New update regarding the micro business that managed by my self. Today I have join to make agreement with Hygienic Fish Market (PIH) under Department of Indonesian Marine And Fish to producing large scale milkfish or Bandeng Presto and various fish processed products. Because purchase order from my agent had overload, so I can't handle on this anymore. Currently I have #11 agent and a few reseller. Here the pictures of equipment also new production place.
Yes, ma'am, living on campus these few days has been quite the experience for me. I sleep better now without worry of oversleeping and missing my early-morning classes. My roommates are cool and they've been nice to me.. and it feels good to report to work refreshed and with a smile. It's really nice and fun here. The name of the residence hall is Jean Nelson Aka Hall. There are so many activities at night at the Hall, ranging from church activities to sporting activities. Thanks so much for enabling me to share in this experience.
God richly bless you, ma'am.
this the picture of my new bike, will send better pictures as soon as i get everything in order. thanks guys for your patience and prayers thanks allot GOD BLESS.
Hi lenders.
Today i received a call from a school. Am required to take passport photos for new students tomorrow and with the camera i brought am hoping to do a nice work.
Thanks once again for creating this opportunity for people like us.
regards
Joshua
Finally i got some photos.My barbershop is in the middle of a busy market known as Chepkube and surrounded by different vendors.You can see photos of the items i bought to help me in my work,two blowdryers and a Wahl clipper(the other one was being used). On this day i had hired a lady to help me.
Thank you very much my generous lenders. The loan you gave last time has really made a big difference in my business, life and community in general. Now that i bought a portable laptop i have been able to access my clients job wherever i am. sometimes a client needs his/ her job and maybe im not around the town nor in the business or they want us to discuss something, i just pull out my laptop and we discuss hence making it easy. Secondly, most of the time i assign work to my employees because maybe im out of town for an assignment of my work place, they are able to send me what they have achieved or the job they have been working for and then i check on it, do corrections and as well deliver the job in time.For instance, whatever i produced in six months last year ,i have already made it in two months, this has really encouraged me. I have been able to pay atleast three quarter of my school fees this semester, so im not worried about school fees till next semester.
Ever i have experienced easy Month of January after a very long holiday and everybody was broke except people who brought me business but im very sure is because they dont want to be left out in the graduation list....hahahaha
I was lucky to get to meet Muhaimin last week at his residence hall near the University of Ghana in Accra, as his lecture schedule lined up with my visit. Originally from Ghana’s upper west region, relocating in his youth to the Volta region (in eastern Ghana), and now living in Accra, Muhaimin has been all over the country.
He heard about Zidisha from his roommate, Gideon, and was excited at the opportunity to assist with his school fees. Even though tuition itself is paid for at Ghana’s few highly competitive public universities, students must pay significant academic and residential fees upfront and student loans are difficult to obtain.
Muhaimin’s ultimate goal is to work in criminal law at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Ghana’s internal intelligence agency. Right now he is finishing up his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in geography, after which he hopes to get a law degree. Until then, he’s enjoying studying, life on campus, and playing basketball for the university. He’s incredibly grateful for the support of his Zidisha lenders and hopes to continue to use Zidisha loans to help fulfill his career dreams. We are excited to see where it takes him!
I got in touch with Gideon a couple of weeks ago and finally had the opportunity to meet him last week in Legon, Accra. We met at his residence hall at the University of Ghana – a nice airy building built around a courtyard with a café and basketball court.
Although tuition is free at highly competitive public universities like the University of Ghana, students must pay significant academic and residential fees as well as purchase books and materials. Student loans are difficult to obtain and, even then, do not usually cover all necessary costs. So Gideon and his roommates have used their Zidisha loans to make sure they can cover the upfront costs associated with their education.
Gideon is currently studying sociology, linguistics, and Russian. Russian wasn’t his first choice of languages - or his second, for that matter - but he enjoys it now and is interested in a study abroad program in Moscow. (I can’t help but envy his natural way with languages – in addition to learning Russian, Gideon speaks English, French, his native language of Twi, and three other Ghanaian languages: Hausa, Waala, and Ewe.) When he’s not studying, he is representing his residence hall as an intramural swimmer.
Gideon is incredibly grateful for the support he has received from his lenders and for the Zidisha platform and enjoys giving back to the community as a Volunteer Mentor. We wish him the best as he looks forward to utilizing Zidisha loans to pursue his degree and beyond – ideally continuing his education with a master’s in linguistics.
Hi my lenders. Today I visited Mr.Amos shutu who is also a beneficiary if Zidisha.. He has really encouraged to continue with the businesses and paying on time to meet the requirement of growing up.attached is photo taken at his shop
My name is Kerry and I'm a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Today I had the opportunity to meet with Jared Mokaya, a fairly new member of Zidisha at the Dorman's factory, where he works as a salesperson.
