To add the materials for carpentry workshop

Kennedy

Nairobi, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Kennedy

Member since

March 2014

On-time repayments

354 installments  •  74%

About Me

I joined "Class One" in the year 1987, at Vigetse Primary School. Over this period of time, it was a life of struggle since we were being raised by a single mother, which happened due to our father being involved in a tragic road accident, leaving us while we were still young. I later joined "Form I" after doing my K.C.P.E in the year 1995. I did not continue with my secondary level of education due to struggles we were going through with our single mom, which forced me out of school at "Form II". Due to this unfortunate situation of my mother having to struggle, tilling people's land and other manual work to get food and other necessities for us, I and one of my sisters went to be put up with our grandmother, while my other two sisters went to be put up with the sister of my grandmother. There also was the younger sister of my grandmother who later took two more sisters of mine to be put up with her, while my elder brother went to stay with one of my uncles who (the uncle) later passed on from asthma. This forced my elder brother to come back home and continue with the daily challenges that we were going through. My mom was aging a lot from facing so many challenges.
Then, I met a friend who later took me to the city, but as young as I was, nobody was willing to allow me to be employed in their firm. But it was in this process that I met a Good Samaritan who was willing train me in furniture work and therefore took me to a polytechnic to train over said job. After training, I began working with a certain company, after which I began working by my own.
I married in the year 2013. My wife is employed while I run my furniture business.
I am the fifth born in a family of seven. I was born in 1979 and was raised in Western Kenya, namely in Vihiga County.

My Business

I began working as a carpenter at another company in the year 2000. That was after going through training for two years, from 1998. I later began working on my own, after having an experience of one year in that company. It is through this, therefore, that I conceived the idea of supplying my clients who own the showrooms to display my work. Through this, I have attracted many customers. They also prefer me because of my fair prices and the way I do the finishing of my work. I also do carpentry work and joinery. The business is doing well, but with challenges. I do make a profit margin of around Kshs 30,000 ($352) a month. Due to the standard of living here in the city, I find it not very easy to manage with only this profit margin. The main challenge is therefore how to manage paying the workshop, paying house rent, and also buying the materials with the same profit, to increase the volume of my production. I therefore request to be supported with a loan, hence adding materials to produce more work.

Loan Proposal

this is how i will use the loan, i will buy the materials as listed below:
Mart varnish, clear varnish, Knobs, Sanding paper, Catchers, handles, steel wire
i will take $ 15 to mart varnish 2litres, then again take $23 to buy clear varnish 4litres, $10 to knobs (4pcs), sanding paper 10feet @ $1 per foot =$10, $5 to catchers @$1 per catcher, brass handles 5 pcs $12, steel wire 500gms $5, the remaining $50, i will use to buy timber for my joinery work, then $25, i will take $10 for transporting the materials from the buying point to the workshop. lastly i will use the remaining $15 for emergency in case any need a rises when the work continues.

Feedback

10

None

None



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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$150.00

Date disbursed

Apr 21, 2014

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

5 weeks

Lenders

joaoferraz

RINCHOA, Portugal

G

gertrude

Cumberland, Canada

H

howard

Vence, France

Lambie

Perth, Australia

N

neumans7

Vienna, Austria

larry

Sweden

J

jeepman

United States

Ask Kennedy 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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  • Patrick    Feb 2, 2021

    Kennedy want to repay a minimal amount of Kes.100 and he has struggled to adjust but not su as the system is giving a higher amount.

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    • Kennedy    Feb 3, 2021

      Hi Patrick, is there any way out I can do to change to minimum repayment of ksh 100, the option they given to me is to high for me,

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  • Kennedy    Dec 17, 2020

    My instalment was rescheduled wethout my knowledge, I used to pay ksh100, but it was changed to ksh3814 which I cannot afford to pay as per now I request it be retained to ksh100, I tried to send an email via the email address that I received the notification but am being told the address does not exist, please help me.

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  • Kennedy    Dec 3, 2016

    Hi zidisha, am very much thankful for your platform, because it has been of a great help to me and my family since I joined, and I believe that I will be able to do great things with your financial support, but of lately my business has been encountering a lot of set backs my place of business was set ablaze with with unknown people, which I strongly believe they might be those who had interest with the premises we were doing business in, so I ended up losing my furniture to the fire, that is to why I encountered some challenges to repay my loan on time, so am reducing my instalment to manageable amount of ksh 100, I believe all will go back to normal and I will revert to my fist amount,
    Thanks for bearing with me and that is what I had to inform you,
    God bless you abundantly everyone who is supporting me

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    • Franmiguel    Dec 5, 2016

      Hi Kennedy,
      I am so sorry to hear your news.
      I cannot speak for all lenders, but from my perspective, I am fine if you defer your installments until you are well and truly back on your feet.
      Do not put me ahead of caring and providing for your family.
      I hope you and your business have a much better 2017.
      Regards
      Michael

