Project Updates

Dear lenders,I realy appreciate the wonderful things you are doing to me and my business.Now my business is on going smoothly.ZIDISHA and its lenders have motivated me to write more different series of story books for schools,because they have made me known that whenever I call upon them for help in my business, they will gladly answer me and come into my aid.For now my business is improved to the extend that I can now get money to pay my fees at the distance tertially education and also get my daily bread .I can say that with zidisha life is more comfortable. There is therefore nothing that can shut up my mouth of telling others about the good things Zidisha and its lenders are doing to us here.I will also look for more trustwolthy business men to join.Thank you ZIDISHA, Thank you DEAR LENDERS.

I have completed my research on organic pesticide product development. It performed well and compared well with a common inorganic insecticide, especially on limiting residual heavy metals in vegetables. Future work will involve its commercialization by working on aspects like increasing shelf life, packaging, standardization, and concentrating to limit bulkiness. A report on the performance on limiting residual heavy metals has been submitted to my external supervisor at Blacksmith Institute (New York). concurrently, I submitted a manuscript based on the same research to the Journal Of Health and Pollution (JHP) (USA) for potential publication. If published, it will mark a great stride in the journey of both scientific research, technical writing as well as innovation for solving our contemporary challenges. I am hoping that both the manuscript and report will be approved before am paid the remaining fraction of the research support. I would like to thank Zidisha lenders who believed in this start up idea and chipped in their loans.

Hi lenders and Zidisha members, am soo greatful for your assistance in seeing that i exel in life. I am finishing my loan on 12/7/15 and i can see a great improvement in the business as the margin have greatly gone up as well as i was able to service my loan comfortably without any strain. With you i can see i achieving my goal. Thank you very much

My poultry farm business is growing by the day since I joined this family. I am now absolutely positive that I'll be wealthy as long as I have your support. Thank you lender and thank you Zidisha.

EXCITED TO REPORT:

With my first loan, I have succeeded to expand my business. From clothes only, I am now selling synthetic hair for ladies (weaves, braids etc)

I am excited and soon I will rent a stall to do my business from.

God bless Zidisha Team and all the lenders and people of good will.

The loan was used to purchase of smartphone chargers,screen protectors,and covers. These inventories increased the earnings of the shop by 5%. The earnings was reinvested in the business.

first and foremost, i would love to thank the lenders for the loan that they gave me last time out of trust only. no cash deposit i made interns of shares like any normal bank. that was a rear opportunity and am grateful for that. the loan helped me purchase a laser jet printer that enabled me make paper plates for press printing. on purchasing the printer , i realized growth inn my business in terms of profit because initially i used to print from a nearby shop. the profit that i got enabled me to pay my loan on time and still managed to remain with something small for myself. thanks to zidisha lenders.

the loan you granted me has gone along way in boosting my business profits.its been doing good

Hi, I greatly appreciate to have completed my payment without any difficulty, zidisha family has been of a great life changer in my business, i had bought chips cooking machine which started at a high peak which gave me a chance to complete my payments in time, i now enjoy the growth of my business through zidisha support, thank you zidisha family

Yesterday I met Josephat Bundi, a clothing retailer and seasoned Zidisha borrower, at his home in the town of Juja.

Josephat was born in Nyamira, a region in western Kenya near Lake Victora and over 400km from Nairobi. Josephat is a member of the Kikuyu tribe, the most populous ethnic group in Kenya. Kikuyus are strongly represented in local and national business and politics - Kenya has had four presidents since the modern nation formed in 1964, and three have been Kikuyu. Much of Josephat's family remains in Nyamira, whom he visits regularly.

Though Josephat is set to graduate from JKUAT this year with a degree in control and instrumentation, he has been running his clothing business for over two years. Starting out with only string and tape to hang clothing from lampposts and fences, he has built the business to occupy a set of four adjacent wooden stalls at a busy street corner near the university. He has used three Zidisha loans to fuel his growth over the past year, expanding into shirts, shoes, scarves, jackets, pants, and other accessories.
Josephat dreams one day of starting a fashion clothing boutique in downtown Nairobi, where the market size and customer base will allow his business to grow bigger than it could in Juja. Unlike many students at JKUAT who spend time studying, having fun, or seeking jobs, Josephat seems committed to his clothing business, which he plans to continue full-time after graduating.