Jared, has been with Dorman's, a coffee roasting company, for a long time. He moved from his town of Yanza to Nairobi years ago, but then was transferred to Mombasa, on the coast. He was living there for seven years working for Dorman's, and was only transfered back to Nairobi five months ago. For him this was a great move, it meant a promotion to a more senior position in the company, and since it is in Nairobi, he is closer to his village (Mombasa is a ten hour bus ride from Nairobi) where there are more opportunities for starting his own business.
Jared found Zidisha through his coworker, Lawrence, another borrower, who I also visited while I was at the factory. Jared was very excited because with the help of Zidisha lenders he had purchased two cows and two goats, which are being taken care of by his father in Yanza. The cows are milking cows and with the milk they produce, Jared is able to sell it to a boarding school nearby. He is also able to use the goat to sell as meat for the boarding school as well. Jared hopes with the profits of this business he will be able to purchase more cows and more goats and expand. Then he says, the business can help him take care of the school fees of his two children. He is about to finish paying his Zidisha loan, and very excited to apply for another one.
We also talked a little about Mombasa, since I'm headed there tomorrow. Jared was extremely helpful in offering to try and help me find a taxi driver from the airport. He also gave me a pound of coffee as a gift. I asked both Jared and Lawrence that if working at a coffee factory meant they loved coffee as much as I do. Jared told me he used to drink four cups just in the morning and trained as a barista for fun, but now the coffee was giving him ulcers. I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that!
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for ZIdisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Today I had the opportunity to meet with Lawrence Mademba at his place of work in the industrial part of Nairobi.
I was particularly excited, because although Lawrence's company works with aquaculture, I met him at his day job, Dorman's factory, that produces coffee. I love coffee, so when Lawrence offered me a latte, I couldn't say yes fast enough. As we sat drinking coffee, Lawrence told me how at Dorman's he works in quality control, but is very excited about the fishing ponds he has constructed, about six hours from Nairobi.
Like many inhabitants of Nairobi, Lawrence is not originally from here. He was born in a village of Kisumu. When he moved to Nairobi, he started off working for Dorman's, but three years into the job found African Heritage. This association has a gallery in Nairobi, and Lawrence worked for them for seven years, painting, which he still does in his free time.
When the economy took a downward turn in the mid 1990's, Lawrence returned to his job at Dorman's. A man with his ambition, he kept looking for potential business opportunities, and in the early part of this decade he saw that the government was encouraging fish farming. Being from Kisumu, fishing is a part of life, however Lawrence had little experience.
Lawrence is thoughtful and very clever. Talking with him it's not surprising that he has taken this opportunity and gone from beginner in a field he barely knew to an expert. He told me how the feed for the fish was quite expensive, however with a little research he has discovered that the waste of chickens will feed the fish. Therefore he plans on purchasing some chickens, and not only will he use them for the aquaculture, but also sell their eggs.
Lawrence is looking forward to his very first harvest in April from the first of his three ponds. It takes 7-8 months to harvest the fish, so this has been a long time coming. He is excited for the possibilities, and hopes that he with his profits, this will help him grow to a total of ten ponds. Right now his father tends to the farm, which Lawrence purposely set up in order for his father to be occupied in his retirement. However, Lawrence hopes to hire more employees as well as inspire his neighbors. So far three neighbors have also started up fish farms. He also wants to encourage thoughtful farming that is not harmful to the environment. He wants to create a program of planting trees and reintroducing wildlife to his village.
Lawrence and I chatted for about three hours. Lawrence sang for me, told me about his wife in children, and when I told him I was California, he said how much he loved Chuck Norris. I then had to tell all of the Chuck Norris jokes I could think of. He also encouraged me with my business ideas as well. I look forward to the next time we meet.
baby class academic trip (domestic animals lesson) in my school,i ensure that kids are exposed to all possible relevant learning opportunities available to us.
Hello to you all my lenders! I thank you very much for your loan which has helped me improve my medicine stock.I bought syrups , tablets and injectable medicines and now i can treat my patients well and my income has also increased .The earnings i have used to repay my loan and my family now is a very happy one.Thanks and may God bless you!
It's such a great honor to inform you that my first loan from Zidisha really changed my poultry business in a very positive way and uplifted my living standard. I am proud to say that in December 2014 i managed to sell over 50 well fed broilers at a price of $10 each (Ksh 950) , and i also sold 40 ordinary chicken for $5 each due to the high demand over the festive season. I used some of the profit ($50)to complete repaying my first Zidisha loan, and the rest to cater for my basic needs and buy more chicks and feeds for my poultry business.
Good morning lenders,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the enormous support. I can now buy apple in boxes and has really boosted my business. I use the profit to pay for my rent and my good up keep.
God bless zidisha lenders
I want to thank my lenders for supporting my business.
I purchased one equipment that is helping my business a lot. i replaced another meat mincer which had broken down.
the purchase has made my business easier to operate.
The earnings have increased to 2%, it can be more unfortunately the business has been slow due to the January period, but things will be well.
Please Check out my new mincer that i bought with the money from zidisha..
