Corsmas    Jan 4, 2015

Dear Lenders,
I have spoken to Ambrose Machanda today 4/01/2015 in regard to his loan and he told me that his crops failed and he is looking for ways and means that can help him pay the loan.
I will make a follow up and brief you accordingly.
Corsmas

Corsmas    Sep 28, 2014

Dear Lenders and Zidisha team.
I called Ambrose Machanda over the phone today 28/9/2014 but after hearing thatn i was calling from Zidisha , he engaged the phone.I will call him later and brief you.
Corsmas

Corsmas    May 16, 2014

Dear Lenders and Zidisha team.
I called and spoke to Ambrose Machanda over the phone today 16/5/2014 in regard to his arrears which have accumulated from June 2013 and he told me that he work as a farmer and the loan was meant for farming , but during the last season,his crops failed as a result of low rainfall and there was no harvesting.This actually compacted negatively in his business and as the only source of income,he could not pay the loan as scheduled and cannot pay right now and Is pleading to be given time like four months from now before he could resume payment.I then advised him to fill the loan reschedule form and comment on the loan.
Corsmas

Corsmas    Apr 14, 2014

My name is Corsmas Ogutu i am a volunteer mentor I have been trying to reach Amos lately but is out of reach.I also called and talked to Mr Paul who have assured me that he will try and find him and will call me when he has found him as they always meet.I will wait for Mr Paul's report and give the feed back.
Corsmas

Ambrose    Aug 20, 2013

I would like to be given a grace of two month up to month so that i can reorganize my self to be able to catch up the remaining months thank you very much for understanding me and allowing the grace period. This will also be up to the time when the harvest will be ready and so assurance of good money.

Ambrose    Mar 11, 2013

i would like to to given a grace period of two months to enable me to sort myself out after paying the school i was left with money which would not be enough pay the loan and continue the business so i would like to be given grace period to be able to organize myself as you know my business is of farming my tomatoes are almost ready so soon i will be able to continue paying.

dcembrola    Nov 10, 2012

November 6, 2012

Hello, my name is Dan Cembrola, one of Zidisha’s Kenya Client Relationship Managers. I am currently visiting Zidisha borrowers in Nakuru and its outskirts.

I visited Ambrose Machanda this morning at his home and business in Karunga Center. Karunga is a small village located about 25 kilometers from Nakuru. This is a community that is fortunate to receive ample rainfall, for this reason, many of its residents engage in the agriculture business. The farmers here are able to take advantage of the lush, green environment and fertile soil.

Before focusing solely on farming eight years ago, Ambrose had been a teacher. When the funds to compensate teachers became increasingly tight, Ambrose decided that farming would be a more secure and dependable line of work. For this reason, he moved to Karunga where he purchased a three acre farm.

Ambrose grows maize, tomatoes, potatoes, and beans on his three acres of land. He finds that maize and tomatoes are his most profitable crops. He is using his current loan to invest in fertilizer for his tomatoes, new bean seeds, and pesticides. In addition, to the vegetables Ambrose cultivates, he also owns three cows. Two of the cows reside on his property and a third is located near the forest on the border of town where grass for grazing is in great supply. He’s able to sell the milk from his cattle each day at the town’s market. He owns a motorbike which he uses to transport the milk and other produce from his farm each day.

With his next loan, Ambrose would like to increase the acreage of his current farm. In addition to this, Ambrose also plans to enter the real estate market. Karunga is a small, but rapidly growing, village. Ambrose envisions purchasing, or possibly building, a house in the town center that he would then rent out. Using the profits from the improvements he made to his business with his current loan, Ambrose believes he will be able to afford this purchase.

Though Ambrose is still in the grace period of his current loan, he plans to begin repaying soon. The maize harvest in this region will conclude in December and with the increased income from that, Ambrose plans to pay off his current loan and apply for his next loan within a few months.