Margaret

Rongai, Nakuru, Kenya

65% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Margaret

Member since

November 2012

On-time repayments

18 installments  •  28%

About Me

My name is Margaret Njeri Kamau. I am a Kenyan citizen. I was born in 1971 at Kitiri Village of Nyandarua County. I was raised in a family of eight children; three girls and five boys. I went to Mitamaiyu Primary School in 1980 where I schooled up to Standard Seven. I then transferred to Kitogo Primary where I finished in 1987. I joined Magumu High School in 1988 and finished in 1991. After completion of my Secondary School I was employed at Havake Enterprise as a sales lady until 1996. I later joined Dairy Training Institute (D.T.I) College - Naivasha for a Diploma in Dairy Technology in 1997. In June 1999, upon completion of the course, I was employed by Irala Dairies (Rongai) as a Yogurt/Mala/Culture Maker. I left Irala Dairies in 2001 and started a small Bookshop which I later converted it to M-pesa Shop, where commodity involved is Money. This is so because the transactions involve deposits and withdrawals since it offers Mobile Banking Services. I am married, with three kids, all Schooling. I am a full resident of Rongai – Rongai District, Nakuru County since we have settled on plot we purchased and developed with my husband.

The earnings I get help me increase the stock (Money) thus helping me generate more earnings. They also help me improve the living standards of my family. It is also from the earnings that we were able to combine with my husband’s earnings to acquire the plot where we are living. I am sure more is on the way if I can get financial assistance from other sources.

My Business

I am current running M-Pesa Business at the Centre of Rongai Township. I normally serve an average of 50 customers per day. The number of transactions and amount transacted determine the amount (commission) I get at the end of the month from Safaricom Mobile Services Company who introduced these services. On average I get a commission of Ksh. 14,000. Since the business involves money deposits and withdrawals, my stock is money and again this dictates the number of customers served and amount transacted. I normally operate with Ksh. 50,000. Any addition on this means additional in commission hence increasing my net income. Expenses total to Ksh. 4,000 i.e. House Rent, Electricity and Water Bills. My monthly net income is Ksh. 10,000.

Since business offers banking services, it operates just like Banks hence the demand is high since this is banking services brought closer to the people.

My customers prefer my premises due to the kind of services offered and how they are offered. Since I believe that ‘customer is always right’ I have to handle them with a lot of care. I must use filtered and polite language to them. They really enjoy when I am serving them. I have a Waiting Bench where they normally queue while I am serving others, an indication that they are happy with my services.

The main challenge I get is from conmen/women who pretend to be from the Service Provider (Safaricom) and try to do fraud us money.

Loan Proposal

Since my business offers banking services & operates just like Banks i.e. through deposits and withdrawals, I am going to pump all the money there. This is because in M-pesa business, the amount of stock is the amount of money one has. This money will automatically raise the number of transaction I will be making per day. The more the money the more the number of transactions and definitely this will double the commission I’ll be getting every month. In short the commission is determined by the number of transactions made (both deposits and withdrawals) and amount transacted per transaction. Since I normally operate with Ksh. 50,000, any addition on this means an increase in my net income.

Feedback

None

None

None

Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$500.00

Date disbursed

Mar 9, 2013

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

19 months

Lenders

C

CWS

Huntington beach, ca, United States

russell

leicester, United Kingdom

Sundstroms

Falun, Sweden

SHRFamily

Vancouver, Canada

pentatonicscale

Niiza-shi, Japan

Namaste250

Pittsford, United States

Ingela

Falun, Sweden

S

Southern

Oberursel, Germany, Germany

rfriedenberg

New Jersey, United States

ohlandtmann

Moorestown, United States

Ask Margaret a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • Margaret    May 14, 2015

    Hi Lenders,
    I asked you about the possibility of resuming the repayment of my loan starting next month but I never got the feedback. I will be very happy to hear that it is possible since so far Zidisha is the way to go. I will be very grateful if you give me a chance to continue relating with you.
    Yours sincerely,
    Margaret Kamau.

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    • pentatonicscale    May 14, 2015

      Of course we are looking forward to your starteng repayments again, and we hope your business is good and you and your family stays healthy. Thanks for writing!