I would like to thank you so very much for believing in me and my project. For sure your funding has enabled me to expand my chicken project up to 20 pullets having 200 pullets in total now. In two months time i will start collecting eggs, at least 5 trays a day and i am overwhelmed by the many orders that i am receiving already; people booking the eggs. In future i am planning to expand the coop and keep a larger number of pullets plus i am also planning to venture into broiler chicken farming in order to meet the market demand. Your help and your support has made me a happy farmer.
You are surely making my dreams "Young Successful Farmer" come true .
I managed to buy a good dairy cow that i have assesed with the help of a vetinarian and under good management she can produce upto 7 liters of milk a day. she is a good breeder cow.Just what i needed to start my dairy farming. I call her ZIDISHA.
I particularly love my new charger. I am not wasting time looking for one anymore. This week was also a superb week, I graduated from a health program at barakawomenscenter.org. The photo can tell you of my jubilation.
Seaweed is one of the largest commodity in my area that Jeneponto, seaweed has many benefits, for this seaweed is still managed by members of my group are traditionally so that the quality of seaweed is still far from complete, I am always committed to compete with producers of grass Other sea, one of the factors or constraints faced by groups of seaweed farmers is the lack of adequate equipment and even the government has not been able to contribute material for local government budget is very limited. Representation of seaweed farmer has not received serious attention from the government, for which I am always looking for a solution to be able to strive together in a group increases yield and capable of producing quality and quality seaweed. Through loans from Zidhisa I hope to be able to compete and can provide modern equipment
Hi. Funders and zidhisa, I am glad to have joined this community, hopefully with these loans can provide the first experience for me as only parents who always help complete goods in stores and pay for my education, I hope I do not end semerter longer burden the old because I want to focus my efforts at home. Me and my sister
Kerry Tiedeman
Feb 21, 2015
United States
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting Jannet Kanini in Ongata Rongai, a neighborhood of Nairobi.
Jannet owns a store that sells all sorts of clothing items as well as fruit. Her ultimate goal is to have a store with so much inventory, there's no need to go anywhere else. Immediately upon meeting her, you can tell she is a clever and well respected woman in the community. When I first arrived, she was meeting with friends and neighbors to offer them advice.
Jannet began her business in March of 2012 when she received her first loan from Zidisha to increase the inventory of her store. She began with ladies undergarments and has expanded into almost everything else. Before opening her business, Jannet worked at Beacon, a center for those suffering from HIV in the neighborhood. She told me that she chose to quit the center to start the business because she felt a need to explore and think outside the box, which was too difficult to do after 8 hours a day at her job.
Jannet and I easily fell into a convesration of local foods, music, and customs. A lady came by to sell her a Mukimo, which looks like a green tamale, but in fact is a type of puree with potato, corn and local greens. She bought one and offered me one. When I told her I was in the mood for Chapati, a type of pancake that they eat here with stew, she ran out to ask the hotel nearby if they had some. We sat and ate our lunches together, and when I asked what she did in her spare time, she told me she sang for her church choir, where her husband is the pastor. I was fortunate enough that she sang for me, first in English and then Swahili. What a beautiful voice! Jannet says that her other ambition is to create a CD, which is currently in the works. I told her I would be the first to buy one.
We sat for a while longer like that exchanging stories, talking about her children (she has two) who when they were younger, Jannet used to take them to the Nairobi National Park. She said it was a day to have a picnic, relax, and answer the questions of small children. Well, Jannet I think you are a woman with most of the answers.
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern in Nairobi, Kenya. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Wamuyu in Ongata Rongai at her clothing store and salon about 20 kilometers from Nairobi Central.
Jane has been a member for Zidisha for three years now. WIth loans from Zidisha lenders she purchased the shop in 2012, and uses loans now to stock the store's inventory. Jane has also employed a friend of her's, Nancy, who helps with washing and styling hair. When I met Jane, Nancy was also there and we sat down to talk about the store and their lives here in Nairobi.
Jane came to Nairobi in 2004 with her husband from Nyeri, a city in northern Kenya. Her husband sells building materials and also borrows from Zidisha. While he was working, she decided she wanted to open her own business. She had always braided her friends' hair when she was a young girl, and loved clothes, so logically it made sense to open a salon/clothing store. Now she has had the store for three years, and is very proud of it. Jane is also a great saleswomen. I almost left the store with three t-shirts and a pair of leggings. She says that trousers are her best selling item. She goes to the market downtown twice a week to buy clothes to stock her store. She is a great location, right on the main road of the neighborhood of Ongata Rongai, where many people pass by multiple times a day.
In her free time Jane likes to swim at Multimedia Unvierstiy of Kenya, just down the road. As a child she grew up with her six sisters swimming on the Tana River. Having six sisters also contributed to her love of clothes. THey had to share their clothes, but they were also able to pick from six wardrobes. Jane's parents are still in Nyeri where they own a coffee farm. Jane spent much of her child picking the red berries off the bushes during harvest. She had a very different life in Nairobi.
