One on one education with Gyewie about Zidisha after our meeting. The meeting was very fruitful and many were very happy upon hearing the good news about Zidisha.
hello! I wanted to talk about another activity that I do at home! I also do sales of different breeds of birds ... they are call'd parakeets and callopsites . and for 5 years I produced these species and my prices these torque parakeets I sell a 15.000cfa and callopsitte has 50.000cfa . here are some pictures
I am taking this opportunity to thank my Lenders and the Zidisha team for this great assistance you have offered me, I accepted the bids yesterday and today I received the loan. That was amazing! I never thought it would be that fast, I really appreciate.
I am also informing you that we agreed with the electrician today that we shall buy some materials tomorrow Saturday and complete everything by Monday. I'll be posting and informing you on the progress. Once again, thank you very much.
Hi,
I am doing very well and my family too. Business also is on the increase every single day. I am very grateful for the loan I received and I trust that yiu will also continue to increase.
I just bought a very nice P4 desktop computer which I will have it in my office on monday 2nd february. I will send a photo then.
My family is doing very well and we are very much happier and looking forward for increased business and eventually being lenders here at zidisha.
It was a pleasure to get to meet with Ishmail last night, if briefly, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu.
When I ask Ishmail if he was always intrigued by sewing and fashion design, he laughs and shakes his head in a strong, “No.” He had little interest in the field and was only involved reluctantly at first. But living in a poor and abusive home, he started to help a tailor friend of his father’s in return for food and pocket money. Eight years, an apprenticeship, and a lot of savings later, Ishmail owns his own business designing and producing high quality African clothing. He is even passing his knowledge on to a young apprentice of his own. (We weren’t able to visit his shop as we spent a lot of time working through a friend’s application but you can see pictures of some of his work in his profile.)
Ishmail’s first Zidisha loan has helped him buy fabric stock for his designs so that he can produce enough to meet a rising demand. But he really looks forward to growing his relationship with Zidisha lenders and using his lending capital to expand his operations from one small sewing machine to three industrial machines, which would allow him to produce on a greater scale and hire more workers. Additionally, Ishmail has recently become a Volunteer Mentor in order to help others realize the benefits of their loans.
I know Ishmail is grateful for the support he has received from his lenders and we are excited to see his business grow and expand!
Waiting for my other members for discussion on the way forward on our co-operative union Theme: Co-operation in Honesty.AGENDA The best way forward for the union. Will also take the opportunity to introduce Zidisha to them.
I was happy to meet Ebenezer earlier this week, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at his office in Kumasi. Ebenezer works teaching ICT (computer skills) classes to Kumasi youth and repairing computers. (When I arrived he was working on the keyboard of a laptop, pictured below.) He says Zidisha has been helping him a lot, but had a few setbacks last year and fell behind in payments. We were able to reschedule and get him back on track, and he looks forward to paying off this loan and continuing to work with Zidisha’s lenders to grow his business. He is thankful for the support he has received, and we wish him well going forward!
I enjoyed meeting Obed on Wednesday, with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at his internet cafe outside of Kumasi.
He gave me a tour of the small café, including the café’s new color printer, computers and accessories he has been able to buy with previous Zidisha loans, and the empty desks where he hopes to house more. He is planning on buying new machines soon in anticipation of the rise in demand that comes along with school vacation. I witnessed this firsthand as a group of enthusiastic schoolchildren still in their uniforms crowded the café at the end of the day - most lacking internet or computer access at home.
The café also offers ICT and computer literacy courses to community members who are less familiar with the technology. Although all-too-frequent government imposed power outages can be problematic and Obed is in the market for a new generator after his old second-hand one has broken.
Obed is a true businessman and professional with lots of ideas, for his own business as well as for Zidisha, and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with him. He is grateful for the help his lenders have provided in overcoming the challenges of running a computer business in rural Ghana, and looks forward to using Zidisha loans to continue growing his business. We are excited to see what is next!
Zidisha loan has made me pround since it has made me increase my chicks.I had layers and now i have added kenbrew.Thanks zidisha for your support.please find my chicks picture.
I am happy I have completed repaying my second loan with Zidisha. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive when I got the money since I was trying a new venture and I was not very sure of its success. To my pleasant surprise, my uniform business did sufficiently well and this enabled me to repay the loan on time – in fact before schedule.