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  • Margaret    May 10, 2015

    Dear Lenders,
    First of all I would like pass my sincere apologies to you for the abrupt stoppage of servicing my loan without any communication. Though I had some difficulties in repayment of my loan due to some harsh situations (diseases) in my family, I happened to leave the country suddenly for an assignment in United States. Even I had to rely on well users to make it possible. Anyway, now am back and would like to continue with the repayment of my loan starting next month since as I promised I want to continue associating with you because you have proved to be true friends. I honor you for the good work you are doing that has made a very positive difference in lives of many. Thank you.
    Margaret Kamau.

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  • Vincent    May 15, 2014

    Hi lender l have communicated with Mrs. Margaret Kamau and she has promise to make the due payment as soon as she can. The delay was due to financial constrains she has at the moment.

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  • Margaret    Feb 15, 2014

    Hi Zidisha,

    Thanks for the good work you are doing to us and particularly to me. The truth of the matter is that at the moment I am not intending to reschedule the loan repayment as such, but I have a problem with my sim-card and I understand the payments can only be done through the same number I used when applying. Therefore, the monthly repayments remain the same and also the repayment period to avoid the addition in the interest since very soon the sim-card will be okay.

    Please assist.

    Yours truly,
    Margaret Kamau.

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  • Margaret    Oct 12, 2013

    Dear Zidisha Group,

    I Salute you in the name of our Living Father. Secondly, receive my sincere apology for the failure of honoring my commitment to resume the repayment of my loan on 10th October 2013. This is due to unavoidable circumstances and the unexpected. After the hospitalization and the discharge of my husband, I expected things to normalize very fast but it never happened since he is still under medication and the process is very demanding financially. I tried my level best to avoid rescheduling my loan for a second time but this has not worked. I had some hope of resuming the payment in October but it seems the time is running out. Please, I kindly request you to allow me reschedule the loan for the second time hoping that the situation will improve soon. I would like to assure you as I promised earlier I will do all what I can to clear the loan to avoid being black listed as a defaulter when I ask for more assistance in future. God bless you all.

    Margaret Kamau.

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    • pentatonicscale    Oct 12, 2013

      I will be praying that he gets better and your life can stabilize. Thank you so much for keeping us informed.

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      • Margaret    Oct 22, 2013

        Thank you for the feedback and your concern. This makes me confirm that I am with the right and very caring people. The assistance you are offering us has never been realized from anyone else or any other group. You are not ordinary people in this. Keep it up. You are not just a lending group but a real friend.

        It is my great hope that life will really stabilize soon. When things don’t work as we expected or planned we should understand that God’s plans never fail and move on. There must be a good reason for every happening. I will never lose hope even when things get tough.

        Margaret Kamau.

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  • Margaret    Sep 6, 2013

    Hello Zidisha Group,

    Children are now back to school for the final term of the year. They now give us time to think outside the box and try and fix some of the areas that were affected especially financially. Though this is not the end of the road, the break normally gives us (parents) a bit of relief and a chance to reorganize ourselves. This is the same reason that I decided to request for a break from you in repaying my loan to reorganize myself and then move back to the track. It is a big pleasure that I found a real friends in Zidisha that have made me move some miles within the short time we have been together. It would be tougher if it were not for you. You came to my rescue and I am hoping that very soon I will regain my strength and do my part as you have already done your part. I will never let you down since you did not let me down when I requested for your assistance. Thank you all and God bless you.

    Margaret Kamau.

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  • Margaret    Aug 12, 2013

    My husband was hospitalized at Nakuru Provincial General Hospital (Annex) last month and also underwent through an operation where we happened to spend a substantial amount of money. He is currently recovering and doing well but more is still needed in the process. I promise to resume the repayment from October 2013. I am going to try my level best to make the repayment period remain as scheduled by either increasing the monthly installment or even paying twice in a month to avoid the extra interest. All the same, if this doesn’t work, I still promise to fully pay the loan plus the addition interest if the period is extended. I am sorry for any inconvenience. Thank you in advance.

    Yours,
    Margaret Kamau.

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  • Namaste250    Jun 16, 2013

    Hi Margaret,

    I hope the business has continued to improve and your children are off to a good start in school.

    Best wishes, Ann

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    • Margaret    Jun 24, 2013

      Hi Ann,

      The business is not yet back to where it was but it is slowly improving. But since I am doing all what it takes to make sure all is well, I am hoping that very soon it will pick, even if not exactly to where it was but somewhere close to that.

      My children started the term well and they are doing well. They have done their mid-term exam and I am proud their performance was quite good.

      Margaret Kamau

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  • Namaste250    May 13, 2013

    Hi Margaret,
    Sometimes it's possible to be too responsible. I'll make sure your information is updated. Your repayment under these difficult conditions will only have a positive effect on future applications.