Jane hopes to expand the inventory of her store with help from Zidisha. She uses the profits to pay for her two daughters' schooling as well as monthly expenses. With a well kept store and an employee, she has really made something for herself as a transplant in Nairobi.
I would like to take this opportunity and thank the entire zidisha team once again. This is to let you know that the loan I got has helped me a lot in the case of reducing pests on my farm drastically. My mango plants have also shown signs of growing very healthy too. I would also want to creat your awareness again that if maybe you have anybody who buys mango, you can direct him to me also, I would like to do international market too. Thank you and these are some of the pictures of my farm
Hello Erick
I am deeply moved at how most of you folks look after your families and your communities, seeking to give back wherever and whenever you can and I believe you folks set us a great example of how life could be if all did the same.
I actually feel honoured to be allowed to be a part of your lives and am grateful for the opportunity to help you and through you others with whom you are involved.
Who knows but maybe one day I will visit Africa and maybe meet some of you in person.
God bless and good luck with all you do
Angelina
Judith Malaba
Feb 25, 2015
Bungoma, Kenya
Inventory of wool and knitting needles for knitting business
It is cloudy today. I am working on a few items. I started a grey poncho with the circular needle i bought (No. 6mm)
Sigit Sulistiyono
Feb 25, 2015
Babakan Madang Sentul City Bogor, Indonesia
Bratwurst fast food service
New update regarding the micro business that managed by my self. Today I have join to make agreement with Hygienic Fish Market (PIH) under Department of Indonesian Marine And Fish to producing large scale milkfish or Bandeng Presto and various fish processed products. Because purchase order from my agent had overload, so I can't handle on this anymore. Currently I have #11 agent and a few reseller. Here the pictures of equipment also new production place.
Rachmad Adim
Feb 24, 2015
Surabaya, Indonesia
Inventory for my phone-delivery grocery business
My boy age 3 month
I am grateful to the Lenders and Zidisha team with confidence on its loan
business success and I can buy my boy needs
Regards
Isaac Baccah
Feb 24, 2015
Accra, Ghana
Loan to help pay fees for tuition & residence hall on campus
Yes, ma'am, living on campus these few days has been quite the experience for me. I sleep better now without worry of oversleeping and missing my early-morning classes. My roommates are cool and they've been nice to me.. and it feels good to report to work refreshed and with a smile. It's really nice and fun here. The name of the residence hall is Jean Nelson Aka Hall. There are so many activities at night at the Hall, ranging from church activities to sporting activities. Thanks so much for enabling me to share in this experience.
God richly bless you, ma'am.
Saffara Saffara
Feb 24, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
Gas cylinders and jerrycan for gasoline
Increase the number of cans and gas cylinders to increase revenue
Ronald Shitakha
Feb 24, 2015
Magaoni, Kenya
Insurance and licensees for my motorbike taxi
this the picture of my new bike, will send better pictures as soon as i get everything in order. thanks guys for your patience and prayers thanks allot GOD BLESS.
Joshua Ageta
Feb 24, 2015
Kisii County, Kenya
House roofing (timbers and iron sheets)
Hi lenders.
Today i received a call from a school. Am required to take passport photos for new students tomorrow and with the camera i brought am hoping to do a nice work.
Thanks once again for creating this opportunity for people like us.
regards
Joshua
Fredrick Ochieng
Feb 24, 2015
Bungoma, Kenya
Barbershop inventory
Finally i got some photos.My barbershop is in the middle of a busy market known as Chepkube and surrounded by different vendors.You can see photos of the items i bought to help me in my work,two blowdryers and a Wahl clipper(the other one was being used). On this day i had hired a lady to help me.
Agus Agus
Feb 24, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng, Indonesia
Add seven computers to my cybercafe
Direktur Zidhisa saat mengunjungi Toko Alifha & Alifha Cell ( warnet Alifha), foto bersama dengan istri saya di toko.
Esther Musyoka
Feb 24, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
Harvesting and transportation of carrots in city market
Thank you very much my generous lenders. The loan you gave last time has really made a big difference in my business, life and community in general. Now that i bought a portable laptop i have been able to access my clients job wherever i am. sometimes a client needs his/ her job and maybe im not around the town nor in the business or they want us to discuss something, i just pull out my laptop and we discuss hence making it easy. Secondly, most of the time i assign work to my employees because maybe im out of town for an assignment of my work place, they are able to send me what they have achieved or the job they have been working for and then i check on it, do corrections and as well deliver the job in time.For instance, whatever i produced in six months last year ,i have already made it in two months, this has really encouraged me. I have been able to pay atleast three quarter of my school fees this semester, so im not worried about school fees till next semester.
