Zidisha | Project Updates

Project Updates

The latest updates from projects made possible by our global community.

Ernestina · Bechem, Ghana

Feb 4, 2017

Dear lender, I bring you greetings from my family over here. I doing well in my business now. I'm grateful for your support

George · Mbwa Kali Estate,in Rongo Town Of Migori County, Kenya

Feb 4, 2017

Good morning,another beautiful day to make a difference, thank you zidisha for this opportunity.

Dancan · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 3, 2017

Thanks again Mr. Chris Turner and Laurie for your Wishes. Could you share the reason please if you don't mind Mr. Chris...?

Mervis · Lusaka/helen Kaunda, Zambia

Feb 3, 2017

My cooking comment image

dcorbetta · Carate Brianza, Italy

Feb 3, 2017

Hi, I'm From a town in Italy famous for sofà production..... so have a good job!

shena · Canada

Feb 3, 2017

Hi Mark, how is your seedling business doing? We would appreciate an update. Thanks.

Agyei · Tepa, Ghana

Feb 3, 2017

i will pay my mothers rent so that she will a good place to stay thank you

Asare · Berekum, Ghana

Feb 3, 2017

Lenders this is the pictures of the items i bought with your assistance of helping me expanding my business. thank you all. comment image

Francisse · Ouarkoye, Burkina Faso

Feb 3, 2017

Bonsoir, chers prêteurs. J'ai reçu mon argent. Merci beaucoup. Je vous tiendra informés de mes activités encore. Merci. Good evening, dear lenders. I received my money. Thank you very much. I will keep you informed about my business again. Thank you.

Laurie · United States

Feb 3, 2017

Dancan, we very much appreciate successful borrowers like yourself, who take the time to read, understand, plan, and who fulfill their obligations. There are many, many like you on the platform and it's always a pleasure for us to help borrowers like you who demonstrate such goodwill and such financial integrity. We always wish you well! And every bit of what borrowers repay to lenders like me (who have opted for a Donation Lending Account) goes toward helping other borrowers on the platform. :-)

Laurie · United States

Feb 3, 2017

You're welcome, Chris. :-) Happy to have you here! And, ditto: Best wishes for your business, Dancan! :-)

Laurie · United States

Feb 3, 2017

Thank you for your detailed reply, too, Dancan! :-) I want to clarify a little bit, that although Zidisha lenders used to be able to charge interest on the portion of a loan to which they contributed, lenders no longer charge anything at all to Zidisha borrowers. (We lenders receive nothing at all but the warm feeling of knowing we're helping others.) It is the Zidisha organization (Zidisha, Inc.) which charges the fees mentioned, to cover the costs associated with running the non-profit (including, but not limited to, reimbursing lenders in the amounts previously described in case any borrowers default). Also, something else that often causes confusion among borrowers is that most lenders are *not* on the Zidisha Staff. [1] Lenders contribute money toward fully funding a loan, but it's *not* the lenders who disburse loans, credit repayments, or perform any other administrative tasks. That work is done by the Zidisha Staff, which--(except for two paid programmers)--is comprised of volunteer teams. There are several teams of volunteers, one team for each country Zidisha serves (and all of the Staff works remotely from their own computers in various other countries throughout the world). A borrower can ask specific questions about his or her account by sending a detailed email to "[email protected]" (with the name of the country in the Subject line, for faster routing to the correct team). [2] The borrower Discussion page is intended mainly just for borrowers and lenders to communicate with one another about the borrower's work and other aspects of his or her life (and about lenders' work and other aspects of their lives, too, if they would like to share). Also, the borrower can and should let lenders know the date and amount of any repayment that hasn't reflected on his or her account after three business days, but all other details should *not* be posted on the Discussion page; rather, those should be sent via email to the attention of the appropriate team. [3] The public Forum, as mentioned previously, is for general questions (not specific account questions), and for socializing. It's another place, besides the borrower Discussion pages, where borrowers and lenders can get to know one another. :-)

Mr Chris Turner · Cambridge forever England, United Kingdom

Feb 3, 2017

Hello Dancan and Laurie Thank you very much for your responses to my finance questions its much clearer now. I have been to Kenya some time ago to visit a youth I sponsored. Travelled mainly by matutu bus, its a beautiful country. Kenya's Zidisha membership loan fund seems rather high but I think I can understand why. Thanks again and best wishes for your business Chris