The business has grown exponentially and I now have many orders to supply to various schools and I am hoping to get funding again to enable me cope with the high demand. The flip-side of all this is that I have been very busy and I hardly get time to update my dear lenders on my progress. I hope to find time very soon and send you some photos of my work.
Thank you Sven E,Antony provide for to some of the children at my school at reduced cost as away of giving back to the community.I call upon other lenders to come out and lend him,I sure lenders that beings his Community Leader he will not let you down,I only recommend very serious people.
Dear lenders I am asking for your support for my business,it is a very viable business since schools in Kenya are currently opened and the school going children are my clients/customers.Below is pone of my employees serving chips to customers.
Teresah, I am very impressed with the presentation of your business plan and the fact that you have undertaken it to reduce the burden of food costs for the members of your community. You are a stellar example of the potential Zidisha has to benefit not only entrepreneurs but also entire regions. I look forward to hearing about the progress of your latest business venture!
It was really a pleasure to get to meet Prosper yesterday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. We met at the school where he works in Swedru, a rural community outside of Kumasi, as a teacher of science and math. Any time he is not at the school, Prosper can be found working on his farm, a bit of a walk from town, where he farms and harvests okra (okro) for sale.
Zidisha loans have allowed Prosper to significantly grow his harvest – making three hectares of land available to him rather than the original one. He then uses these profits to help his own family as well as several needy children he has taken the responsibility to help. He explained that he can finally afford the school fees for one girl, who will start secondary school in Kumasi on Monday. Prosper is also very interested in helping his community generally, and has been pitching in to help with his friend (and fellow Zidisha borrower) Aziz Zakari’s campaign for assemblyman of the combined Wawasi-Swedru district.
It was so wonderful to get to meet and chat with Prosper about his work, passions, and the situation of the community he lives in, and I know he is grateful for the opportunity and support given to him by his Zidisha lenders - they have already made quite an impact in his crops. He hopes to finish paying off his loan in the next week so that he can apply for another one. We wish him all the best!
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my lenders for the loan i received ealier, it has gone a long way to help me harvest my maize, even though i didnt realise a bumpy harvest, but i thank God and zidisha fraternity for this far i have reached.
I have harvested and stored 16 bags of maize awaiting to be sold, thanks alot
It was a pleasure to meet Atta this past Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. He experienced some trouble last year with repayments and with accessing the website, but we were able to reschedule his loan and get him back on track. Atta is friendly and jovial, and appreciative of the support he has received from Zidisha lenders. Through the use of Zidisha loans, he has been able to boost his business and help support his family, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship with future loans.
I had the opportunity to meet with Amo briefly on Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. I am happy to report that, after having his phone stolen, he was able to recover his MTN number! So we were able to reschedule his loan and he hopes to get back on track with repayments after this setback. His loans have made a big difference in helping him increase his profits and fund his education, and he is incredibly thankful to Zidisha lenders for their understanding support. We wish Amo the best!
Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu and I were fortunate to be able to meet Aziz on Tuesday, at his office where he works as a graphic designer in Kumasi. We got to take a look at some of his recent work (see the book cover) and meet his coworkers as well (pictured below). Aziz struggled to make payments last year as most of his time and energy was devoted to his campaign.
As you may gather from his profile picture, Aziz is running for Assemblyman of his home district, which comprises the rural communities of Wawasi and Swedru, outside of Kumasi. He explained that his community is frustrated with the lack of support and resources they have received from the government, especially regarding access to water and sanitation – there are only two boreholes (wells) shared between the two communities and with heavy use, one is often broken. The election for assembly will take place in March of this year and Aziz’s priorities are to improve the water and sanitation situation and to set up a public computer lab and ICT training center – most of the community members have no access to computers or the internet at all.
It was really enlightening to get to talk to Aziz about his concerns. We rescheduled Aziz’s loan so that he is back on track. Zidisha has been a big help in allowing him to continue to grow his business while also working to support his community, and he appreciates the support he has received. We wish him the best of luck both in business and in elections come March!
I was glad for the chance to meet Atindana Castro on Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. Although he had some trouble making payments last year, he is eager to continue to pay off his loan and work with Zidisha to support his cyber café and the IT classes that he offers to the public. I know he appreciates the help of his Zidisha lenders and we wish him the best with his future loans!