Ever i have experienced easy Month of January after a very long holiday and everybody was broke except people who brought me business but im very sure is because they dont want to be left out in the graduation list....hahahaha
Agus Agus
Feb 24, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng, Indonesia
Add seven computers to my cybercafe
Toko Alifha dan Alifha Cell
Fredrick Kevogo
Feb 24, 2015
Nairobi Embakasi, Kenya
Cattle farming
these are my chicken at their feeding area
Taylor Hanna
Feb 23, 2015
United States
Funds to support my school semester project
Dear Lenders,
I was lucky to get to meet Muhaimin last week at his residence hall near the University of Ghana in Accra, as his lecture schedule lined up with my visit. Originally from Ghana’s upper west region, relocating in his youth to the Volta region (in eastern Ghana), and now living in Accra, Muhaimin has been all over the country.
He heard about Zidisha from his roommate, Gideon, and was excited at the opportunity to assist with his school fees. Even though tuition itself is paid for at Ghana’s few highly competitive public universities, students must pay significant academic and residential fees upfront and student loans are difficult to obtain.
Muhaimin’s ultimate goal is to work in criminal law at the Bureau of National Investigations (BNI), Ghana’s internal intelligence agency. Right now he is finishing up his bachelor’s degree in political science with a minor in geography, after which he hopes to get a law degree. Until then, he’s enjoying studying, life on campus, and playing basketball for the university. He’s incredibly grateful for the support of his Zidisha lenders and hopes to continue to use Zidisha loans to help fulfill his career dreams. We are excited to see where it takes him!
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Taylor Hanna
Feb 23, 2015
United States
Tuition for my university degree education
Dear Lenders,
I got in touch with Gideon a couple of weeks ago and finally had the opportunity to meet him last week in Legon, Accra. We met at his residence hall at the University of Ghana – a nice airy building built around a courtyard with a café and basketball court.
Although tuition is free at highly competitive public universities like the University of Ghana, students must pay significant academic and residential fees as well as purchase books and materials. Student loans are difficult to obtain and, even then, do not usually cover all necessary costs. So Gideon and his roommates have used their Zidisha loans to make sure they can cover the upfront costs associated with their education.
Gideon is currently studying sociology, linguistics, and Russian. Russian wasn’t his first choice of languages - or his second, for that matter - but he enjoys it now and is interested in a study abroad program in Moscow. (I can’t help but envy his natural way with languages – in addition to learning Russian, Gideon speaks English, French, his native language of Twi, and three other Ghanaian languages: Hausa, Waala, and Ewe.) When he’s not studying, he is representing his residence hall as an intramural swimmer.
Gideon is incredibly grateful for the support he has received from his lenders and for the Zidisha platform and enjoys giving back to the community as a Volunteer Mentor. We wish him the best as he looks forward to utilizing Zidisha loans to pursue his degree and beyond – ideally continuing his education with a master’s in linguistics.
Thank you,
Taylor
Ghana Country Ambassador
Zidisha
Nicodemus Mgoti
Feb 23, 2015
Mtwapa, Kenya
More commercial food stuff
Hi my lenders. Today I visited Mr.Amos shutu who is also a beneficiary if Zidisha.. He has really encouraged to continue with the businesses and paying on time to meet the requirement of growing up.attached is photo taken at his shop
Kerry Tiedeman
Feb 23, 2015
United States
Animal farming.
My name is Kerry and I'm a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Today I had the opportunity to meet with Jared Mokaya, a fairly new member of Zidisha at the Dorman's factory, where he works as a salesperson.
Jared, has been with Dorman's, a coffee roasting company, for a long time. He moved from his town of Yanza to Nairobi years ago, but then was transferred to Mombasa, on the coast. He was living there for seven years working for Dorman's, and was only transfered back to Nairobi five months ago. For him this was a great move, it meant a promotion to a more senior position in the company, and since it is in Nairobi, he is closer to his village (Mombasa is a ten hour bus ride from Nairobi) where there are more opportunities for starting his own business.
Jared found Zidisha through his coworker, Lawrence, another borrower, who I also visited while I was at the factory. Jared was very excited because with the help of Zidisha lenders he had purchased two cows and two goats, which are being taken care of by his father in Yanza. The cows are milking cows and with the milk they produce, Jared is able to sell it to a boarding school nearby. He is also able to use the goat to sell as meat for the boarding school as well. Jared hopes with the profits of this business he will be able to purchase more cows and more goats and expand. Then he says, the business can help him take care of the school fees of his two children. He is about to finish paying his Zidisha loan, and very excited to apply for another one.
We also talked a little about Mombasa, since I'm headed there tomorrow. Jared was extremely helpful in offering to try and help me find a taxi driver from the airport. He also gave me a pound of coffee as a gift. I asked both Jared and Lawrence that if working at a coffee factory meant they loved coffee as much as I do. Jared told me he used to drink four cups just in the morning and trained as a barista for fun, but now the coffee was giving him ulcers. I'm going to pretend I didn't hear that!
Kerry Tiedeman
Feb 23, 2015
United States
Tender supply
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for ZIdisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Today I had the opportunity to meet with Lawrence Mademba at his place of work in the industrial part of Nairobi.