    Has the business started to improve a little? We need to keep that bench full.

    Best wishes, Ann

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    • Margaret    May 17, 2013

      Hello Ann,

      I am a happy woman since my information has been updated. Thank you for assuring me that my repayment during these difficult times will have a positive effect on my future applications. You make me feel stronger and have courage to move on. The business has improved slightly but this again give me hope that normalcy will eventually return. The bench has started getting occupants but not to the expected level. I am hoping for the best. Have good times as you continue helping the needy.

      Margaret Kamau.

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  • Margaret    May 13, 2013

    Hi Lenders,

    This is to bring to your attention that I started repaying my loan on 10/05/2013 as I promised but this has not been reflected even on my loan page. What happened? It shows the first installment is overdue which is not the case. This might even have negative effect on my future applications. Please let me know what to do or update my account immediately to avoid any inconveniences in future.

    Margaret Kamau

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    • pentatonicscale    May 13, 2013

      Don't panic! It usually takes several days for the money and information to transfer to the US and then show up in dollars on your page and our accounts. 3-5 days seems to be the norm, and if you paid just before the weekend it might take a bit longer. This is normal.

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      • Margaret    May 17, 2013

        Hi Friends

        Finally the account has been updated and I am very happy. I thought this will affect my credibility which could deny me the points I am supposed to earn if the repayment was done on time. I am also impressed by a slight positive change on the number of customers I am serving every day. This gives me hope that things will return to normal with time. Continue doing the good work you have engaged in and God bless you.

        Margaret Kamau.

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  • Namaste250    May 11, 2013

    Dear Margaret,
    Long-term, there doesn't seem to be a reason your business won't come back. I will listen to your fellow business owners, and believe this is only temporary, and business will actually improve. But it must be very frustrating to have the extra Zidisha funds, but a decrease in transactions. I am impressed that even though these times are tough, you squeezed out the payment. You are very responsible.

    Of course your children will do well in school. They have a very smart mother.
    Keep well and hopeful.
    Ann

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  • Margaret    May 11, 2013

    Hi Zidisha Group,

    I hope you are all doing well? Although current the situation is no that friendly, I squeezed myself and started my loan repayment yesterday 10/05/2013 as I promised. The repayment has not yet been reflected on my loan page. I am worried I might be put under the category of defaulters.

    I am hoping very soon things will return to normal and I start serving the same number of customers I used to serve or even more. There is a lot of hope since they have run away. It is only that we are from a very demanding season where there was a lot of spending. I wish you the best.

    Margaret Kamau

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    • pentatonicscale    May 13, 2013

      Margaret, I believe that God is faithful to those who are faithful to their promises. So I am praying that He will give you what you need. Thank you for being faithful to your promise.

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  • Namaste250    May 5, 2013

    How are you doing, my friend?
    I hope you are very busy with your many new transactions. Spring is starting now. The flowers are just beginning to come out. Everything is becoming beautiful.
    Blessings, Ann

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    • Margaret    May 7, 2013

      Hello Ann,

      I am doing well but my computer had a problem, I have just accessed my account and found you communicated on 5th May. Anyway, we are from a very busy season. People have been busy preparing their land and planting. Now weeding has started and these have drastically affected the number of transactions I have been making per day. But my friends in other businesses have made me understand that the effect is in all businesses and things will be back to normal soon. We have also started a very crucial week to parents/guardians when they are taking their children back to school. This means that there is a lot of expenditure in terms of school fees and personal effects hence directing their income to this noble course. I am a parent with the same responsibilities hence I am aware of all these. I also spend some of the income I am getting from the business for the same purpose.

      Margaret Kamau

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      • pentatonicscale    May 7, 2013

        This is the last month of my school year and as a music teacher I am busy with end-of-year concerts and of course getting ready for graduation. I hope your children are doing well in their new school year.

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        • Margaret    May 8, 2013

          Hello,

          My children are doing very well and I expect each and everyone will get good grades at the completion of their course. I and my entire family are also doing well though there is a drop in daily transactions due to other crucial activities that my customers are involved in e.g. preparing their land, others planting, while others have started weeding. This is also a very demanding week to the parents/guardians since they are taking their children back to school. This means that they need a lot of money in terms of school fees and other personal effects hence directing their income to this noble course and as a parent with the same responsibilities I know what it means. I wish you all the best as you complete your course and in future endeavors. God bless you.