I was able to meet Collins yesterday, with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at Oforikrom Junior High School, where he teaches ICT classes. Although he had some trouble with making payments last year, we rescheduled his loan and he is eager to get back on track with payments and continue to raise Zidisha loans.
We also had the opportunity to discuss the difficulty of teaching computer skills classes to students without adequate technology. Although computer and internet literacy is a priority for many Ghanaians, many public schools are severely underfunded and lack the resources to properly equip their classrooms. He hopes, after he pays of his current loan, that Zidisha loans can help provide his classroom with a projector and wireless technology so that he can teach his students more efficiently.
I know that Collins is grateful for the support and understanding of his lenders, and we wish him the best.
I met Samuel yesterday along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu to talk about how he was doing with Zidisha. We met at his mother’s stand on the roadside where he often helps her sell mobile phone recharge cards and other personal accessories. Although Samuel had a bit of trouble repaying his loan last year as he didn’t have as much time to devote to work once school started, he has a new job at a supermarket and looks forward to paying off this loan and continuing his education. We were not able get reception at the time, but he plans on rescheduling his loan soon to be back on track.
We wish Samuel the best of luck with his education and he is grateful for the support from his lenders.
I had the pleasure of meeting Akwasi on Tuesday along with his Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. Akwasi ran into some trouble paying last year but we have rescheduled and he is back on track. I also got to take a peek at his office in Kumasi where he repairs computers. Below he is holding the motherboard that he bought with his last Zidisha loan, as well as displaying a laptop that he recently repaired. Also pictured is the (loud but effective) generator they purchased six months ago to enable the cyber café to run during power outages (which are frequent in Ghana).
I know Akwasi is thankful for the support he has received from his lenders and looks forward to continuing that relationship. We wish him the best!
Wow!!! What can say, One thing I can say, Thank you so very much for your support. My business is better 100 folds . My chicks are not getting sick from of water contamination because the loan helped me to install new drinking system which is automatic , My incubator is hatching chicks every month again because you helped my buy it. To be honest, my business is making more profits thanks to you lenders who have funded my loans unconditionally and generously. On be thing i promise you, I will not et you down. Thanks again and again.
Zidisha saved me from doing things manually while serving my customers to now fully keeping records on the Laptop to keep track of my clients .
I feel so blessed to be a Zidisha member as part of my loan made me purchase a laptop which was very necessary in the business.
Thank you my lenders for the awesome help that you gave me.I bought a hair dryer equipment and it has tremendously improved my business.It shortened the waiting time meaning no time wastage for the clients,and this has been a boost to my business.The number of customers I serve per day have increased by 20 % thanks to the hair dryer.The hair hair dryer has been a godsend.My income has increased and I cn afford to take my children out to the park often,and I have been able to participate in chrch activitites even more.like last weekend we went to the park and we enjoyed boat rides and the children did face painting.
Would like to thank all lenders for making our dreams come true,
as for my case I bought an extra computer for my upcoming cyber cafe',an extra machine means additional income,approximately an extra Ksh 4,000 per month,and this in turn would mean more stock for my business.
Last sunday was my daughter's birthday, huh'. She turned one. my lovely angel. Couldn't be happier.
I am very thankfull for your kind support.Your loan has really help me to expand my business and little by little i see myself achieving my ambition in life.Am very greatfull for Zidisha for giving me unique opportunity to raise loan.With small business getting a loan has been a big challege hear in kenya.Now i am able to repay more because my revenue has increase.Thank you very much.
thank you so mach for the loan i received, i was able to purchase an industrial sewing machine and it is currently in my workshop.
the machine has boosted my production rate, I am now producing more suits in a day and and i have created a job for a tailor.
i am projecting higher profits.
this improvement has really encouraged me to work header for my business my workers are happy because pressure has reduced,
pictures coming up soon.
my regards,
Derrick Otieno
Hi dear lenders, my farm is doing great with the water equipment i have installed so far, that is a water pump machine and a water tank. i can now manually pump water into the tank and later on irrigate my farm. Am looking forward for a good harvest in my farm and make another step in developing my farm. I appreciate you all and may you be blessed!!
hallow my good lenders,thank you very much for allowing me serve my customers better at the time my service was needed. it made me get more becouse isupplied the educational materials on time.at the moment my suppliers can give me materials on small credit becouse so far iv been doing well with them. ihave been able to pay for my wifes collage fee from the the same business and my familly is doing good. thanks alot
#Team zidisha, I would like to also inform you that apart from my printing shop, I also love to do charity work. I love children and I love educating and encouraging them that despite the hardships they face in life, they can and will one day make it if they are focused and work hard. Here are the two books that I have authored: Helping Nafula's Mother educates children between 4 to 7 years about HIV/AIDs, how it is spread, how they can take care of those who are infected and those that are affected in their community....