I was particularly excited, because although Lawrence's company works with aquaculture, I met him at his day job, Dorman's factory, that produces coffee. I love coffee, so when Lawrence offered me a latte, I couldn't say yes fast enough. As we sat drinking coffee, Lawrence told me how at Dorman's he works in quality control, but is very excited about the fishing ponds he has constructed, about six hours from Nairobi.
Like many inhabitants of Nairobi, Lawrence is not originally from here. He was born in a village of Kisumu. When he moved to Nairobi, he started off working for Dorman's, but three years into the job found African Heritage. This association has a gallery in Nairobi, and Lawrence worked for them for seven years, painting, which he still does in his free time.
When the economy took a downward turn in the mid 1990's, Lawrence returned to his job at Dorman's. A man with his ambition, he kept looking for potential business opportunities, and in the early part of this decade he saw that the government was encouraging fish farming. Being from Kisumu, fishing is a part of life, however Lawrence had little experience.
Lawrence is thoughtful and very clever. Talking with him it's not surprising that he has taken this opportunity and gone from beginner in a field he barely knew to an expert. He told me how the feed for the fish was quite expensive, however with a little research he has discovered that the waste of chickens will feed the fish. Therefore he plans on purchasing some chickens, and not only will he use them for the aquaculture, but also sell their eggs.
Lawrence is looking forward to his very first harvest in April from the first of his three ponds. It takes 7-8 months to harvest the fish, so this has been a long time coming. He is excited for the possibilities, and hopes that he with his profits, this will help him grow to a total of ten ponds. Right now his father tends to the farm, which Lawrence purposely set up in order for his father to be occupied in his retirement. However, Lawrence hopes to hire more employees as well as inspire his neighbors. So far three neighbors have also started up fish farms. He also wants to encourage thoughtful farming that is not harmful to the environment. He wants to create a program of planting trees and reintroducing wildlife to his village.
Lawrence and I chatted for about three hours. Lawrence sang for me, told me about his wife in children, and when I told him I was California, he said how much he loved Chuck Norris. I then had to tell all of the Chuck Norris jokes I could think of. He also encouraged me with my business ideas as well. I look forward to the next time we meet.
Susan Wanjiru
Feb 23, 2015
Nyambari Lari, Kenya
Increase of mpesa working float and adding shoes
front display of my shoe business
Dulo Kikkan
Feb 23, 2015
Muhoroni, Kenya
Help me build standard six classroom
baby class academic trip (domestic animals lesson) in my school,i ensure that kids are exposed to all possible relevant learning opportunities available to us.
Dulo Kikkan
Feb 23, 2015
Muhoroni, Kenya
Help me build standard six classroom
pupils during academic tour at lake victoria - kenya.
Dulo Kikkan
Feb 23, 2015
Muhoroni, Kenya
Help me build standard six classroom
our introductory class pupils graduate as they joined class one (primary one) January this year (2015)
Alice Arindo
Feb 23, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Purchase more medicine and shelves for pharmacy
Hello to you all my lenders! I thank you very much for your loan which has helped me improve my medicine stock.I bought syrups , tablets and injectable medicines and now i can treat my patients well and my income has also increased .The earnings i have used to repay my loan and my family now is a very happy one.Thanks and may God bless you!
Kevin Momanyi
Feb 23, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
To expand my poultry business.
Dear lenders,
It's such a great honor to inform you that my first loan from Zidisha really changed my poultry business in a very positive way and uplifted my living standard. I am proud to say that in December 2014 i managed to sell over 50 well fed broilers at a price of $10 each (Ksh 950) , and i also sold 40 ordinary chicken for $5 each due to the high demand over the festive season. I used some of the profit ($50)to complete repaying my first Zidisha loan, and the rest to cater for my basic needs and buy more chicks and feeds for my poultry business.
Felicia Ameyaa
Feb 23, 2015
Berekum, Ghana
Inventory of fruits for healthy living.
Good morning lenders,
I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to you for the enormous support. I can now buy apple in boxes and has really boosted my business. I use the profit to pay for my rent and my good up keep.
God bless zidisha lenders
Moses Ongeri Nyabuto
Feb 23, 2015
Kawangware46, Kenya
Inventory of meat supplied for my butchery business
I want to thank my lenders for supporting my business.
I purchased one equipment that is helping my business a lot. i replaced another meat mincer which had broken down.
the purchase has made my business easier to operate.
The earnings have increased to 2%, it can be more unfortunately the business has been slow due to the January period, but things will be well.
Please Check out my new mincer that i bought with the money from zidisha..
Rahmaida Ida
Feb 23, 2015
Kota Kendari, Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia
Selling school backpacks for children
Type bag schoolboy I sell
Gladys Nyawira Gachomba
Feb 23, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
House building.
