To buy a flat screen tv, create more space for the customers and buy news brands now available in the market

John

Rongai, Nakuru, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

John

Member since

November 2012

On-time repayments

247 installments  •  45%

About Me

My name is John Kabutu Mariga, a Kenyan citizen. I was born in 1971 at Kihoya Village of Muranga County. I was raised in a family of twelve children; two girls and ten boys. I joined Kihoya Primary School in 1978 and finished in 1987. Here I served as a Class Prefect between 1984 and 1987 despite my tiny body at that time. I was also a choir member of our local church. I then joined Kangema High School for Secondary Education in 1988 and finished in 1991. Here I served the school as Assistant Head Boy between 1990 1991. Later, I joined Graffins College for a Diploma in Computer Studies. Upon completion I joined Rongai Secondary as a Computer Studies Teacher. This is when I shifted to Rongai. Currently, I am the Head of Technical Department in the school, a Member of Disciplinary committee, also in charge of Community Service, in charge of generating Students' Report Forms after exams among others. I am also the longest serving staff in the institution.

During my free time I like listening to music and sharing drinks with my customers since this is the only way I can confirm to them that I am offering good commodities that I can as well consume.

I am married and a proud father of three children; two girls and one boy. Two (a boy and a girl) are in Primary School and the other girl completed her Secondary Education last year (2014) since she repeated one class. She is yet to join College. She wants to become a nurse while the boy wants to be a pilot and the little girl wants to become a teacher like her father. I am a resident of Rongai District of Nakuru County.

I started the Bar Business in 2010 when my first born joined Secondary School. This is when I realized I could no sustain my family with the earnings I get as a teacher only. My survey landed me to this Business as a Better Option. Other than upkeep of my family, I bought three plots in Rongai and managed to develop one and shifted from teachers’ quarters to that plot.

Apart from increasing the stock in my business, I managed to increased the holding capacity of the enterprises, added new brands of drinks, bought a Flat Screen TV among other developments. These were made possible from the earnings I got from the business through the funds I got from Zidisha. Any other Financial Boost that I may get will be of great value to me.

Recently, I completed paying for third plot still in Rongai which I have been paying in installment from part of the income I generated from my business.

My Business

Other than teaching, I run a bar at the centre of Rongai Township that provides both Alcoholic Drinks and Soft Drinks.

There is a good demand for the commodities since this is one of the places where people spend their leisure time after a busy day. This is also a meeting place for friends when they want to relax and chat. My customers prefer the Pub since it provides very friendly environment. Most of them even commend it to their relatives and friends especially when they have visitors e.g. during family gathering, get together, weddings and other functions. They term it as a ‘Cool Place’. I have also realized they like referring to it a ‘Home Pub’. The services offered are very pleasing. The language used to the customers not only by Myself but even by the Bar Attendant is ‘High Class’. All these are confirmed by our customers and we feel very proud. We also provide some entertainments in terms of Soft Music.

Due to improvement I have done to my business through the funds I get from Zidisha, I have managed to generate more income. Apart from adding stock and new brands I managed to buy a 32 inch flat screen TV. Customers normally flock there especially during Barclays Premier League to watch football. Some even watch while standing when all the seats are already occupied. Currently at one particular time the bar can now accommodate 28 customers seated. On a good day, my sales have gone up to $95 and my monthly income has gone up to $200.
With the new loan, $158 will go to license so that I can be operating Bar and Restaurant, $158 I will buy cookers, $85 I will buy utensils, the rest I will buy meat, flour, potatoes, grains, greens and all other items required while preparing delicious meals for my customers. I will be expecting a minimum monthly net income of $264.

Loan Proposal

Due to customers demand, I want to buy a flat screen TV at Kshs. 24,000. This will definitely increase the number of customers since some tend to go to places with flat screen especially during their favourite Barclays Premier league. Kshs. 20,000 will go to extension (the veranda outside the available room) since the space is still not enough even after adding more furniture. This again will accommodate more customers hence increasing my income. There are also news brands in the market (both wines/spirits and beer) and therefore the remaining amount goes to these. Out-rightly, this will again attract more customers hence making more sales.

