Purchase of solar - powered lantern lamps for fishing

Leonard

Mbita Township, Kenya

100% repaid

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How it Works

Entrepreneur

Name

Leonard

Member since

March 2015

On-time repayments

27 installments • 11%

About Me

I am Leonard Otieno, I was born in 1959 at Nyamanga Village in Mbita Constituency of Homa Bay County in the republic of Kenya. I did my primary education in mid 70,s thereafter engaged in fishing business. I am married with seven children and all going to school. My home village borders Uganda and the main economic activity is fishing among Lake Victoria. Currently I am the beach leader of Tabla Beach Management Unit (BMU), I have been living in this beach community ever since I was a child as i also went to school in the same place.

Being the 1st born in a family of six siblings, I grew up in a hardship and had to leave school to help my parents fend for food to feed the large family. In my free time, I do participate in conflict resolution and community building.

My Business

I joined fishing industry as a young person immediately after my primary education, I was working hard because I knew my future life depended on fishing as I did have good education back ground. After working for 14 years for different people I used my savings to purchase my own fishing boat and fishing gears. I started with one boat but currently I own two boats both fully operational. One boat fully operational costs US$ 1,350. I deal with catching the small fish 'omena' and it also has some challenges.

In average I earn weekly income of US$120, and then I pay workers and other expenses with US$70 I then remain with US$50; I use part of this to pay for my children school fee and family upkeep.

Loan Proposal

I want to buy two new solar - powered lanterns for fishing as two of my kerosene-powered lanterns lamps are worn out. the new lanterns will increase my daily catch as well as enhancing the safety of my fishermen who will able to go into deep waters where large amount of fish is found. I had purchased some materials for the same and your support will boost me a lot in accomplishing this project. The total cost for two new solar-powered lanterns is US$100. With a new lanterns lamps and fishing gears which I bought my income will increase tremendously.