Today i am seeing the five donkeys which are being offered for sale.I am yet to choose one but God willing i will purchase one by the end of this week,wish me the best.It is very hot in our part of the country and people are buying grains in readiness for the rains which come after the hot season.I hope all of you are doing fine.
the business has really picled up well after the long wait for the schools to repoen. am glad am supplying more than last year. the business has grown and i know with zidisha by my side, megabyte computers is going to be a very big company. i am expanding now to supplying stationary ....full business now
I have completed payment of the last instalment and in good time. I have almost doubled my profit with the new and bigger storage facility. Infact i am now able to sell even rabbit meat and doing even better than chicken.I thank God for the far my business has reached. I thank all who entrusted me with their money. God bless you mightly. I wish to launch another project of purchasing a motorbike for carrying my products. This will help reduce transport cost and thus raise my profit margin.
Mamadou Sokhna
Jan 30, 2015
Diourbel, Senegal
FOND DE DEROULEMENT COMMERCE
LE JOUR DU REMIS DU LOT GAGNE SUR LES TRANSFER
Thomas Kwame Billa
Jan 30, 2015
Sunyani, Ghana
Inventory for my kitchen utensil shop
One on one education with Gyewie about Zidisha after our meeting. The meeting was very fruitful and many were very happy upon hearing the good news about Zidisha.
Mouhamed Moustapha Seck
Jan 30, 2015
Dakar-fann, Senegal
Raising Chickens
hello! I wanted to talk about another activity that I do at home! I also do sales of different breeds of birds ... they are call'd parakeets and callopsites . and for 5 years I produced these species and my prices these torque parakeets I sell a 15.000cfa and callopsitte has 50.000cfa . here are some pictures
Jane Nduta
Jan 30, 2015
Kariobangi, Kenya
Adding electricity to food retail kiosk
I am taking this opportunity to thank my Lenders and the Zidisha team for this great assistance you have offered me, I accepted the bids yesterday and today I received the loan. That was amazing! I never thought it would be that fast, I really appreciate.
I am also informing you that we agreed with the electrician today that we shall buy some materials tomorrow Saturday and complete everything by Monday. I'll be posting and informing you on the progress. Once again, thank you very much.
Dishon Maliga
Jan 30, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Better computer for better services
Hi,
I am doing very well and my family too. Business also is on the increase every single day. I am very grateful for the loan I received and I trust that yiu will also continue to increase.
I just bought a very nice P4 desktop computer which I will have it in my office on monday 2nd february. I will send a photo then.
My family is doing very well and we are very much happier and looking forward for increased business and eventually being lenders here at zidisha.
Thanks,
Dishon Maliga
Taylor Hanna
Jan 30, 2015
United States
Clothes materials for clothing production
Dear Lenders,
It was a pleasure to get to meet with Ishmail last night, if briefly, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu.
When I ask Ishmail if he was always intrigued by sewing and fashion design, he laughs and shakes his head in a strong, “No.” He had little interest in the field and was only involved reluctantly at first. But living in a poor and abusive home, he started to help a tailor friend of his father’s in return for food and pocket money. Eight years, an apprenticeship, and a lot of savings later, Ishmail owns his own business designing and producing high quality African clothing. He is even passing his knowledge on to a young apprentice of his own. (We weren’t able to visit his shop as we spent a lot of time working through a friend’s application but you can see pictures of some of his work in his profile.)
Ishmail’s first Zidisha loan has helped him buy fabric stock for his designs so that he can produce enough to meet a rising demand. But he really looks forward to growing his relationship with Zidisha lenders and using his lending capital to expand his operations from one small sewing machine to three industrial machines, which would allow him to produce on a greater scale and hire more workers. Additionally, Ishmail has recently become a Volunteer Mentor in order to help others realize the benefits of their loans.