Josephat, thank you for showing me your business and neighborhood yesterday. I wish you the best of luck!

This morning I met with Judith Lukaka, the owner of a custom tailor shop in downtown Nairobi, who has used three Zidisha loans to expand her business and to support and educate her extended family.

For the last six years Judith has run Jarx Enterprises, a tailoring shop located in an indoor shopping complex near the Nairobi City Market. Judith’s store is located in the western or “uptown” region of the central business district, but she lives in Ongata Rongai with her husband and two sons. Her commute can take up to 3 hours each way, so Judith wakes up at 5am to beat the rush hour and spend a full day working downtown.

Judith's store displays a small collection of clothing for walk-in customers, but the majority of her business comes from custom, made-to-order dresses and skirts. These orders are solicited from clients she visits in-person to take measurements and perform fittings. Judith initially established her customer base from a small set of friends and acquaintances, and it has grown through referrals to spread across the city and its suburbs.

Jarx Enterprises focuses on modern women’s clothing that appeals primarily to the younger generation, differentiating itself from neighboring clothing stalls that sell traditional African wear, Arab or Indian styles, or shoes and handbags. The store makes dresses for one-off occasions such as weddings, funerals, and graduations as well as everyday and business clothes for young professionals. Judith employs a young designer, Kevin, who uses his knowledge of current fashion to design custom pieces for women looking to match the latest styles seen on TV or the internet. She has also recently hired a tailor who can complete two dresses a day, cutting and stitching sheets of raw fabric that Judith buys wholesale from cloth factories on the outskirts of town.

Judith is on her third Zidisha loan and has maintained a 100% repayment rate. She used the first two loans to add to her inventory of fabric and to buy a sewing machine and hire a tailor. Her current loan, however, has been used to open a new clothing business in Eldoret, a town in western Kenya, that is operated by her four orphaned nephews.

Judith’s motivation for building and expanding her business is primarily to support these nephews, children of a younger sister who died when they were very young. As Judith’s parents have also passed away, she assumed responsibility for her nephews. All of the boys are currently in or soon entering college, requiring large payments of school fees and associated expenses for transport, rent, and pocket money.

After visiting Eldoret and seeing a market opportunity there, Judith decided to open a second-hand clothing store there and employ her nephews to operate it. And so far they have been quite successful, each week remitting to her enough to repay the Zidisha loan. With future loans, she hopes to upgrade the store’s location and change its inventory from second-hand to custom-made goods. Judith is hopeful that her nephews and sons will be drawn to entrepreneurship after college, because she feels there is no better way for a young person to acquire a practical education and develop a sense of responsibility.

After spending time with Judith, it is clear she has a deep love for children - regardless of whether they are her own. Toward the end of our conversation, she spoke earnestly about her dream of one day starting an orphanage, partnering with local officials and policemen to identify and enroll high-risk street children across Nairobi. She feels the current support system is severely lacking, with a handful of orphanages that are often filled with children who have parents and that return children too quickly back into the streets. Judith fears what her nephews’ lives might have been like if they had lacked family support, and she wishes she had the capital to help others in need.

Judith, thank you for teaching me about your business today. I wish you the best in your clothing business, and I hope that one day you are able to start your orphanage - I can think of no better person for the job!

Am very grateful to all my lenders and the entire Zidisha Team for making my dream come true.My business has grown due to the previous loan from Zidisha and am making double profit.Innitially i used to make an average of $40 but now i make an average of $80 to $90 profit per week.I pay my staffs comfortablely and am now self reliant.

Dear Lenders, l used the loan to repay part of my fees and this has enable me to continue my education.Thank you very much and hoping you will continue to support me again so that l will continue my education.