Dancan · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 3, 2017

thanks Laurie for the more Detailed Expanation

Dancan · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 3, 2017

......*Reading reports from the borrowers show many have to take new loans to repay the first or default. I note you have taken out a number of loans with Zidisha. if you have to research abt such borrowers most of them are the startups who do not focast well and plan for their businesses thus making them to try and try again re investing more money that they borrow into their businesses which in most cases make them gain more losses than peny profit thus keep borrowing to repay other loans at longlast default. but i wish they could know that chance they are given of intrest free loans is to be rejoyced and used wisely. How do you find their charges and interest rates compared to local micro finance and do you have to take further loans to repay the last one ? thank you for your question Mr. chris Turner. For one when i joined Zidisha in 2012 is when few zidisha Lenders used to charge a very very low interest rate of below 10% that was like 3 times lower than what Financial institutions used to charge.but since my third loan in 2013 Zidisha lenders have not been charging any interest rate but instead the 5% transaction fee only. secondly i have never taken a second loan to repay the first but instead focast for the investment to make that will enable me earn enough income that will meet the highest flexible repayments before taking my loans. third since I was in High school i had much interest in business not only a a subject but also in real life since Dad is a self employeed and was able to raise all of us without much strains untill i joined college and decided to try my own small business a part from my Dad's workshop i used to manage by then. and in college i did a business course. Diploma in purchasing and supplies where i did entrepreneurship skills ,marketing skills,product promotion, customer service,quality and quantity management and public relations just to name but afew are the Units I Enjoyed most since i had to apply practically what i learned in class into my small business that i had started. But then as i was introduced to Zidisha by one of my friends who was a staff while in college, it has really made an impact in my passion in business by making me expand each and every day as i also Learned more of Business in University. so that passion, interests and knowledge i have in business helps me to focast and plan better .

Laurie · United States

Feb 2, 2017

Hello! :-) For about the past two years, Zidisha borrowers have not been charged *any* interest by Zidisha lenders, on any portion of their Zidisha loans: http://forum.zidisha.org/threads/interest-does-not-increase-financial-returns.1945/ Prior to that, each lender could choose an interest rate to charge on the portion of the funding that he/she contributed toward the loan, or could choose not to charge any interest at all, which is what I personally always chose to do because Zidisha is a *non-profit* organization with the mission of alleviating poverty by providing a hand UP in life to borrowers. Therefore, I never considered it the right thing to do for lenders personally to try to make money off of people who are struggling quite a lot in the first place, in many cases just to survive. From time to time, Zidisha receives voluntary contributions from charitable donors, in varying amounts, to help the platform. However, of course, Zidisha also still does have to charge some fees to its members, in order to be able to offer its services. The three (3) fees Zidisha, Inc., currently charges to borrowers are: (1) a small, one-time, non-refundable MEMBERSHIP FEE, which allows the borrower to raise an unlimited number of loans, one at a time, at 0% interest rate; (2) a usually larger, one-time, refundable MEMBERS LOAN FUND (MLF) fee, which is like insurance, but it's better than insurance, because the borrower is required to pay it only once, *not* once every year as is the case with most insurance premiums (the borrower can get that fee refunded, in full, anytime he/she does not have any outstanding loan; however, if the borrower wants to raise another loan, then he/she has to pay back into that fund) - the pool of funds collected from borrowers for the MLF is used to reimburse lenders in case any borrowers default (a lender can be reimbursed up to $1,000 if he/she has a Non-Donation Lending Account, or reimbursements are unlimited for those lenders with a Donation Lending Account - lenders with the latter type of lending account cannot withdraw their funds from the platform, but all of those funds are tax-deductible in the United States); and (3) a 5% service fee charged on each loan, which (along with the small, one-time-only, Membership Fee) is used to help cover Zidisha's operating costs.* *[Btw, Zidisha currently and so far only ever has paid two salaries, for the two programmers; all of the rest of the Staff currently is and always has been entirely volunteer.] These fees are deducted prior to disbursing the loan, and the borrower is responsible for repaying the entire loan (in other words, the amount of the loan before the deduction of the fees). Repayment terms are very flexible; borrowers can reschedule payment dates & amounts for any reason they may need to do so. The first loan can be difficult because of the required fees that are deducted and the borrower having to repay the full amount of the loan request (in other words, the total amount of the loan request before the deductions were taken out to pay the required fees) - which is by design, to discourage fraudsters. Future loans become easier to handle, usually having just the 5% service fee (the exception is if the MLF fee was requested to be reimbursed; then, the borrower does have to repay back into that "pool", as mentioned above). You can read more here: Borrower FAQs: https://www.zidisha.org/faq#faq-29 I think the only not-quite-accurate part of the Borrower FAQs is at the very bottom of the page. The Forum (http://forum.zidisha.org/) is for asking general policy questions (and for socializing), but anytime a borrower has a question about his or her specific account, he/she needs to write to "[email protected]" with the name of his/her country in the Subject line of the email for quicker routing to the correct team (i.e., for questions about when the loan will be disbursed, or a repayment that hasn't been credited to the account within three business days, or any other questions about his/her specific account). You also can read general information about the cost of Zidisha loans here: http://forum.zidisha.org/threads/received-wrong-funds-5-instead-of-550.4655/#post-26777 and here: http://forum.zidisha.org/threads/new-members-can-now-choose-their-own-deposit-and-starting-credit-limit.3372/ Dancan, we definitely would like to hear your thoughts! :-) Best wishes, Laurie The Zidisha Team