I know Ishmail is grateful for the support he has received from his lenders and we are excited to see his business grow and expand!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Thomas Kwame Billa
Jan 30, 2015
Sunyani, Ghana
Inventory for my kitchen utensil shop
Waiting for my other members for discussion on the way forward on our co-operative union Theme: Co-operation in Honesty.AGENDA The best way forward for the union. Will also take the opportunity to introduce Zidisha to them.
Taylor Hanna
Jan 30, 2015
United States
ICT training center
Dear Lenders,
I was happy to meet Ebenezer earlier this week, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at his office in Kumasi. Ebenezer works teaching ICT (computer skills) classes to Kumasi youth and repairing computers. (When I arrived he was working on the keyboard of a laptop, pictured below.) He says Zidisha has been helping him a lot, but had a few setbacks last year and fell behind in payments. We were able to reschedule and get him back on track, and he looks forward to paying off this loan and continuing to work with Zidisha’s lenders to grow his business. He is thankful for the support he has received, and we wish him well going forward!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Faith Aburi
Jan 30, 2015
Meru, Kenya
Mum love day care
to make people look beautiful you should look great also. these are some of the braids I sell that I used to make my self beautiful
Taylor Hanna
Jan 30, 2015
United States
Purchase of chairs for pupils
Dear Lenders,
I enjoyed meeting Obed on Wednesday, with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at his internet cafe outside of Kumasi.
He gave me a tour of the small café, including the café’s new color printer, computers and accessories he has been able to buy with previous Zidisha loans, and the empty desks where he hopes to house more. He is planning on buying new machines soon in anticipation of the rise in demand that comes along with school vacation. I witnessed this firsthand as a group of enthusiastic schoolchildren still in their uniforms crowded the café at the end of the day - most lacking internet or computer access at home.
The café also offers ICT and computer literacy courses to community members who are less familiar with the technology. Although all-too-frequent government imposed power outages can be problematic and Obed is in the market for a new generator after his old second-hand one has broken.
Obed is a true businessman and professional with lots of ideas, for his own business as well as for Zidisha, and it was a pleasure to have the opportunity to talk with him. He is grateful for the help his lenders have provided in overcoming the challenges of running a computer business in rural Ghana, and looks forward to using Zidisha loans to continue growing his business. We are excited to see what is next!
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Kelvin Nduati
Jan 30, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Purchasing soap, detergent, and washing basins for ironing business
my current business premises
Angella Nyamisi
Jan 30, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
More chicks for my poultry project
please find the next photo for your perusal.
Angella Nyamisi
Jan 30, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
More chicks for my poultry project
Zidisha loan has made me pround since it has made me increase my chicks.I had layers and now i have added kenbrew.Thanks zidisha for your support.please find my chicks picture.
Ivy Wanjiku
Jan 30, 2015
Mombasa, Kenya
Inventory of school uniforms for sale
I am happy I have completed repaying my second loan with Zidisha. I must admit that I was a bit apprehensive when I got the money since I was trying a new venture and I was not very sure of its success. To my pleasant surprise, my uniform business did sufficiently well and this enabled me to repay the loan on time – in fact before schedule.
The business has grown exponentially and I now have many orders to supply to various schools and I am hoping to get funding again to enable me cope with the high demand. The flip-side of all this is that I have been very busy and I hardly get time to update my dear lenders on my progress. I hope to find time very soon and send you some photos of my work.
Charles Owino
Jan 29, 2015
Nairobi City, Kenya
Improving my food selling business.
Thank you Sven E,Antony provide for to some of the children at my school at reduced cost as away of giving back to the community.I call upon other lenders to come out and lend him,I sure lenders that beings his Community Leader he will not let you down,I only recommend very serious people.
Antony Maswili
Jan 29, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Improving my food selling business.
Dear lenders I am asking for your support for my business,it is a very viable business since schools in Kenya are currently opened and the school going children are my clients/customers.Below is pone of my employees serving chips to customers.
Empowerment
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Stocking cooking gas cylinders for a cleaner energy source
Teresah, I am very impressed with the presentation of your business plan and the fact that you have undertaken it to reduce the burden of food costs for the members of your community. You are a stellar example of the potential Zidisha has to benefit not only entrepreneurs but also entire regions. I look forward to hearing about the progress of your latest business venture!
