Serah

Subukia, Kenya

100% repaid

Entrepreneur

Name

Serah

Member since

August 2012

On-time repayments

18 installments  •  6%

About Me

Am a Kenyan citizen age 36 year, a residence of Subu on your way to Nyahururu Plot number 20 a Farm where I got married and am a very good farmer. I have been in farming since the year 2005 dealing in maize planting for domestic use but in to year 2009 I changed my profession of farming maize to tomatoes farming which has proofed to me that women can also be good farmers due to the profit I have seen.Am a Kenyan citizen age 36 year, a residence of Subu on your way to Nyahururu Plot number 20 a Farm where I got married and am a very good farmer. I have been in farming since the year 2005 dealing in maize planting for domestic use but in to year 2009 I changed my profession of farming maize to tomatoes farming which has proofed to me that women can also be good farmers due to the profit I have seen.

My Business

Most of the farmers here grow maize beans. We started as a group of five people in 2009 where we decided to specialize in horticulture products and Tomatoes in particular. We formed a group where we were able to plant half an acre of tomatoes but did not do well during that times because the supply in the market was high than the demand. We decided that we would plant out tomatoes in such a time that by the time they are ready for market, there would be no supply at that time so we decided to be doing that during the sunny season when other farmers are preparing their farm for maize plantation. By doing so we were able to raise money and bought a money maker pump which was very tiresome because one person had to pump using his/her leg and the others would water the plantation. By doing so we were able to harvest the tomatoes in good time and were able to get a good profit margin here we divided among ourselves. Present I have a plan to plant one acre of tomatoes which I will divide into four seasons. I have already laid down the nursery for season one and in three weeks time it will be ready for planting.

Loan Proposal

when i get the loan from Zidisha organization i have planned to prepare the shamba and get the tomatoes from the nursery bed and when it is ready i will plant the tomatoes. then i will get the tomatoe pump machines which will make my work easier and very smart work. i also intend to build my tank so that i can harvest rain water during the rainy seasons and reduce the petrol cost that is used when pump the tomatoes.

Feedback

12

2

None



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Loan Info

Project Type

Classic Loan

Disbursed amount

$500.00

Date disbursed

Aug 31, 2012

Repayment status

On Time

Projected term

12 months

Lenders

BM

Benedicte Monroe

Sarasota// Phnom Penh, United States

J

Jason

New Jersey, United States

F

Fabrizio

Grottaferrata, Italy

Kitty

Hailsham, United Kingdom

D

Davieboy

Melbourne, Australia

Hope2012

United Kingdom

B

Bpryse

Long beach, United States

C

catootje

Zoetermeer, Netherlands

Straetman

Kaarst, Germany

MaxEmerika

Sonoma County, California, United States

M

magmax

Vienna, Austria

H

hugh1

Co Kerry, Ireland

S

share

Whitby, Canada

Cordula

Cologne, Germany

MakeSense

-, St. Kitts and Nevis

M

Marianne

London, United Kingdom

A

ante1

trosa, Sweden

S

Sonja

London, United Kingdom

Simon Thomas

Christchurch, New Zealand

marcantonio152

Pensacola, FL, United States

Catherine68

Boyle, Ireland

S

setoc

Bragg Creek, Canada

Susanne

Freising, Germany

J

jgrauel

Zurich, Switzerland

Ask Serah 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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  • Annana    Apr 22, 2013

    Please, do not apologize. You take care of yourself. I have forgiven my portion of the loan.
    I hope you can heal from this horrible thing which happened to you. You are a strong woman and your children are blessed to have you.
    My heart is with you
    Ananna

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    • Sonja    Apr 23, 2013

      Well said, Ananna! I think many of us forgave our portion of the loan at the time, so hopefully it will not be too difficult for you to manage to pay off the rest. Take good care of yourself, Serah.

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      • hugh1    Apr 24, 2013

        You are right, Sonja. In fact, according to Serah's repayment schedule, 19 Zidisha lenders forgave their portion of her loan. That just leaves $491.21 (including interest) which is owed to 4 lenders. In the light of the terrible event in Serah's life, wouldn't it be wonderful if those lenders could forgive their part of this loan too. Surely that would be in the spirit of what we are all trying to do here, wouldn't it?

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        • tonilends    Apr 24, 2013

          one question, how can you see that? I mean how many lenders forgave their portion. oh, and I agree, forgiving the portion or at least extending the return to 2-3 years would be great. thanks for the info!