Augustina · Abesewa, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

Many many thanks to zidisha team and all lenders on this noble organization for your support towards needy people. I am very grateful to you all

Kelvin · Lusaka, Zambia

Feb 2, 2017

I thank you my lenders for the loan, am buying DSTV decoder @ $27.00 each by 10 and LNBs. This will increase my markup to $100.00 and will help me to pay school fees for my sister. Thank you all my lenders God bless you.

Rachael Dorcas Anyango · Koinange, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Lenders thank you so much for being a blessing to me!this Money part of it I will use to buy one computer and the rest I will use it to pay or finish paying my school fees.thank you again.God bless

Morcher · Dormaa Ahenkro_ghana, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

Thanks to my lenders once again. I'm happy today and have courage to live and hold the future bright for my children because of your kind gesture. I was able to the first time in history conveyed my children to Accra all because the items I bough with the loan amount yielded a bigger interest. I m yet to post a new picture of a new shop I have added to the old one. This is the greatest I have ever observed in my life. I pray for Zidisha to live long and continue to assist the poor.

Evans · Kukuom, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

My dear lenders, thank you so very much for this loan which I received. Today, I took workers to the site where my shop is to be sited and work will commenced soon. Thank you for your continually support

Patricia · Sunyani, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

Thank you for supporting me dear Lenders.

Andrew · Rusinga Island, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

I got engaged in horticultural comment image

Bruno · Vancouver, Canada, Canada

Feb 2, 2017

Hi Evans, congratulations on getting your loan! I am new to Zidisha and just started offering loans. Your application looked interesting because you already managed to build a successful business and I am sure you will be able to help your brother making his also very successful. I like people who have that kind of initiative. Please let me know a bit more about your goals in life. Just some background on myself: I was born in Germany, immigrated to Canada when I was 26 to study computer science and then worked all my life in software and ran two software companies. For the last 10 years I have been retired and spent my free time to mentor small companies with business problems. This has been very interesting and rewarding. I am now spending a bit of money to help people like you to build a successful business. I wish you all the best, Bruno

Athanas · Shanzu, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Dear lenders, May God bless you for funding my loan I'm so thankfully for the good support you have given me , The money you have given me I will use it to buy different colours of uniform materials,and I know very well that my business will grow because school uniform are still in high demand

Mr Chris Turner · Cambridge forever England, United Kingdom

Feb 2, 2017

Hello Duncan I would like to ask you a question please I lend around the world through two other crowd funders as well as Zidisha They work refunding local micro finance organisations for loans they made and their interest rates seem impossibly high to service, up 50% per annum. Reading reports from the borrowers show many have to take new loans to repay the first or default. I note you have taken out a number of loans with Zidisha. How do you find their charges and interest rates compared to local micro finance and do you have to take further loans to repay the last one ? . Thanks in hope of an honest response Chris

Sarah · Kota Magelang, Indonesia

Feb 2, 2017

I have received a loan of 5,704,214 IDR. This loan will I use to fill my shop. I would buy bird feed, chicken feed, bird feed, feed the cat and cat supplies. Thank you very much for loans, I will use as much as you. Thanks zidisha for giving assistance to the development of my efforts

Sarah · Eldoret, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Thank you so much my dear lender Dr. Franmiguel for the great support you have offered me. I will use the amount to add cosmetics for sale in my salon. Thank you so much once again.

Sean · Mombasa, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Zidisha is the best place to visit if you want efficient loans, it's trustworthy,legit and straightforward, no strings attached, keep it up Zidisha!

Ansah · Techiman, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

Am going to buy t shirts,watches ,shoes, sandals when the loan is found .I think the loan would change the shop because soon many goods are going to put in the shop, the profit would increase up to 200GHS ,the loan has helped me a lot, it has helped me to increased of soo many goods, we have a festival called apour festival, the interesting thing is that any thing that went wrong should be abolished after the festival because people who are in the community will sing against bad things.

Charity · Ndola, Zambia

Feb 2, 2017

Thank you so much for trusting me again with my fourth to buy a big fridge to store more food stuff.this will enable me to meet my customers needs.I want to thank all my lenders for funding my loan.

Kyeremeh · Techiman, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

I used the loan to pay my tuition fee for this second semester. The semester is young and lectures has begun already. With your help I now have the comfort of study since am not owing anymore. I do appreciate your generous act towards me.