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
To buy weedicide to clear weeds from my farm
Dear Lenders,
It was really a pleasure to get to meet Prosper yesterday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. We met at the school where he works in Swedru, a rural community outside of Kumasi, as a teacher of science and math. Any time he is not at the school, Prosper can be found working on his farm, a bit of a walk from town, where he farms and harvests okra (okro) for sale.
Zidisha loans have allowed Prosper to significantly grow his harvest – making three hectares of land available to him rather than the original one. He then uses these profits to help his own family as well as several needy children he has taken the responsibility to help. He explained that he can finally afford the school fees for one girl, who will start secondary school in Kumasi on Monday. Prosper is also very interested in helping his community generally, and has been pitching in to help with his friend (and fellow Zidisha borrower) Aziz Zakari’s campaign for assemblyman of the combined Wawasi-Swedru district.
It was so wonderful to get to meet and chat with Prosper about his work, passions, and the situation of the community he lives in, and I know he is grateful for the opportunity and support given to him by his Zidisha lenders - they have already made quite an impact in his crops. He hopes to finish paying off his loan in the next week so that he can apply for another one. We wish him all the best!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Faith Kanana
Jan 29, 2015
Nkubu-meru, Kenya
Fridge and coolbox for drugs insulin and vaccines storage.
attending my vegetable farm
Linda Dindi
Jan 29, 2015
Ekisumo Village, Nambale District, Kenya
Buy fertilizer, cultivate maize to raise fees for university
I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank my lenders for the loan i received ealier, it has gone a long way to help me harvest my maize, even though i didnt realise a bumpy harvest, but i thank God and zidisha fraternity for this far i have reached.
I have harvested and stored 16 bags of maize awaiting to be sold, thanks alot
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Second-hand clothing sales
Dear Lenders,
It was a pleasure to meet Atta this past Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. He experienced some trouble last year with repayments and with accessing the website, but we were able to reschedule his loan and get him back on track. Atta is friendly and jovial, and appreciative of the support he has received from Zidisha lenders. Through the use of Zidisha loans, he has been able to boost his business and help support his family, and he looks forward to continuing that relationship with future loans.
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Laptop inventory
Dear Lenders,
I had the opportunity to meet with Amo briefly on Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. I am happy to report that, after having his phone stolen, he was able to recover his MTN number! So we were able to reschedule his loan and he hopes to get back on track with repayments after this setback. His loans have made a big difference in helping him increase his profits and fund his education, and he is incredibly thankful to Zidisha lenders for their understanding support. We wish Amo the best!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Expand my business
Dear Lenders,
Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu and I were fortunate to be able to meet Aziz on Tuesday, at his office where he works as a graphic designer in Kumasi. We got to take a look at some of his recent work (see the book cover) and meet his coworkers as well (pictured below). Aziz struggled to make payments last year as most of his time and energy was devoted to his campaign.
As you may gather from his profile picture, Aziz is running for Assemblyman of his home district, which comprises the rural communities of Wawasi and Swedru, outside of Kumasi. He explained that his community is frustrated with the lack of support and resources they have received from the government, especially regarding access to water and sanitation – there are only two boreholes (wells) shared between the two communities and with heavy use, one is often broken. The election for assembly will take place in March of this year and Aziz’s priorities are to improve the water and sanitation situation and to set up a public computer lab and ICT training center – most of the community members have no access to computers or the internet at all.
It was really enlightening to get to talk to Aziz about his concerns. We rescheduled Aziz’s loan so that he is back on track. Zidisha has been a big help in allowing him to continue to grow his business while also working to support his community, and he appreciates the support he has received. We wish him the best of luck both in business and in elections come March!
Thank you,
Taylor
Zidisha Team
Everlyne Lusabe
Jan 29, 2015
Kanduyi Area Of Bungoma, Kenya
Inventory for Clothing Stall
Behind me are some of the many trucks that park at Kanduyi on their way from the port of Kenya,Mombasa to the landlocked country of Uganda.
Everlyne Lusabe
Jan 29, 2015
Kanduyi Area Of Bungoma, Kenya
Inventory for Clothing Stall
Working hard at my stall in Kanduyi.