Dear Lenders,
I would like to thank you so very much for believing in me and my project. For sure your funding has enabled me to expand my chicken project up to 20 pullets having 200 pullets in total now. In two months time i will start collecting eggs, at least 5 trays a day and i am overwhelmed by the many orders that i am receiving already; people booking the eggs. In future i am planning to expand the coop and keep a larger number of pullets plus i am also planning to venture into broiler chicken farming in order to meet the market demand. Your help and your support has made me a happy farmer.
You are surely making my dreams "Young Successful Farmer" come true .
Abundant Blessings on you.
Clarence Ackah
Feb 22, 2015
Takoradi, Ghana
Inventory to purchase plastic chairs and tables
business in progress
Isaiah Githaiga
Feb 22, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Loan to finish constructing our home
Hallo Lenders und Zidisha Team ,
Der Architekt hat bereits ausgelieferten die erste draft.Please siehe beigefügte .
Grüße
Isaiah Githaiga
Translated by
Hi Lenders and Zidisha team,
The architect has already delivered the first draft.Please see attached.
Regards
Isaiah Githaiga
Isaiah Githaiga
Feb 22, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Loan to finish constructing our home
Hi Lenders,
Here are the photos of the Items I purchased for our business with proceeds from the last loan.
Regards
Isaiah Githaiga
Bramwel Cheroben
Feb 22, 2015
Sendera, Kenya
Motorbike project
I managed to buy a good dairy cow that i have assesed with the help of a vetinarian and under good management she can produce upto 7 liters of milk a day. she is a good breeder cow.Just what i needed to start my dairy farming. I call her ZIDISHA.
Endang Nurwahyu
Feb 22, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
To purchase a mix of goods and prepaid mobile phone cards
This stall for a living place for the needs of family life
Ohene Anim
Feb 21, 2015
Accra, Ghana
Purchase computer accessories for sale
thank you team zidisha and my lenders. I have been able to purchased all the tools and equipments I needed for my work.
Anne Muriu
Feb 21, 2015
Nairobi, Kenya
Arts and crafts
Thank you for your kindness.
I particularly love my new charger. I am not wasting time looking for one anymore. This week was also a superb week, I graduated from a health program at barakawomenscenter.org. The photo can tell you of my jubilation.
Have a jubilant week too.
Abd Rasyid
Feb 21, 2015
Kabupaten Jeneponto, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
Inventory of supplies for seaweed farming business
Seaweed is one of the largest commodity in my area that Jeneponto, seaweed has many benefits, for this seaweed is still managed by members of my group are traditionally so that the quality of seaweed is still far from complete, I am always committed to compete with producers of grass Other sea, one of the factors or constraints faced by groups of seaweed farmers is the lack of adequate equipment and even the government has not been able to contribute material for local government budget is very limited. Representation of seaweed farmer has not received serious attention from the government, for which I am always looking for a solution to be able to strive together in a group increases yield and capable of producing quality and quality seaweed. Through loans from Zidhisa I hope to be able to compete and can provide modern equipment
Yunita Sahara
Feb 21, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng,sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
Stock of noodles, flour, drinks, soap and milk for my shop
My mother's daily activities - the central market selling groceries Bantaeng
Yunita Sahara
Feb 21, 2015
Kabupaten Bantaeng,sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia
Stock of noodles, flour, drinks, soap and milk for my shop
Hi. Funders and zidhisa, I am glad to have joined this community, hopefully with these loans can provide the first experience for me as only parents who always help complete goods in stores and pay for my education, I hope I do not end semerter longer burden the old because I want to focus my efforts at home. Me and my sister
Kerry Tiedeman
Feb 21, 2015
United States
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi, Kenya. Yesterday I had the opportunity of meeting Jannet Kanini in Ongata Rongai, a neighborhood of Nairobi.
Jannet owns a store that sells all sorts of clothing items as well as fruit. Her ultimate goal is to have a store with so much inventory, there's no need to go anywhere else. Immediately upon meeting her, you can tell she is a clever and well respected woman in the community. When I first arrived, she was meeting with friends and neighbors to offer them advice.
Jannet began her business in March of 2012 when she received her first loan from Zidisha to increase the inventory of her store. She began with ladies undergarments and has expanded into almost everything else. Before opening her business, Jannet worked at Beacon, a center for those suffering from HIV in the neighborhood. She told me that she chose to quit the center to start the business because she felt a need to explore and think outside the box, which was too difficult to do after 8 hours a day at her job.
Jannet and I easily fell into a convesration of local foods, music, and customs. A lady came by to sell her a Mukimo, which looks like a green tamale, but in fact is a type of puree with potato, corn and local greens. She bought one and offered me one. When I told her I was in the mood for Chapati, a type of pancake that they eat here with stew, she ran out to ask the hotel nearby if they had some. We sat and ate our lunches together, and when I asked what she did in her spare time, she told me she sang for her church choir, where her husband is the pastor. I was fortunate enough that she sang for me, first in English and then Swahili. What a beautiful voice! Jannet says that her other ambition is to create a CD, which is currently in the works. I told her I would be the first to buy one.
