point to pay for my younger brother's wife's sewing course and I would like to have her at the shop to take up the repair jobs. This way, I can capitalize on the extra income that will be generated. My Inlaw will also get a job too. Those sewing and cloth repair jobs, considering the number of inquiries I get per day could increase my Income by Ksh. 2000 per week (USD 20). A good electric powered machine by local prices will cost me Ksh.32,000($320). I will use USD.9000 (USD 90) on sewing cardigan, wool, chair and table. I will really appreciate an opportunity to get this into action through the aid of the Zidisha Team and the Lenders. Thank you in advance.