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Computer accessories for cybercafe
Dear Lenders,
I was glad for the chance to meet Atindana Castro on Tuesday, along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. Although he had some trouble making payments last year, he is eager to continue to pay off his loan and work with Zidisha to support his cyber café and the IT classes that he offers to the public. I know he appreciates the help of his Zidisha lenders and we wish him the best with his future loans!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Scratch card
Dear Lenders
I was able to meet Collins yesterday, with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu, at Oforikrom Junior High School, where he teaches ICT classes. Although he had some trouble with making payments last year, we rescheduled his loan and he is eager to get back on track with payments and continue to raise Zidisha loans.
We also had the opportunity to discuss the difficulty of teaching computer skills classes to students without adequate technology. Although computer and internet literacy is a priority for many Ghanaians, many public schools are severely underfunded and lack the resources to properly equip their classrooms. He hopes, after he pays of his current loan, that Zidisha loans can help provide his classroom with a projector and wireless technology so that he can teach his students more efficiently.
I know that Collins is grateful for the support and understanding of his lenders, and we wish him the best.
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
Selling ladies' handbags
Dear Lenders
I met Samuel yesterday along with Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu to talk about how he was doing with Zidisha. We met at his mother’s stand on the roadside where he often helps her sell mobile phone recharge cards and other personal accessories. Although Samuel had a bit of trouble repaying his loan last year as he didn’t have as much time to devote to work once school started, he has a new job at a supermarket and looks forward to paying off this loan and continuing his education. We were not able get reception at the time, but he plans on rescheduling his loan soon to be back on track.
We wish Samuel the best of luck with his education and he is grateful for the support from his lenders.
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Jan 29, 2015
United States
I want to use this loan to open my own businessasi
Dear Lenders,
I had the pleasure of meeting Akwasi on Tuesday along with his Volunteer Mentor George Bonsu. Akwasi ran into some trouble paying last year but we have rescheduled and he is back on track. I also got to take a peek at his office in Kumasi where he repairs computers. Below he is holding the motherboard that he bought with his last Zidisha loan, as well as displaying a laptop that he recently repaired. Also pictured is the (loud but effective) generator they purchased six months ago to enable the cyber café to run during power outages (which are frequent in Ghana).
I know Akwasi is thankful for the support he has received from his lenders and looks forward to continuing that relationship. We wish him the best!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Ambassador
Zidisha
Bramwel Cheroben
Jan 29, 2015
Sendera, Kenya
Motorbike project
my chicken
Geoffrey Mwaniki
Jan 29, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Purchasing 700 chicks as commercial layers
Wow!!! What can say, One thing I can say, Thank you so very much for your support. My business is better 100 folds . My chicks are not getting sick from of water contamination because the loan helped me to install new drinking system which is automatic , My incubator is hatching chicks every month again because you helped my buy it. To be honest, my business is making more profits thanks to you lenders who have funded my loans unconditionally and generously. On be thing i promise you, I will not et you down. Thanks again and again.
Martha Nyambura Mwega
Jan 29, 2015
Kibaoni, Kenya
Stocking the business
This is me the the middle with my daughter Esther and her daughter Lavine wishing you all the best
Stephen Shikuku
Jan 29, 2015
Rarieda,asembo South, Kenya
Tuition for my education
Zidisha saved me from doing things manually while serving my customers to now fully keeping records on the Laptop to keep track of my clients .
I feel so blessed to be a Zidisha member as part of my loan made me purchase a laptop which was very necessary in the business.
Long live Zidisha
Millicent Odotte
Jan 29, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Purchase of two hair dryers for my salon
Thank you my lenders for the awesome help that you gave me.I bought a hair dryer equipment and it has tremendously improved my business.It shortened the waiting time meaning no time wastage for the clients,and this has been a boost to my business.The number of customers I serve per day have increased by 20 % thanks to the hair dryer.The hair hair dryer has been a godsend.My income has increased and I cn afford to take my children out to the park often,and I have been able to participate in chrch activitites even more.like last weekend we went to the park and we enjoyed boat rides and the children did face painting.
Sammy Karanja
Jan 29, 2015
Komarocks, Kenya
Funds to buy a digital camera
Would like to thank all lenders for making our dreams come true,
as for my case I bought an extra computer for my upcoming cyber cafe',an extra machine means additional income,approximately an extra Ksh 4,000 per month,and this in turn would mean more stock for my business.
Last sunday was my daughter's birthday, huh'. She turned one. my lovely angel. Couldn't be happier.