We sat for a while longer like that exchanging stories, talking about her children (she has two) who when they were younger, Jannet used to take them to the Nairobi National Park. She said it was a day to have a picnic, relax, and answer the questions of small children. Well, Jannet I think you are a woman with most of the answers.
Kerry Tiedeman
Feb 21, 2015
United States
Buying new ladies clothes
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern in Nairobi, Kenya. Yesterday I had the pleasure of meeting Jane Wamuyu in Ongata Rongai at her clothing store and salon about 20 kilometers from Nairobi Central.
Jane has been a member for Zidisha for three years now. WIth loans from Zidisha lenders she purchased the shop in 2012, and uses loans now to stock the store's inventory. Jane has also employed a friend of her's, Nancy, who helps with washing and styling hair. When I met Jane, Nancy was also there and we sat down to talk about the store and their lives here in Nairobi.
Jane came to Nairobi in 2004 with her husband from Nyeri, a city in northern Kenya. Her husband sells building materials and also borrows from Zidisha. While he was working, she decided she wanted to open her own business. She had always braided her friends' hair when she was a young girl, and loved clothes, so logically it made sense to open a salon/clothing store. Now she has had the store for three years, and is very proud of it. Jane is also a great saleswomen. I almost left the store with three t-shirts and a pair of leggings. She says that trousers are her best selling item. She goes to the market downtown twice a week to buy clothes to stock her store. She is a great location, right on the main road of the neighborhood of Ongata Rongai, where many people pass by multiple times a day.
In her free time Jane likes to swim at Multimedia Unvierstiy of Kenya, just down the road. As a child she grew up with her six sisters swimming on the Tana River. Having six sisters also contributed to her love of clothes. THey had to share their clothes, but they were also able to pick from six wardrobes. Jane's parents are still in Nyeri where they own a coffee farm. Jane spent much of her child picking the red berries off the bushes during harvest. She had a very different life in Nairobi.
Jane hopes to expand the inventory of her store with help from Zidisha. She uses the profits to pay for her two daughters' schooling as well as monthly expenses. With a well kept store and an employee, she has really made something for herself as a transplant in Nairobi.
Andrew Matende
Feb 20, 2015
Githurai, Kenya
Lydiatesh food production
The pictures shows items we bought with the money I received. The items were as follows;
Tropical mints kshs. 115
Kenya drops ". 75
Mr. Berry. ". 75
White mints ". 90
Big daddy sachet. 250
Ginger biscuits. 250
Lotta outer. 75
Total. 930
Safaricom 50. 369.20
Sportsman 10. 858.00
Safaricom 10. 184.60
Safaricom 20. 369.20
Airtel 20. 370.00
Rhino ndogo 2. 50.00
Kifaru green 1. 200.00
Total. 2401.00
Umbrella for shade. 1800.00
Sufurias 2. 1000.00
Cooking staffs. 1700.00
Transport. 200.00
Grand total. Kshs. 8031.00
Felix Amissah
Feb 20, 2015
Berekum, Ghana
Clothing materials for my african designs shop
Samples of clothing
Kiptui Edwin
Feb 20, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
To open an internet service provider company
A NEW BRANCH OF MY CYBER IN THE MID TOWN OF NAKURU
Kiptui Edwin
Feb 20, 2015
Nakuru, Kenya
To open an internet service provider company
A NEW BRANCH OF MY CYBER IN THE MID TOWN OF NAKURU
John Nartey
Feb 20, 2015
Dansoman, Ghana
Purchase of agro chemicals for my farm
I would like to take this opportunity and thank the entire zidisha team once again. This is to let you know that the loan I got has helped me a lot in the case of reducing pests on my farm drastically. My mango plants have also shown signs of growing very healthy too. I would also want to creat your awareness again that if maybe you have anybody who buys mango, you can direct him to me also, I would like to do international market too. Thank you and these are some of the pictures of my farm
Margaret Wanjiru
Feb 20, 2015
Kahawa, Kenya
Inventory for clothing and braids
Determination is Key
With the profits I get, I have already recorded one album.
Judy Jeruto
Feb 20, 2015
Kamoi, Kenya
Cattle for dairy farming
Wonderful.
Angelina
Feb 20, 2015
Northants, United Kingdom
Book selling
Hello Erick
I am deeply moved at how most of you folks look after your families and your communities, seeking to give back wherever and whenever you can and I believe you folks set us a great example of how life could be if all did the same.
I actually feel honoured to be allowed to be a part of your lives and am grateful for the opportunity to help you and through you others with whom you are involved.
Who knows but maybe one day I will visit Africa and maybe meet some of you in person.
God bless and good luck with all you do
Angelina
Joseph Adera
Feb 20, 2015
Athi River, Kenya
Fees for hairdressing training for my wife
Practicals
Joseph Adera
Feb 20, 2015
Athi River, Kenya
Fees for hairdressing training for my wife
This is my wife during hairdressing classes