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          • MakeSense    Apr 24, 2013

            @tonilends. Click on "View more" next to Repayment schedule. It says that 19 lenders have forgiven the loan and you can see that $491 remains to be paid. That means almost $1000 was forgiven.

            @Serah. Nice to see you back in the fields on the new photo. Take care.

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            • tonilends    Apr 25, 2013

              @MakeSense: thank you for the indications, I certainly see that the amount is 491$ instead of 1210$, but I can't see the number of lenders that forgave their loan. Maybe that's because I am not a lender at the end, although I placed a bid that wasn't accepted, I believe.

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  • Serah    Apr 22, 2013

    First I would like to apologize for the delayed repayment of the loan and the keeping silence for long about the repayment. I have been having a lot of problems that has caused me to be confused such that i was not thinking about the repayment of the loan. as I had informed you of the attack by armed robbers on January 5 which led to the loss of my husband in my previous post this made my life change tremendously as i was left as the only bread winner. i have to take care of my children, pay off their school fees and feed them. During this time the rain if falling and am busy planting maize for the family future food. this has lend to over expenditure not forgetting that i do not have other source of income and May is waiting and the children are going back to school meaning more money fr the school fees. this has led me not having any other option other than having a delayed payment but am sure am going to catch up. This has falsed to reschedule my loan repayment. Thank you very much.

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  • Serah    Apr 22, 2013

    Dear Lenders, First I would like to apologize for the delayed repayment of the loan and the keeping silence for long about the repayment. I have been having a lot of problems that has caused me to be confused such that i was not thinking about the repayment date to be due.
    as I had informed you of the attack by armed robbers on January 5 which led to the loss of my husband in my previous post this made my life change tremendously as i was left as the only bread winner. i have to take care of my children, pay off their school fees and feed them. During this time the rain if falling and am busy planting maize for the family future food. this has lend to over expenditure not forgetting that i do not have other source of income and May is waiting and the children are going back to school meaning more money fr the school fees. this has led me not having any other option other than having a delayed payment but am sure am going to catch up. I might even be falsed to reschedule my loan repayment. Thank you very much.

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  • CanadianBiker    Feb 19, 2013

    I'm very sorry to hear about your loss, I wish you the best - take care!

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  • nicole    Feb 18, 2013

    Serah,
    I am so sorry for your loss. My part of the loan is forgiven. You're in my prayers.

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  • MaxEmerika    Feb 15, 2013

    Dear Serah,
    We're sorry for the loss you've suffered! We helped to fund a previous loan you've paid off and are fine with forgiving this loan. Stay strong and know that we're sending you best wishes always!

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  • TheMoonDuster    Feb 15, 2013

    Very sad to hear of this, hope you are able to heal and find some peace in time. My condolences to you and your family for your loss. My part of the loan is forgiven. Hope the future brings to you a better situation. Look after yourself.

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  • lucnz    Feb 15, 2013

    I'm so very sorry to hear of your loss and troubles. Please take care and of course I have forgiven my part of the loan. So very sorry.

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  • Serah    Feb 15, 2013

    Am very much appreciative for all lender and all their wishes are very much welcome. I do not know how to express my gratitude for what they have done to me. Thank you very much and may God bless you.

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    • mikedufty    Feb 15, 2013

      Sorry to hear of your misfortune. I've forgiven my portion of the loan. I hope the money is of some assistance to you.

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  • Kitty    Feb 14, 2013

    I am so sorry for your situation and hope you recover soon

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  • Halli    Feb 14, 2013

    Oh this is nnot good. I sent my best wishes to you. Of course it is no problem, that you can not repay now. I Think an interest rate by 0 percent should be OK in this case,

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  • Catherine68    Feb 14, 2013

    Dear Serah,

    My deepest condolences on your loss... and my best wishes to you for a speedy recovery. My husband will be sending lots of positive thoughts in your direction...

    Catherine Boyle

    P.S. I have gladly forgiven my share of your loan

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  • Serah    Feb 13, 2013

    Dear Lenders,
    First I would like to apologize for the delayed repayment of the loan and the keeping silence for long about the repayment. I have been having a lot of problems that has caused me to be confused such that i was not thinking about the repayment date to be due.
    I would like to inform you that I was attacked by armed robbers on January 5 and this made my life change tremendously. The first thing that changed my life was the loss of my husband who was the head of the family who was killed by the robbers who were asking for money. they also injured me and as we speak now i am nursing my injuries. since then i have not been able to go back to my normal duties and this has lend me to almost with nothing. I hope that when i get better i will be able to start repaying my loan as soon as possible so that to stop the inconvenience. that i have made. one thing that I ask from you is if i can reschedule my loan repayment for at least two months so that i recover and tart my daily activities. I would be very much greatfull if my request is granted.
    Thank you very much for your patience.