Feedback

5

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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$750.00

Date disbursed

Feb 14, 2014

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

17 months

Lenders

AWOL

USA, United States

C

chkuo

Taipei, Taiwan

L

lmuenchen

Munich, Germany

ErikN

Stockholm, Sweden

F

Fiodal

Helsinki, Finland

T

taiti123

Singapore, Singapore

G

guenter

Bremen, Germany

Y

YoUSA11

Sylvania, United States

J

Joyful

Philadelphia, United States

Cloudways

Malta, Malta

RobinW

Bonn, Germany

S

Simbaz

Torino, Italy

Cadwah

Barcelona, Spain

SmeeAgain

Dublin, Ireland

S

sersche

Zurich, Switzerland

M

mtaylor

Houston, United States

C

caz32

chertsey, United Kingdom

S

Serene

Philadelphia, United States

Sarasota

Sarasota, Fl, United States

dmirpuri

Bangkok, Thailand

H

Haavard

Bergen, Norway

E

elhh82

Petaling Jaya, Malaysia

T

tophini

Alma, United States

Matching Fund

Sterling, United States

M

Mcohan21

United States

M

mb210047

Miamisburg, OH, United States

Paul Buchheit

Mountain View, United States

Ask John 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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  • John    May 8, 2017

    Dear Lenders,
    It is with great concern that I would like to bring to your attention that I have been financially clipped for sometime and that is why I was even forced to skip some installments. The business was not doing well but now it has picked. For now I can afford to pay certain amount and therefore I will resume the repayment starting coming Sunday. Thank you and sorry for any inconvenience.
    Yours,
    John Mariga.

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  • John    May 8, 2017

    The truth of the matter is that I have been in bad shape financially but now I have gain some momentum and I want to boost the installment to try and cover the weeks I skipped. Sorry for any inconvenience.

    Yours truly,
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Jan 5, 2017

    Due to the inconsistency in repayment of my loan because of unavoidable circumstances, I have now decided to increase the installment slightly. The funds I received from you have added value to me and my dependents though the year 2016 was not the best and I had problems in repayment of my loan.

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  • John    Jan 5, 2017

    Hi Lenders,
    Happy New Year. It is with great concern that I write to you this New Year due to the inconsistency in repayment of my loan. Truly speaking I had a very Challenging year 2016 to a point of even not be in a position to pay the business license and house rent. I lacked words to explain the situation since I knew even if I promise something, it was clear I would fail to honor it and therefore I decided to wait for the time I can promise something comfortably. Anyway my Great Friends I now promise to resume the repayment starting this week. I am very sorry for any inconvenience.
    Yours truly,
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Jun 29, 2016

    I salute you all. Sometimes things get tough but having friends like you gives me new hopes day after day. It is evident that sometimes I don't make my weekly repayment on time but it is due to unavoidable circumstances. I always feel sorry about it but sometimes I am so pressed to make the repayment. All in all, it is also evident that when in a better position I increase the weekly repayment to cover the weeks that I might not be in a position to pay. Currently the business is performing on average and therefore I expect to do the repayment on time. Thank you.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Apr 13, 2016

    Dear Lenders,
    Mine is just to thank you for the good work you are doing for us. Although we experience ups and downs at some points, you have made us move miles through your generous funding. It is planting season and therefore the business is a bit down but this is normal during such periods.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Mar 28, 2016

    Dear Lenders,
    It is with a lot of humility that I would like to apologize for skipping my weekly loan repayment. I have been out of the country for two weeks but now I am back and will resume the repayment immediately, although I have to adjust the amount due to some financial constrains. I promise to raise it very soon. Sorry for any inconvenience.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Feb 8, 2016

    Hi Lenders,
    We are in new year 2016 and we have all the reasons to thank our Almighty Father. Now, January is over and again we have a reason to smile since it is a month with a lot of expenditure; School fees, fixing what went wrong the previous year, to mention just but a few. The situation has started improving now i.e business-wise since personally my business is doing better than last month and I am sure it will keep improving as time goes by. Thank you for the good work you are doing to us and I wish you a wonderful 2016.
    Yours truly,
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Dec 28, 2015

    Dear Lenders,
    I salute you in the name of the living God during this Christmas season . It is very unfortunate that I had to skip my loan repayment due to unavoidable circumstances. My mother fell sick and underwent an operation which squeezed me financially since I had to take care of her all through. Anyway I am also concerned that I happened to adjust my repayment sometimes back (to Ksh. 500) but as per the amount due, it was not reflected and i don't know the reason as to why. This eventually has affected my on time repayment.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Dec 7, 2015

    Lenders,
    I am currently experiencing some financial constrains since my daughter happened to join college last month and a lot of funds were required for this nobble duty I must do since this is the only gift I can give to her. So please bear with me for sometime but I am double sure I will be back to track soon and readjust my repayment upwards. Thank you.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Nov 10, 2015

    Hello Lenders,
    I hope you are all well. Mine is just to let you know that I am doing well since my business has now improved. It is my expectations that it will keep improving. Thank you for all the support you have offered me. Have good time.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Oct 8, 2015