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  • Kennedy    Jun 24, 2016

    Hallo Zidisha,
    I take this opportunity first to thank you for giving me an opportunity to through your platform to improving my business by connecting me to lenders.
    The main reason to why am writing is to inform you that am rescheduling my instalment down to Ksh500 ($5)per week, due to some circumstances that has forced me to do so, my work place that I had been rented was closed indefinitely without any notice, the place had been leased to ascertain individuals who subdivide it and rented it to small businesses owners, unfortunately some individuals who had interest in that place colluded with some top managers and leased it to them before the first lease came to an end, so our tools furniture material everything was Locked inside, because our landlord went to court, as wewait for the final word from the court , I have no enough money to service my loan thus why am rescheduling my instalment to a manegeable amount I can pay as per now.
    This is why I have opted to taking this necessary messiah, but I want to apologize for the inconvenient because I thought it will take short time
    Yours faithful Kennedy.

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  • Kennedy    Jun 22, 2016

    Hi lender, it has been long since I communicated to you I do make an apology for that, this is what has been going on, with my business, the place I had rented was closed indefinitely without any notice, the place had been leased to ascertain company that subdivided it and rented it to several small businesses including main, unfortunately the institute that leased the place some individuals on management colluded with some wealthy individuals from outside and leased the place for them without the knowledge of our landlord who has the lease, so we came one morning and we found that we have been locked out side with anotice not to enter, our tools furniture products and everything was Locked, so our landlord rushed to court, and so the case is going on as we hope and wait the outcome of the court to continue working again, so I turned out to be jobless and no money to pay my instalment, but I have emailed Zidisha and and inquired of their advice, I was advised to reduce my instalment to minimum amount that I can afford to pay every week to which I did agree, as I wait to things come back to normal. This is what happened to me but I want to promise you that I will remain faithful to you and agoing to pay back in little bits until I clear the whole amount, but still believe all is going to come back to normal.
    Thanks and God bless you all, with regards from me.

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    • (Comment deleted by author)

      • Kennedy    Jun 24, 2016

        Hi Laurie, thanks so much, for the encouragement am a strong believe in God, because am aborn again Christian, so I know this are part of storms of life but I know they are going to end, thanks for your prayers, God bless you abundantly.

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    • Franmiguel    Jun 22, 2016

      Hi Kennedy,
      Thank you for keeping us informed.
      I am sorry to hear that you have been placed in a situation where you are unable to work.
      Please make whatever changes to the loan schedule that you need to make.
      And please do not put your obligations to the Lenders ahead of your obligation to provide for your family.
      I hope you can quickly reclaim your work space.
      All the best
      Michael

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      • Kennedy    Jun 24, 2016

        Hi Michael
        Thanks for your email a and the encouragement, am making the changes, and I know all is going to be well,
        Thanks best regards.

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    • Limeleaf    Jun 24, 2016

      Hi Kennedy,
      Thank you for letting us know about these challenges. I want to echo the other lenders to say that paying back can be delayed until you are able to get back to work. Hopefully, that will be soon. Again, thanks for the update.

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      • Kennedy    Jun 25, 2016

        Hi limeleaf,
        Thanks very much for your concern and comment, indeed it's going to take some time, but I trust all will go well and I will pay my instalment without any delay,

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  • Boniface    Mar 30, 2016

    I have contacted him and advised him to continue repaying

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    • darkpella    Jun 22, 2016

      Hi Boniface, and thanks for your mentorship.
      Do you know what's going on with Kennedy's business?

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      • Kennedy    Jun 24, 2016

        Hi Darkpella
        Thanks very much for your concern about, I just posted on my page of what happened and communicated to Zidisha of what has been going on, so am reducing my instalment to manageable amount for now, I know all is going to be well.
        Thanks with regards from me.
        ,

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  • (Comment deleted by author)

    • Kennedy    Feb 3, 2016

      Thanks very much, Laurie, for that encouraging message and appreciating my work. That really gives me strength to move on. The dining table and the chairs are so nice. The chairs have loose covers. The coffee table and the stools are so nice, too. They are naturally finished in clear polish.
      Thanks, Laurie. God bless you, too.

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      • (Comment deleted by author)

        • Kennedy    Feb 4, 2016

          Laurie, thanks very much. Good to hear that. You know, in this era, you can order your furniture from me in Kenya and it can be delivered to you via DHL company, and you could get to see the real furniture itself.
          I want to welcome you to Kenya to visit my place of work to see what I am doing.
          Thanks for standing with me financially.
          God bless you so much.

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          • (Comment deleted by author)

            • Kennedy    Feb 6, 2016

              Hi Laurie, hope you're doing good. Thanks a lot for every message that you send to me. It really encourages me to know that I am heading somewhere. I really want to know about the forum and how my products can get there. I just thank you so much, Laurie, for being willing to help me more. May God bless you abundantly.
              Thanks and wonderful time.