Evans Moywaywa
Jan 29, 2015
Gesonso, Bomwanda, Kenya
Inventory for my electronics repair business
Thank you all my lenders and this is part of my progress
Geofrey Yegon
Jan 28, 2015
Langalanga Estate In Nakuru, Kenya
Adding stock
My first book, get your copy
Francis Mbogoro
Jan 28, 2015
Njoro, Kenya
More malaria treatment drugs
Dear lenders,
I am very thankfull for your kind support.Your loan has really help me to expand my business and little by little i see myself achieving my ambition in life.Am very greatfull for Zidisha for giving me unique opportunity to raise loan.With small business getting a loan has been a big challege hear in kenya.Now i am able to repay more because my revenue has increase.Thank you very much.
Derrick Otieno
Jan 28, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
New industrial overlock machine
thank you so mach for the loan i received, i was able to purchase an industrial sewing machine and it is currently in my workshop.
the machine has boosted my production rate, I am now producing more suits in a day and and i have created a job for a tailor.
i am projecting higher profits.
this improvement has really encouraged me to work header for my business my workers are happy because pressure has reduced,
pictures coming up soon.
my regards,
Derrick Otieno
Mildred Wafula
Jan 28, 2015
Namarambi, Kenya
Renovating a leaking roof for my business
I have bought a new printer. This is how the printer looks like and I hope it is going to help me.
Elijah Rubia
Jan 28, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Inventory of rice, maize flour and sugar for my retail shop
Hi Team,
I received the disbursment today.
Already I was able to add more stock to the shop this morning.
Thank you lenders.
John Kudoyi
Jan 28, 2015
Mundika, Kenya
Water tank for irrigation and water storage
Hi dear lenders, my farm is doing great with the water equipment i have installed so far, that is a water pump machine and a water tank. i can now manually pump water into the tank and later on irrigate my farm. Am looking forward for a good harvest in my farm and make another step in developing my farm. I appreciate you all and may you be blessed!!
Morine Mwangi
Jan 28, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Printer for my cybercafe
me...
Gilbert Onzere
Jan 28, 2015
Nakuru Shauri Yako Estate, Kenya
Lab exam items
hallow my good lenders,thank you very much for allowing me serve my customers better at the time my service was needed. it made me get more becouse isupplied the educational materials on time.at the moment my suppliers can give me materials on small credit becouse so far iv been doing well with them. ihave been able to pay for my wifes collage fee from the the same business and my familly is doing good. thanks alot
Morine Mwangi
Jan 28, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Printer for my cybercafe
Disability Is not Inability is a story that teaches children to appreciate themselves despite their challenges..
Morine Mwangi
Jan 28, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Printer for my cybercafe
#Team zidisha, I would like to also inform you that apart from my printing shop, I also love to do charity work. I love children and I love educating and encouraging them that despite the hardships they face in life, they can and will one day make it if they are focused and work hard. Here are the two books that I have authored: Helping Nafula's Mother educates children between 4 to 7 years about HIV/AIDs, how it is spread, how they can take care of those who are infected and those that are affected in their community....
Priscilla Agolla
Jan 28, 2015
Bungoma Town, Kenya
Loan for maize purchases
Today i am seeing the five donkeys which are being offered for sale.I am yet to choose one but God willing i will purchase one by the end of this week,wish me the best.It is very hot in our part of the country and people are buying grains in readiness for the rains which come after the hot season.I hope all of you are doing fine.
Emmanuel Khayo
Jan 28, 2015
Mombasa, Kenya
Stationery and photocopy paper supply
the business has really picled up well after the long wait for the schools to repoen. am glad am supplying more than last year. the business has grown and i know with zidisha by my side, megabyte computers is going to be a very big company. i am expanding now to supplying stationary ....full business now
Dickson Ngari
Jan 28, 2015
Karuri, Kenya
Loan to buy a table and seats for my chicken hotel
I have completed payment of the last instalment and in good time. I have almost doubled my profit with the new and bigger storage facility. Infact i am now able to sell even rabbit meat and doing even better than chicken.I thank God for the far my business has reached. I thank all who entrusted me with their money. God bless you mightly. I wish to launch another project of purchasing a motorbike for carrying my products. This will help reduce transport cost and thus raise my profit margin.
Pharis Githiga
Jan 28, 2015
Ngong, Kenya
Chicken rearing
The car is in working condition. Thank you.