With my first loan, I bought 7 chairs for 70 dollars. With the remainder I bought power extensions and power cables for 9 dollars. Armed with the itemd I fixed my business. My customer base increased a bit and I was able to achieve customer satisfaction. Thanks to you for putting a smile on my face.

I am in the process of setting up Pharmacy after shifting my focus to my profession due some ethical issues with the previous niche I was in. I want to Thika Zidisha family for keeping afloat and when the right time comes I will ask for your assistance. Whenever you are in this part of the country feel free and visit me at my new Pharmacy outlet serving a middle and low income population who are unable to access quality healthcare.

Hallo all the kind lenders,I am pleased to tell you that my business is ding fine as a result of your kind support of zidisha loan.
Since I received the loan my kiosk has been ever busy in serving more customers than ever before.To you all I am thanking you for the kind support and I am encouraging you also to keep the good work of boosting my business in my future loans.Thanks alot.
Regards,
Grace Wakarindi.

Zidisha thank you for helping my dream to come through, God richly bless you lenders. I have received the loan for my new computer for the main serve, I really appreciate what zidisha has done for me. I can now serve my customers with all joy and I know this will help me receive all my customers back and this is going to help maximise my profit, I can now take good care of my family. I will do much to advertising Zidisha to the entire social media and also invite them to join Zidisha. Thank you for the loan.

Oh yes, i am so happy now my son will wont be missing lesson nor exams, cause i have received loan of kshs 17955 today. I say, thank you very much lenders and may God bless you all.

It’s not every day you meet an individual who is a student of math, computer science, and theology; a men’s clothing entrepreneur; a social activist and community organizer; and an aspiring self-help author!

This morning I met Stephen Mungai, a student and business owner from Juja who has used two Zidisha loans to grow a clothing store. Stephen is also a social activist and the founder of “Dream Vision”, a group of like-minded Juja citizens who provide food and counseling for underserved members of their community. Stephen is a true social entrepreneur: one who considers his business a tool primarily for social uplift rather than personal advancement.

I met Stephen in the town of Juja which lies 40km northeast of Nairobi, along the major highway connecting Nairobi with the industrial town of Thika. Juja is home to the Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT) where Stephen is completing his studies in mathematics and computer science.

Two years ago, Stephen began a small business by buying men’s clothing downtown and selling the apparel to university students via “door-to-door hawking” at dorms and hostels. Starting with just $200, Stephen established a loyal group of customers and expanded the business until he was able to rent a storefront on the main street outside the JKUAT campus. Two years and two Zidisha loans later, “Elite Boutique” now employs three people and carries a large selection of shoes, suits, jackets, scarves, pants, and women’s accessories. Stephen bought an automatic sewing machine with his second Zidisha loan that allowed him to expand into tailoring services, as well as a large fridge that stocks drinks and snacks.

Stephen keeps his stall open until 10pm most nights to accommodate his main customers: university students and employees. Although the quiet summer season from May to August can be challenging for financial planning and loan repayment, demand has been strong recently and Stephen is confident in sustaining and expanding his business with additional Zidisha loans.

After talking with Stephen for only a few minutes, it becomes evident that his passion and responsibility extend beyond the walls of his clothing store to the community around him. Stephen insists on walking me around the streets of Juja, particularly through an area of dilapidated tenements and stores along a winding dirt lane called Gashororo Road. As we pass through the low-income neighborhood, Stephen points out telltale signs of community alcohol and drug abuse and child neglect: broken vodka and beer bottles amid piles of trash and young children working or idling instead of attending school.

Stephen tells me anecdotes of various community involvement projects: just yesterday, when he worked with officials to confiscate and burn illicitly brewed alcohol; last week, when he provided meals for needy children. Digging further, I come to learn that Stephen is the organizing member of “Dream Vision”, a community group that provides counseling for victims of substance abuse, mentorship for children without schools and homes, and free lunches and dinners for the poor. Dream Vision, though small, is entirely self-funded; as Stephen insists, “charity begins with you”. Dream Vision works with church officials, community organizations, and the town government to advocate and organize events for societal improvement.

