Solar lanterns for women & girls

Francis

Chipata, Zambia

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Francis

Member since

March 2016

On-time repayments

348 installments  •  77%

About Me

Growing up in a Village and raised by great grandmother, i studied under a kerosene lamp and every month i missed school due to sickness caused by the fumes from the kerosene lamps. Its an experience i don't wish any child or woman to go through. My great grandmothers meager earning she used to have was mostly spent on my medication, while my uncles were busy abusing my aunties and spending their money on beers. I grew up knowing the challenges women go through. I grew up knowing that when a woman is empowered then the whole village is empowered. I saw it through my great grandmother Sofia and through my aunties.

Its this experience that has shaped my career path. I chose to be a Social Entrepreneur so that i can create opportunities for women and girls. So that i can enable women and girls have equal accesses to products and services that can put them on a road to economic prosperity.

My Business

For the past 3 years i set up Kukula Solar, a social business that seek to distribute 100,000 solar products to rural and peri urban communities of Zambia. 90% of these solar products will be put in the hands of women and girls so that they can be empowered to do more. For girls, to study for longer hours and for women to work for longer hours. Its here at Zidisha were we launched this social business and together we have distributed over 3,000 solar lanterns. We still have 97,000 solar lanterns to distribute, thats why i invite all our lenders here to help us get these life changing products to the women and girls I'm so passionate about!

Loan Proposal

I plan to continue distributing solar lamps to women and girls during this rain season so that they can finish paying for the solar lamps when they harvest. We plan with the amount to be loaned, I will buy 20 solar home systems and distribute to women. I The solar lamps will give me a profit increase of 27% by the time of repaying the loan.

The impact of this loan will be more on women and girls will will be able to cook under a clean source of light and girls able to study for longer hours. The families will also be able to save money by switching from kerosene usage to solar lamps. The saved money will can be used to improve their family nutrition, pay for their children school fees and also buy uniforms and school shoes.

The other impact will be on the environment. With 20 solar lamps distributed, over 600Kg of CO2 emission will be avoided.

Families will save over $1,400 in 12 months of switching and over 29,200 extra hours of light will be available for women and girls, helping them to be productive!

My Videos

Jan 18, 2021: Impacting lives using zidisha loans

Feedback

9

None

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  • Kirk Moore    Jul 9, 2021

    Thanks for paying back early!

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  • Cianna    Jan 18, 2021

    Francis is the best! I am happy to support such an innovative and pro-social entrepreneur! I will continue to lend each time Francis makes a request since he is doing some truly amazing work!

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  • David    Jan 17, 2021

    Loan was originally scheduled to take three months. Despite the pandemic hampering his business, Francis continued making regular payments, completing the loan in 13 months. I appreciate your commitment during a very challenging time.

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  • David    Dec 1, 2019

    Although the loan was for a larger amount, regular payments were received and the loan was paid in full as originally scheduled. I am pleased to be able to help such an amazing project.

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  • TomF925    Mar 7, 2019

    Thanks for sharing your website:
    www.kukulasolar.com
    I certainly recommend everyone have a look. Well done! Also, Zidisha blog has a great article about Francis:
    p2p-microlending-blog.zidis...

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  • TomF925    Mar 21, 2017

    March 15, 2018. Just a friendly suggestion for everyone to visit Francis' inspiring campaign:
    LIGHTING UP LIVES IN RURAL ZAMBIA
    igg.me/at/BU8v3PUek-U
    March 21, 2017
    I am thrilled by each message and each photo that Francis posts in the Discussion. Have a look everyone!

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  • Jan    Mar 20, 2017

    +1 Francis' enthusiasm
    +1 Francis' story's
    +1 Francis' repayments

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  • BernadetteV    Mar 19, 2017

    Francis many regular repayments and kept us informed about his business. It was a pleasure to lend to him.