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  • Franmiguel    Feb 2, 2016

    Hi Kennedy,
    Thanks for posting all the photos of your work, they look fantastic.
    I wish you well with your current loan, I have emptied my loan account to help fund you!
    All the best
    Michael

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    • Kennedy    Feb 4, 2016

      Hi, Franmiguel.
      Thanks, nice to hear from you. I appreciate you for your financially support, and also your great advice. I just want to welcome you to my country to see my work. Thanks for that big heart, giving out your finances to improve the lives of many. Thanks and be blessed.

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  • Kennedy    Feb 2, 2016

    Thanks lenders for every dollar you've loaned me. I have moved another step higher, and I believe the next loan will help me to buy the materials required to move ahead. My family members are happy now that we don't struggle the way we used to.
    Thanks, Zidisha!

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  • Kennedy    Jan 31, 2016

    Hi, my dear lenders,
    Let me thank you again for the financial support you have given to me. May God financially bless you abundantly so that you can help even more. I pray that God will increase you abundantly.
    These are some of the pieces of my furniture products that I have been able to make. Thanks.
    With regards,
    Ken

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  • Kennedy    Jan 16, 2016

    I want to take this opportunity to thank the Zidisha organization for the opportunity given to me through your platform, to borrow loans from lenders so as to improve my business financially. I also want to thank all lenders who give their financial support to improve our businesses.
    My business had gone down completely, but towards the end of last year (in November), this started changing. I started getting clients, and my finances started going up again. That is the reason I am raising my installment from the current Ksh500 up to Ksh 5000.
    Thanks to all lenders for being patient with me.
    I will never disappoint you. Thanks.
    Yours faithfully,
    Ken

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  • Kennedy    Dec 30, 2015

    Hi lenders, I hope you're doing well as we come to the end of this year, I just want to thank you for standing with me in giving up your money for me, to improve my business, the year started up well, but things changed my business started going down to apoint of closing down, I had no client coming in , but towards the end of August things started changing clients started coming in, and my business started coming up again, I hope and do believe next year 2016, it will be better, May everyone of you be blessed as we look forward to anew year, thanks and God bless you abundantly.

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  • Kennedy    Dec 25, 2015

    This are some of the pieces furniture I have been able to make, thanks for choosing to lend me your money, I do hope next year 2016 it will be better

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  • Kennedy    Dec 25, 2015

    To all my dear lenders, I tale this opportunity to wish you all merry Christmas as you celebrate this festive season with your families.

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  • Kennedy    Dec 23, 2015

    Hi franmiguel, thanks for the email, am doing good, my business had a lot of storm this year, but towards the end of October things started changing I clients started coming in to order some furnitures, but I hope next year things will be better, let me send you some of my work, I wish you wonderful Christmas season, thanks for choosing to lend me your money to improve my business.

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  • Franmiguel    Dec 17, 2015

    Hi Kennedy,
    Happy Holiday Season to you.
    I hope you and your business have a great 2016.
    Regards
    Michael

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  • Franmiguel    Jul 26, 2015

    Hi Kennedy,
    I know that business had slowed a little for you, but I see that you are always repaying on time, so I am hoping that business has picked up for you.
    All the best
    Michael.

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  • Franmiguel    Jun 24, 2015

    Hi Kennedy,
    I just thought that I would touch base and see how you are doing.
    I hope that all is well, and that sales have picked up for you.
    Regards
    Michael.

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  • Kennedy    May 2, 2015

    Dear Zidisha fist I want to take this opportunity to thank you for giving me an opportunity through your platform , and various lenders to fund my business, since I started receiving money from them it has been well, But the main reason why am writing to you is to reschedule my payments again due to this reason, the demand for the furnitures has slowed down so my business has gone down so I want to put up the amount I can manage weekly of Ksh 500 as I wait for the good season of sell again , But any time my sell goes up again I will reschedule my installments to a higher rate, thank you for listening to me,
    Yours faithful Ken

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  • Franmiguel    Feb 23, 2015

    Hi Kennedy,
    Great to see that you are doing well and always repaying on time.
    In fact, if I could make a recommendation...
    If you are finding it easy to make the current repayments, you might want to consider rescheduling to pay the loan off early.
    That way you could save interest!!! which is always a good business decision.
    All the best
    Michael.

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    • Kennedy    Feb 24, 2015

      hi fanmiguel, thanks very much for your encouragemend, am doing well and my business too, thanks for your recommendation. i have been planning as from next month to reschedule my repaymends so that i can finish my loan on time, in acouple of days am going to post some of. my pieces of furnitures for you to see, thanks for your concern about my business.
      nice time and wish you well.

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