Stephen’s passion for social work is informed by a powerful world-view shaped by a difficult childhood and religious upbringing. Stephen is a devout Christian who practices at a local church and actually has a diploma in theology. He grew up in a poor and rural town near the Aberdares mountains in western Kenya, raised by a single mother who went through a divorce when Stephen was very young. Stephen never knew his father but is incredibly grateful to his mother, who not only sent him and his siblings to high school by taking a series of odd jobs but also sold the family's small farm plot to pay for his university fees. Stephen has forged a strong philosophy of self-actualization from his past challenges; he speaks often of the conscious decision he made to leave a life of hardship by succeeding in business. Stephens considers it a responsibility to help others in his community make similar, self-motivating choices through counseling and mentorship.

Stephen also introduced me to some of the many Zidisha members that he has invited onto the platform. He trains and counsels his fellow borrowers and advocates for their loan applications as strongly as his own; when they succeed, he argues, they can create jobs for the unemployed and help support the local community.

In fact, Stephen is writing a book to share his advice and mentorship with those he doesn’t have the time or resources to reach. In the back room of his clothing store, he showed me a frayed notebook containing the hand-written manuscript. The near-finished book is called “Change the History,” and it stresses the power of choice and self-determination in overcoming life’s challenges. Full of quotes from the bible - “For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he” (Proverbs 23:7) - and from authors like Paolo Coelho, it contains sections on dark themes of poverty, drug abuse, and suicide, as well as positive inspirational guidance. Stephen is confident he will publish the book one day, despite the considerable cost, and he plans to dedicate it to his mother.

I asked Stephen what else he might do if he achieved financial security, and he immediately replied that he would enter politics as a social activist. Unlike many of his colleagues, who gravitate toward Nairobi after graduation where job opportunities are better, Stephen has no desire to leave the Juja area. He is well-versed in the local town governance and finances, and full of ideas for how the Constituency Development Fund (a Kenyan poverty-alleviation initiative) could be better used to improve his neighborhood.

Thank you for introducing me to your business and your community, Stephen. I wish you the best of luck with your business and I know you have an amazing future ahead of you!

I am very grateful to you lenders for funding my previous loan of GH¢377.00. It has really helped me in the management of stocks and restocking of my mobile phone and credit card shop. Now I am able to purchase more phones for sale than I used to do. I am also able to pay my sales personnel well.

Thank you very much for lending me money to boost my business,i managed to increase my stock with loan,it increases my income with at least 10percent.I managed to expand my business premise,it also help me to clear some school fee arrears for my children.My neighbors are friendly and supportive in terms of business.

THANK YOU ZIDISHA AND LENDERS FOR THIS LOAN, I HAVE CHANGE MY LIFE AND MY CHILDREN'S ARE GOING TO SCHOOL EVERYDAY AND THERE IS ENOUGH FOOD FOR EATING AT HOME, AND I HAVE CLOTHES THEM ALL. THANK YOU ZIDISHA TEEM FOR THIS ORGANIZATION FOR HELPING PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT ABLE TO TO GET FUNDS FOR STARTING BUSINESS, THANKS THANKS, GOD BLESS YOU ALL IN ZIODISHA OFFICE.

Hi all and all my lenders: Just to mention to you that since I got my first loan in June 2015. With this loan, I was able to buy the type of fabric that I bought before to be able to sow and increase my quality of little dresses and so, I will be able to sell more and earn more profit. So, thank to Zidisha and my lenders and a long life to you all.

Translated by Google     Show original

Salut a tous et a toutes mes prêteurs: Juste vous signaler que depuis que jai reçu mon toute première prêt en mois de juin 2015, avec ce prêt, j'ai pu acheter les genre de tissus que j'achetais au par avant pouvoir coudre et augmenter mes qualités de petites robes et comme ça je pourrai vendre beaucoup plus et gagner encore plus de bénéfice donc je remercie beaucoup a zidisha et a mes prêteurs et long a vis a vos tous.