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$1,292.00

Date disbursed

Dec 4, 2019

Repayment status

Late

Projected term

14 months

Lenders

Daniel

Brussels, Belgium

J

jeffb

United States

A

Anninymouse

Southampton, United Kingdom

Dianne

Maryville, United States

JB

James Broderick

Cobham, United Kingdom

C

CWS

Huntington beach, ca, United States

Q

Quomar

Żmigród, Poland

M

mikedufty

Perth, Australia

J

Jason

New Jersey, United States

F

Fabrizio

Grottaferrata, Italy

S

susa

Forchtenberg, Germany

investor

Candiac, Canada

M

MarkAndMary

Seattle, United States

C

chkuo

Taipei, Taiwan

D

dkapplerb

Toronto, Canada

PaulE

Cockeysville, MD, United States

eagle3

Grand Ledge, United States

BelleStarr

Albuquerque, United States

cyrus0302

San Francisco, United States

YB Song

Seoul, Republic of Korea

D

DrFeelGOOD

San Jose, United States

AltruisticSelfishnes

Chicago, United States

Johnny

shanghai, China

lietu

Tallinn, Estonia

DeanDropshot

Oslo, Norway

J

jozua

Delft, Netherlands

F

Fiodal

Helsinki, Finland

Kjartan

Oslo, Norway

C

Coyote137

Portland, OR, United States

L

ldron7

Utah, United States

R

rcmssr

Woodbury, United States

A

anonymus

Moon, United States

T

Tallago3

Munich, Germany

ScottSavage

Las Vegas, NV, United States

Pere

Barcelona, Spain

M

MichaelCausey

Camarillo, Ca, United States

AF

a f

washington, United States

A

aliasadsj

Queens, NY, United States

T

ToddK

Indianapolis, IN, USA, United States

D

djhenk

Amsterdam, Netherlands

M

mogensh

København V, Denmark

J

JakeA

Wellington, New Zealand

P

PeaceandLove

Morro Bay, United States

C

cjmenchaca

Austin, United States

BJ

Brandon Joz

North Carolina, United States

MatthewHaight

Montgomery Village, United States

Jeff and Marcie

Portland, OR, United States

T

thejacobnorton

Jubail, Saudi Arabia

TK

Tim Koppel

WOLLONGONG, Australia

B

briansedz

Canton, Ohio, United States

Krtecek

Balzers, Liechtenstein

S

SelvaMarcus

Green Cove Springs, United States

beverly

Vancouver, Canada

G D Export

Kolkata, India

J

jjonas

berlin, Germany

B

Bavarian

Bavaria, Germany

TheMoonDuster

Brisbane, Australia

J

jasonbronowitz

Tempe, United States

C

chrisherron

Chicago, United States

G

grahamfamily

Guildford, United Kingdom

indeh

London, United Kingdom

J

JoycaLeplae

Gent, Belgium

M

Marij

Gent, Belgium

DLarson

Morris, United States

J

Jeb33red

Bourne end, United Kingdom

Erica

Caledon, Canada

kickerofelves

Sao Paulo, Brazil

B

bgj21

Cambridge, United Kingdom

Cloudways

Malta, Malta

IA

Ismini and Jerry

Stamford, USA, United States

Walter86

Napoli, Italy

J

jzidi

Los Angeles, United States

J

JoJoHouse

New Castle, United States

T

the0bauman

Hillsboro, United States

P

PhilACK

Brampton, Canada

E

EnhanceLife

Heber City, United States

B

bugsheep

Houston, United States

lorello

Vicopisano, Italy

M

Mårten

Inden, Switzerland

Jouni

Finland

S

SvenWaage

Stavanger, Norway

H

Hello

Salisbury, United Kingdom

J

JoeSolar

Virginia, United States

K

keane2097

Ranelagh, Ireland

J

JonMichael

Winnipeg, Canada

L

loistf

Madrid, Spain

A

argos

Zurich, Switzerland

peanut

Halifax, Canada

K

Katehar

Maple Valley, WA, United States

B

BobJames

Toulouse, France

R

Rking

Eugene, United States

K

katykoo

New York, NY, United States

N

Nassara1

Evergem, Belgium

D

DThirteen

Miami, United States

S

Scodeb123

Huntsville, United States

Christopher

Copenhagen, Denmark

S

Saryan929

Somerville, United States

Alina

Amsterdam, Netherlands

A

Aaron

Zurich, Switzerland

Cadwah

Barcelona, Spain

Andreas Kiss

Vienna, Austria, Austria

Y

Yevrahs

Dallas, Texas, United States

foreverchanges

Krefeld, Germany

P

Peksa

Espoo, Finland

M

mkellerman

Shanghai, China

V

Valis

Singapore, Singapore

HMS_5th_Grade

Honolulu, United States

C

cngilkd

gaithersburg, United States

SmeeAgain

Dublin, Ireland

S

sersche

Zurich, Switzerland

Maxey

Amstelveen, Netherlands

A

Andy

Berlin, United States

G

glh25

Winooski, United States

fairspirit

Utrecht, Netherlands

davidt

San Francisco, United States

K

kikusin

Shanghai, China

N

netsirkd

Highland, United States

camilberlin

Berlin, Germany

K

KnutG

Bergen, Norway

Muslim

Riyadh, Saudi Arabia

Z

Zimaxx

Graz, Austria

I

ianb723

ROCHESTER, United States

T

tbogz

Singapore, Singapore

Marktwain

Telford, United Kingdom

B

BassFamily

Tremonton, United States

joaoferraz

RINCHOA, Portugal

A

amish