          Margaret Kamau

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      • Namaste250    May 8, 2013

        Hi Margaret,

        It doesn't sound like your customers are going to your competition. So, your business will probably be higher then usual as customers catch up.

        Isn't it funny the way we want our children to look totally perfect on the first day of school. But they do look great with their shiny faces marching into school.

        We have heard that some crooks are charging people for the Zidasha application. If you hear of anybody, please let me know and pass the word among other businesses that it is free to fill out the application.

        Best wishes, Ann

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  • Namaste250    Apr 1, 2013

    Greetings Margaret,
    I hope you had a wonderful Easter. In my country today is a day for fools. People like to play tricks on each other. I hope the queue on your bench is getting longer.
    Blessings, Ann

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  • Namaste250    Apr 1, 2013

    Greetings Margaret,
    I hope you had a wonderful Easter. In my country today is a day for fools. People like to play tricks on each other. I hope the queue on your bench is getting longer.
    Blessings, Ann

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    • Margaret    Apr 3, 2013

      Hello Ann,

      It is true that I had a blessed Easter but I am sorry since I have stayed for quite sometime without accessing my account which is a bit abnormal.

      Just like in your country, 1st April is fools day even in our country where a lot of tricks are exchanged but I was lucky to capture a trick that would have made me lend a friend some money in pretence that he could refund the following day.

      Truly speaking, the queue grew longer since I received the funds. As I informed you in advance, in M-Pesa business, the amount of cash one has determine the number of customers one serves per day and this automatically reciprocate to the amount of commission one gets. The funding was a very big boost to my business and I pray that you live long to be part of solutions in times of need. Thank you.

      Margaret Kamau

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  • Namaste250    Mar 13, 2013

    Hello Margaret,
    I am happy to see peace prevail.

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  • Namaste250    Mar 12, 2013

    Your integrity came shining through on your profile. I now have the job to help other Kenyans prepare their applications and profile. Yes, zidisha accepted me! And I'm here to help along the way. My first piece of business advice is that success may be your worst enemy. You need to plan for that now. Ann

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  • pentatonicscale    Mar 9, 2013

    I'm very happy for you!

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    • Margaret    Mar 12, 2013

      I am equally very happy for you because of the good work you are doing. You are part of those who made my dream to come true. Now my loan is fully funded and I promise to use it for the purpose I borrowed it for. I trust in you and I am very privileged to be associated with you. It is not that easy to get people like you. Most of the people would fear to commit their money to others. Yours is exceptional and my prayer is that you continue with the same spirit and God will reward you abundantly. It is amazing the way you have gained trust in me even before we meet and I hope we will meet one day. Have good time and God Bless You.

      Margaret Kamau.

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  • Namaste250    Mar 8, 2013

    100% !!! Congratulations. You must be very excited. Happy International Women's Day. You set a great example for our sisters. Now go make some money and sing your song. You know I have faith in you.
    Warm regards, Ann

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    • Margaret    Mar 9, 2013

      Thanks for your best wishes. I had a very wonderful International Women’s Day and even forgot to open my e-mail and Zidisha accounts but at long last my dream has come true since my loan is fully funded. This has taken a very short period and I congratulate you for it. It is a prove that you took my special request concerning the period very seriously. I would year to continue partnering with you as long as I am active and strong enough to remain in business. Like other beneficiaries who have partnered with you I can now confess I am in safe hands. You are very promising lenders and this is most appreciated. Immediately I receive the funds, they will automatically add value to my business. Thank you all.

      Margaret Kamau.

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  • Namaste250    Mar 8, 2013

    Namaste Margret,
    Happy International Women's Day! You set a good example. I see that your loan is slowly but surely getting there. Thank you for your kind words in your note. And just to show it's not all business - I love the outfit you're wearing in your picture. And the picture I use is of my wonderful grandson.
    Best Regards, Ann

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    • Margaret    Mar 9, 2013

      Namaste250,

      I am really in short of words to express my gratitude to you regarding the way you are handling my loan issue. Whatever you are doing to me shows that your involvement is more than that of a blood brother or sister. Yours is just exceptional. Keep up the good spirit and I am double sure that with people like you, we are going to have a very wonderful world, and if you have any capability of doing something good to others, please never hesitate. You have added a lot of value to me and I also promise to offer my assistance to others whenever I am in a position. You are a role model and a lot of people need you and your support. Good work.

      Margaret Kamau.

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