Zidisha is family that really God has placed here on earth for me, my business has really improved, it is doing great, I used to strain alot, since Zidisha came to me, the straining ended long ago, thanks again.
My bills are paid so easily, my customers have increased, no customer has ever gone un served, like they used to go, most of the services are found in my cyber, thanks Zidisha family, be blessed always. Lenders you are marvelous. God bless Always

thank you very much zidisha, i have successfully completed and defended my undergraduate thesis thanks to you.

Thank you very much Juan. The cakes are very many and sweet. you will really like the taste hahaha,,,. I also have occasion cakes on request

Send regards for success. Of these funds would I spend to buy and add me and gasoline stocks to buy clothes in preparation for Eid Eid. With the additional capital, the profit I will multiply again. Thank you to all the funders and Zidisha team.

Translated by Google     Show original

Salam sukses. Dari dana ini akan saya belanjakan untuk membeli dan menambah stok bensin saya serta untuk membeli pakaian untuk persiapan lebaran Idul Fitri. Dengan adanya tambahan modal ini, keuntungan saya akan berlipat lagi. Terimakasih kepada semua pendana dan team Zidisha.

The loan that i had received has been of great help in my life since i enrolled to zidisha.The loan i gotten i bought farm inputs to use for cultivation things like fertilizers chemicals to use and i also built store for storing these chemicals.I want to let you know that i was able to cultivate things like potatoes maize plantation and also cabbages.Nowadays i do distribute all these things in in our surrounding market .I tell you very soon am opening my own store for distributing all these things.The interesting thing about our neighborhood is that they are so en encouraging and they do work together as one they motivate people on the work they are doing by buying the products..I will send you some photos concerning my proceedings.Thank you for your contribution

Hello dear lender it is with a heart full of joy I hi the loan I received helped me a lot I buy other ventilos and I earn much profit I wish you long life thank you a lot

Translated by Google     Show original

Bonjour très chère prêteur c'est avec un coeur plein de joie que je salut le prêt que j'ai reçu m'a beaucoup aider j'ai acheter d'autres ventilos et j'ai gagner beaucoup de bénéfice je vous souhaite long vie merci beaucoup

Thank you Lender very much for your time, money and guidance to see our business always flourishing, God will bless and reward you for that. Back to my business, everything is now in place, the Sawmill that stop work for sometime has started working and for that matter have accumulated more of the sawdust to ensure continual growing of the mushroom. Soon I am going to adjust the amount I am paying in other to pay off the loan as early as possible. I want to promise my Lenders my Loan will not travel beyond coming September; I am working hard to do justice to it. Thank you once again.

I want to thank Zidisha and its lenders for this wonderful opportunity. The first loan helped me in various ways to revamp my fish farm and also to take care of my child's final examination. In fact, I will recommend Zidisha to all persons going through some financial difficulties in terms of business and life in general. Zidisha will give you a big relief.

Hi. I am pleased to inform you that I received my loan in good time and in good condition. I have now bought two packets of window fasteners each at Ksh. 2500 and 2 dozens of drawer lock at ksh.300 each. This totals to ksh.5600. Am projecting a profit of ksh. 2500 from the sale of these commodities next week since I already have an order to deliver. I will plough back this profit to my business and see if I can bring on board two of my brothers who are still leaving in the terrorism prone area of Lamu. I once again appreciate you and pray that may the Almighty God bless you abundantly.

Thank you team zidisha and my lenders. In fact this loan is really helping me. My business is now growing and I can make more profit.
Thank you and God bless you my lenders.

It is with great joy that,this loan has finally been granted,for i need to say that there was very little hope to my belief that it would come to pass so soon.with four days left to the expiry of my application only 16% was funded.in the shortest possible time its complete,little do i have to say thank you,not until i start the refund.Now that i have the supplement to capital on the bone and joint care supplement,i already see my honor my late mom coming to pass. Thank you very much, to me this will be a win of trust for more good things to come.Thank you guys for your love and understanding heart.God bless you all that put your fund together to help me.