San Francisco, United States

T

Taupe

Balzers, Liechtenstein

JTShorty

Gorham, Maine, United States

BF

Bob Fitzjohn

Fontvielle, Monaco, Yemen

F

Freya

Adelaide, Australia

G

Goldrivermob

Gold River, Canada

M

miriamg

Toronto, Canada

M

MACH1351CJ

HOMMELVIK, Norway

mikeoberhaus

San Francisco, United States

M

Moonknight

Østre Gausdal, Norway

R

Ronnie

STOCKHOLM, Sweden

L

laidas

Vilnius, Lithuania

isabelv

Barcelona, Spain, Sweden

C

Colmena

Chicago, United States

GarmdGriek

Oslo, Norway

paulclinton

malaga, Spain

N

nk786

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Zal0m0n

Atlantis!!!! x), Mauritania

A

AndrewC

London, United Kingdom

B

Bokolo

Leeds, United Kingdom

M

mmisoo

Nova Dubnica, Slovakia

Generaal

Antwerp, Belgium

gseletko

South Perth, Australia

S

smetis

Kananaskis, Canada

S

Sreval

Manly, Australia

F

Forfex

Zurich, Switzerland

B

bertvdlingen

utrecht, Netherlands

P

paul74

Chichester, United Kingdom

O

Ohio

Ohio, United States

Lambie

Perth, Australia

soniad

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

MarshFamilyUK

Canterbury, United Kingdom

dmirpuri

Bangkok, Thailand

O

osterqvist

Linköping, Sweden

D

DelapierceD

New York, United States

ibc123

Seattle, United States

H

harrymore

Townsville, Australia

C

cranejoad

cazenovia, United States

xtrahardware

Cazenovia, United States

E

Esseni

Cincinnati, United States

markpearson

Portsmouth, United Kingdom

J

jinx83

Brisbane, Australia

DJBic

Clinton, United States

HealthcareProvider

Baltimore, United States

E

E

Marin county, United States

M

mibrahim51

Mountain View, United States

fransk

Culemborg, Netherlands

kevinzeigler

New York, United States

Namulanda

nairobi, Kenya

Evan Lamos

Brussels, Belgium

S

SanderBeckers

Brussel, Belgium

G

GanSatya

United States

D

dj9812

United States

B

BobHope

United States

sderickson

Berkeley, CA, United States

A

andrewpbrett

United States

N

nguyenlapq

United States

pvilliger

Zurich, Switzerland

M

Malibu

Westwood, United States

G

goloans

Palo Alto, United States

M

microlender

United States

D

drorm

United States

C

chrishol

United States

MalcolmL

San Francisco, United States

O

osubucks45

United States

Dreamworks.nl

Den Haag, Netherlands

R

Rootdet

Fairfax, United States

Jonas

Brussels, Belgium

M

mguenter

Switzerland

S

suraj_sindhia

United States

A

adiipienaar

South Africa

M

Mal57

Australia

J

jenda

Czech Republic

B

brianchicago

United States

bb4dogs

United States

M

mitchmk84

United States

M

marcof

Netherlands

Brooklyn

Brooklyn, United States

joshuacollinson

Vienna, Austria

trincowski

Vilar, Vila do Conde, Portugal

Insomnus

Cheltenham, United Kingdom

Y

yuling

Singapore

smastermind

Jerusalem, Israel

mepster

San Francisco, Ca, United States

chriseyre

Fremont, Ca, United States

M

madeleinec

United States

A

angelapeat01

United States

R

RonEddy

United States

TyWee

Manila, Philippines

D

dscottprod

United States

A

AnnaLou

Switzerland

belvi

Hoogeveen, Netherlands

W

wesbh89

United States

F

factotums

United States

Grant Xavier Storer

Seattle, Wa, United States

I

idris

United States

Mimobo

Schwäbisch Gmünd, Germany, Germany

K

KiraDee

United States

C

ColoradoSkier

Denver, United States

I

irela

United Kingdom

SV

sven vdk

Twickenham, United Kingdom

B

beegkitty

United States

Rachael101

Brisbane, Australia

S

StefanB

Stockholm, Sweden

E

egines

United States

A

andreab

United States

Mike and Jacqui

United Kingdom

S

Stephan

Netherlands

S

Sven

Netherlands

E

Erich

Zurich, Switzerland

Jeroen Decock

Gent, Belgium

Dave Bogard

New York, United States

Robert

Sweden

MZ

Matt Zirwas

United States

S

Steve

United States

SMOICE

Berlin, Germany

MW

Matt Willis

United States

Jan

Netherlands

Jake Badger

Roskilde, Denmark

DB

Dianne Bayes

Huntersville, United States

PC

Patrick Clavette

Hartford, Wisconsin, United States

Lotus Flower

United States

WE

Wendy Emlyn

Devon, United Kingdom

Emma

Australia

Tom Eggert

Madison, United States

David

Canada

AM

Anupama Mann

United States

B

Berni

Germany

RF

Ruth FT

Manchester, United Kingdom

Nick Studenski

Minneapolis, United States

J

Netherlands

Kathleen Coleman

Oregon, United States

SR

Sean Rodgers

Wellington, New Zealand

C

Cianna

United States

Sayuri

United Kingdom

Ask Francis 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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