    Hi Lenders,
    I really feel honoured to have associated with you due to the benefits I have so far gained from you through the funds you have been providing to me. May you keep the same the spirit. Anyway, although I haven’t yet managed to incorporate the restaurant section in my business due some logistics in the county government, the pub is doing fairly good. I happened to contain the 'hiccups' which I had, and affected my business. I am even foreseeing a situation where I will increase my weekly loan repayment very soon so as to complete the repayment earlier in order to benefit more from more funds. Thank you lenders, thank you Zidisha Team.
    Yours Truly,
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Sep 29, 2015

    Hi Lenders,
    I feel privileged to let you know that my business in still averagely performing. Since the inspection is yet to be done, I am still offering both soft and hard drinks. Anyway my plan was to incorporate the restaurant section to increase my earnings but so far the County Government is yet to do its part. All the same I can’t complain so much since I am able to make something out of what I already have and therefore even if the government delays am assured of making some profit still.

    After the challenges I had recently, we attended our friend’s wedding ceremony with my wife and we had some fun.

    Thank you for standing with us by funding our projects through the loans you give to us.

    John Mariga.

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  • John    Sep 21, 2015

    Dear Lender and the Entire Zidisha Team,
    I hope you are all doing well. Due to unavoidable circumstances, it has become a bit difficult for me to continue with my weekly loan repayment of Kshs. 1571. I have some health issues and this has left me with an option of reducing the installment to Kshs. 1000 for the time being. I will increase the installment when the situation improves.

    The business averagely performing but I have high hopes it will improve soon. Thank you.

    John Mariga.

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  • John    Sep 15, 2015

    Dear Lenders,
    I take this opportunity to thank you for the good work you are doing for us borrowers. I would like to inform you that I was hospitalized for the last three weeks and this forced me to skip my weekly loan repayments. I owe you a lot of apologies for any inconveniences but please bear with me since it was inevitable. I promise to resume repayment very soon since you have made me reach where I am. If the pressure rises since I am still under medication, I will have to adjust my repayments. Thank you.
    Yours truly,
    John Mariga.

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  • Matt B    Sep 14, 2015

    Hi John. How are things going - any luck with the inspection yet?

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    • John    Sep 15, 2015

      Hi Matt,
      Inspection not yet please but the business is not too bad but again not good and since I have been sick for sometime, there were some challenges since some funds were channeled towards my treatment. but I will be well soon.
      John Mariga.

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  • John    Aug 14, 2015

    Hello Lenders,
    I would like to let you know that the inspection of the premises has not been done yet but I am doing well even under the prevailing situation. Anyway, so far so good. Truly the business is doing well and hope to complete my loan repayment on time. Long live Lenders, long live Zidisha.
    John Mariga

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  • John    Jul 8, 2015

    Hi Lenders,
    As we are still waiting for the inspection of our premises, my business is doing well though not as it is supposed to do since recently the president directed for a national wide crack down on illicit brews and therefore we were ordered to dispose all wines and spirits brands until the legal ones are identified and a list published. I am therefore making a lower profit than I expected, but I hope all will be well soon.
    Yours truly,
    John Mariga.

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    • Matt B    Jul 8, 2015

      John - thanks for the update. I hope the government sorts things out quickly and your business gets back on track soon.

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  • John    Jun 15, 2015

    Hello Lenders,
    I hope you are all well. Mine is to let you know that I am doing well both businesswise and healthwise. Anyway I have not yet gotten a bar and restaurant license since system of government has changed and were now working under county government. Currently they are busy laying down necessary logistics and therefore they are yet to inspect the pub. To make it clear, this applies to all the businesses and hence we are all waiting for the concerned to do their part. All the same, I decided to add more stock and more brands of drinks as I await this to happen and so far my daily sales have gone up by at least 20%. I will update you on my monthly income at the end of the month. Thank you for your good work.
    John Mariga.

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  • John    Jun 3, 2015

    Dear Lenders,
    I hope you are doing well? Mine is just to let you know that I am a very happy man due to your generosity in funding my loan. I have all the reasons to thank you for what you have done to me, my business and also to my family. I received a total of Kshs. 67,346.00 (Approximately $709) and I promise you that I will utilize the funds in the best way possible.
    I intend to spend $158 on license so that I can operate a Bar and a Restaurant, $158 on cookers, $85 on utensils and the rest on foodstuffs like meat, flour, potatoes, grains, greens and all other items required so as to offer delicious meals to my customers. This is definitely a big boost to me, my business and all my dependant s. Thank you once more and long live Lenders.
    John Mariga.

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    • Matt B    Jun 3, 2015

      Hope it all goes well. I look forward to your updates and more photos!

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