Dear Lenders,
It is with great appreciation that with your support i have managed to expand my clothing and shoes store and basically keep my business running. I have kept on adding stock and so far the business has been able to sustin itself. With the previous loan advanced to me by yoursleves i was able to expand further and even employ 1 person on a full time basis to keep watch at the shop as i have gone back to school to advance in my studies as well. I would appreciate a further boost so as to keep growing my stock and and advancing further hence my application for another loan yet again. i look forward to your kind response

Zidisha loan facility has improved my profit margin by 30%.This is as a result of increase in my dygro organic fertilizer stock. I can now take my children out on week ends and on public holidays.My general standard of living has improved.I pray that should my next loan be approved,I shall open a new shop in the central region of Ghana.This is necessary in order to satisfy the growing demand there.God bless our generous lenders and Long lived Zidisha loan facility.

Am very greatful and happy for I am going to expand my business by buying more braids,and some boutique things also ladies favourites that I was not able to buy.
I will be able to support my family and help my father to pay school fees of my younger brothers and sister.
Thank you so much for being a blessing in my life,you have open the doors for me to be a successful lady in life also independent. am proud of you and I will not let you down.

Hi lenders, i want to thank you for the utmost support you gave me in the second loan application. I was able to purchase a computer that costs $ 168 which has led to significantly increase in the net profit from $90 to $130. This tremendous profit has helped me pay part of my school fees and also assist my siblings in raising their pocket money. also am able to pay for hostel rent in the university. Thank you lenders and may God bless you.

On my previous loan I managed to add the stock of beauty product that I initially didn't have in my salon and that allowed me to conquer more customers and also maintain my clients whom found my salon to be a on stop shop where they could get everything they need am so thankful to Zidisha for it improved my life and business.

Lenders im very grateful for the amount ive received since february.the amount has helped greatly in purchasing more materials for my business and in helping my family.

Dear Members,

Words cant express the gratitude i have for aiding me in making my dream a reality. The funds i received helped me a lot in not only building me but also it has seen me grow in my sales volume and customer satisfaction. I want to say thank you for the support, and i would like to confirm that zidisha is transforming lives day by day.

Hello my well wishers,
I am grateful for the loan that you funded me in March 2015. It has been of great help to me as I used it to pay my school fees for the previous semester. Your financial help ensured that my sale of bags still continues since I did not ruin my small business for the sake of my education, at least I remained with the capital to keep it moving. Indeed, this organization was God sent to me. Believe me, I must dedicate and acknowledge Zidisha for my success in education.
I kindly ask for more support in funding my school fees for this semester. God bless.

Dear lenders, I have received the loan amount of $418. I just returned from the village with 20 bags of maize to be turned into maize flour for sale. I have also done some maintenance on my mill machine and it's working as expected. I am going to make a 50% profit out this.
Thanks for the support.

thank you soo much my lenders. my last loan was of great help since it helped me build my business stock for the festive seasons. it was a loan that has brought in massive success in line with my business.

I thnk you so much for letting me boost my business to this level

Being part of this community is really good to me , i feel like i have a very big family , people who are there to cheer me on in this journey of life ,i say thank you.

Thank you lenders for considering my proposal, i will buy malaria drugs and lives will be saved . Indeed you are a major force in the fight against malaria,my customers will now not lack the drugs , thank you.

I take this chance to thank all the Zidisha lenders who funded my first loan it helped me a lot purchasing the new printer which am currently using,by buying the new printer my monthly turnover its now increased, the number of customers whom i serve a day now is big, forward am looking to expand the room from where i operate in order to serve the larger number of customers in my business. thanks for your continued support.

zidisha has really been a blessing in my life since I joined.my printing bussiness is at its peak bacause am able to meet the demands of my customers with the aquired materials that I buy from the funds given by the zidisha team. I know and believe with zidsha I will surely gets to my destination.

Hi great home of zidisha.Am so much humbled this moment to thank you my lenders for your great support.For sure am doing very well in my business courtesy of your support.Now I can afford lifestyle for my family out of your supportMay wish you all the best in your endeavour.

Unbelievable that my second loan is disbursed in less than 24hrs.am heading home direct with the pump and work starts.
What a great change in life a mile ahead in future. Zidisha for now and for ever more