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    • Cordula    Feb 14, 2013

      Dear Serah, this is terrible and very sad news. My thoughts are with you. I wish you a good recovery and hope you can find some support. Of course, a reschedule of your loan is not a problem at all.
      Sincerely yours
      Cordula

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    • MakeSense    Feb 14, 2013

      Hi Serah,

      Thanks for letting us know.
      I am wishing you much strength in recovering from such terrible events.
      Probably nobody will object to giving you all the time you need. Maybe more can be done by setting your interest rate to zero (if other lenders agree).

      Be well

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    • tonilends    Feb 14, 2013

      Dear Serah,
      My deepest condolences. I can't imagine how terrible this period is for you. I send you all my strength from here. The repayment should not be a priority now in your life.
      Sincerely,

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    • hugh1    Feb 14, 2013

      Dear Serah, I was appalled to read your dreadful news. Please accept my sincere condolences for your tragic loss. Clearly I will gladly go along with the suggestions of Cordula and MakeSense, or any other measures agreed by Zidisha and your other lenders that might help to make life a little more bearable for you. Be strong, Serah. Sincerely, Hugh

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    • Sonja    Feb 14, 2013

      Dearest Serah, I am so very very sorry for your terrible loss and I hope you will recover soon from your own physical injuries if not the emotional ones. This is terrible news. My interest rate is already 0, but I agree with Hugh that if there are any other ways of making life a little more bearable, then I am willing and ready to help as much as I can. On my part, I have no problem about rescheduling your loan repayments. Please look after yourself and again I am so sorry about your loss. Sincerely, Sonja

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    • share    Feb 14, 2013

      My condolences Serah. I understand there are more important things in your life right now than loan repayments. I hope that your community are helping you get through this tragic time.

      As for the Zidisha community, the faq indicates that a loan may be forgiven by lenders under extraordinary conditions. I think this is a case when we should exercise this option.

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  • share    Nov 21, 2012

    Hello Serah

    How is phase 2 of your project coming along? I'd love to see some pictures if you have some.

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    • Cordula    Feb 14, 2013

      I'd be very happy to reduce my interest rate to zero in this case.

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      • MakeSense    Feb 14, 2013

        Hi Cordula,

        I think it would be an improvement to Zidisha if there was some interface where we could change interest rates to zero on our portion of a given loan. It would be left to each lender to judge the story, and act on their own behalf.
        The amount to be repaid would then get recalculated downwards whenever some lender sets interest to zero.

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        • Cordula    Feb 14, 2013

          I have written an email to Zidisha asking how this might be possible.

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  • Serah    Nov 10, 2012

    I finally got a second loan and now very much busy in the farm because the rain is on and am planting tomatoes and cabbages. I also want to roof the tank .

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    • MakeSense    Nov 16, 2012

      Well done. I see you are working hard and smart. Your success will be a good inspiration for the other zidisha members.

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  • share    Oct 31, 2012

    Paying off your loan so quickly earned you the confidence of Zidisha lenders. The result was very fast funding of your current loan at a very favourable interest rate. I hope you will succeed as well with this loan as the last.
    Best of luck with your plans to grow your business.

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  • Kitty    Oct 29, 2012

    congratulations on paying the loan, best wishes for the next stage

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  • Serah    Oct 29, 2012

    Dear lenders, now that the first loan helped me to build a water tank, i will use the money lend to roof the tank and buy water pipes that will come from the river to the tank so as to fill the tank will water for irrigation. I have thought on how i will get the water even if it will cost me such that the water will flow on gravity instead of using a petrol pump machine, the water can flow on gravity hence no extra cost on petrol after the success of the plan.

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    • share    Oct 29, 2012

      Congratulations on your success. You paid off your first loan very quickly so I'm happy to contribute toward your second loan. Best of luck with your plans. Please keep telling us how things are progressing.

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    • Sonja    Oct 29, 2012

      Happy to help out again and wish you good luck with the next step in your venture!

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  • Susanne    Oct 28, 2012

    I am so impressed by your good work and well-earned success! Keep on rockin'! :) All the best to you!

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  • share    Oct 28, 2012

    I see I was right in saying you have good business sense and are planning ahead for success. I'll be glad to help fund your next loan.

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