Ruth · Nairobi-kenya, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

hi.lenders.this is to confirm that i received my loan of 97 usd and with it i bought some lubricants and a few used vehicle parts.(i want to stock both used and new).thank hou very much for your support.keep up the good spirit.i know with your help ai am going places comment image

Kwadwo · Tanoso, Ghana

Feb 2, 2017

My car parts shop wil now be safe. I am going to so an iron gate for my shop. I am very happy . I am very grateful to the Zinc Team. Thank you.

Hillary · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Thanks lenders for funding my loan within a very short time. I will expand my business to have a bigger space so that i can serve many clients. The loan will boost my business and help employ more barbers..

Caroline · Ruiru, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

The loan has helped me to improve my business that is I was able to restock my business and also add some more stock. I am able to support my family with the profit I am getting from my business. I really feel thankful to all those who made my dream come true. God bless you and add you more and more to help people.

Hillary · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

Hi Namaste, yes my solar electricity was successfull..

Erick · Bombolulu, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

thanks once again dear lenders for such a kind response to my plea.With this loan am going to give my dad a surprise as well as to see my cousin join college.Out of God's blessings am also going to lend a hand as a sign of appreciation.Be blessed so much and I won't let you down in this.

Deborah · Molo, Kenya

Feb 2, 2017

the loan will be used to finance my project, to yield more product and up lift our standard of living. the loan will increase my output thus making me get more sales thus increased profits and a better life for my family as a whole. Thanks to all the lenders who funded my loan

Luke · Thika, Kenya

Feb 1, 2017

Thanks for all of you guys words alone cannot express my gratitude to you, i would like to write to each one of you but because you are many please let everyone accept my gratitude on behalf of my family and my other families benefiting from this business, we are very happy and I appreciate you all. I have already indenfied the photocopy machine i will buy.Thanks again.

Everlyn · Mombasa, Kenya

Feb 1, 2017

Thank you so much for funding my loan once more. As stated earlier, I will use the money to pay for my college tuition fee. May God bless you abundantly.

Anthony · Uthiru, Kenya

Feb 1, 2017

thanks for giving me a chance to grow my business. thank you

Edwin · Nyatieko, Kenya

Feb 1, 2017

Thank you Mary.With the loan you have given me i am going to work extra hard to repay it and also pursue my dreams.I will keep you updated on my progress.Thank you again and all the best Mary.You guys are heaven sent.

Bruno · Vancouver, Canada, Canada

Feb 1, 2017

Hi Kevin, congratulations on getting your loan! I am new to Zidisha and just started offering loans. Your application looked interesting because you study journalism and support yourself with farm work. I like people who have that kind of initiative and journalism is an interesting field with so much happening in your world. I wonder what kind of novels you like to read. Please let me know a bit more about your goals in life. Just some background on myself: I was born in Germany, immigrated to Canada when I was 26 to study computer science and then worked all my life in software and ran two software companies. For the last 10 years I have been retired and spent my free time to mentor small companies with business problems. This has been very interesting and rewarding. I am now spending a bit of money to help people like you to get educated and to position themselves for a successful career. I wish you all the best, Bruno

Sarah · Eldoret, Kenya

Feb 1, 2017

The loan I took really assisted me so much.I added the amount to my savings and bought a blow dryer to serve more clients in my Salon. The blow driers that existed before were not enough since clients could queue. The loan assisted me to buy one more blow drier and it really promoted my business. Thank you so much lenders and Zidisha at large.

Matt B · Stratford Upon Avon, United Kingdom

Feb 1, 2017

Esther - very best wishes for your business venture. Regards, Matt in England.

George · Berekum, Ghana

Feb 1, 2017

When my business was crawling and at the verge of collapsing, I was looking for means of reviving it but to no avail until a friend introduced me to Zidisha.I have never regretted working with Zidisha team and my lenders.Today my business is in a positive direction.May God continue to shower his blessing unto all my lenders for their fervent support.

Ebenezer · Techiman, Ghana

Feb 1, 2017

I sell Mobile phones at Techiman market .and I requested the loan to enlarge my business I was working for somebody who owns a phone shop store which always use pay me at the end of every Mount for a year and he gave me some of the phones on credit to start my business. from these sources some was used to pay the loan when the money was given to me and also the money given to me as a loan also helped me to expand my business which also generated income for me to pay the loan aside the work I was working with determination and hard working.The loan has helped me to increase my income because of the loan I can now boast of having a phone shop . Thank you.

Collins · Kwashieman- Acrra, Ghana

Feb 1, 2017

Hello my sweet Lenders, I greet you all. I am making much more sales than expected as a result i am planning expanding my shop to stock it with many cards, I own my success to you my Lenders Without you I couldn't have made it this far Thank you!

Adoma · Berekum, Ghana

Feb 1, 2017

Thanks to Zidisha and my lenders. My farming business is doing great

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