Zidisha | Project Updates

Project Updates

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

Anthony · Kanja, Embu, Kenya

Nov 21, 2014

I wish to inform my lenders and the zidisha community that the loan I was granted was a saviour. As I had indicated, I was able to purchase 2 bags of government-subsidized fertilizer at 2000KES each. I supplement the tea plants at the right time since it's raining. As a result, tea production has greatly improved; over 30% in production, which will translate to increased profits. Once again. Thank you.

Donald · Nairobi, Kenya

Nov 21, 2014

i am happy to note that the money i borrowed help in improving the stock in my chemist. i increased stock in anti malaria drugs and antibiotics. over the past two months, my sales have increased since most drugs needed by customers are always available. my earnings increased by 30% for the last two months. thank you Zidisha team

Lilian · Nairobi, Kenya

Nov 21, 2014

hallo lenders n zidisha family at large, i hope you are doing well.am fine and my daughter hope is fine too,she closed school last week and went to Nakuru town for holidays,i thank God for this far he has brought us, the business is doing fine and its continue d to grow,i have one employee called Lilian just like me, she didnt go to school therefore i have given her some 2 hrs a day for 3 days in a week to attend adult classes near by, right now they have closed and i op this will improve her self esteem, am planning to train her so that she can know how to stitch which we will probable start next yr. Added is a photo of my shop at kitengela,, i will post other photos later comment image

Walter · Nairobi., Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

Hello Thanks for the support,I was able to buy a drenching Gun and the medicine for deworming my sheep.I am looking forward for better yield and productivity since i will be selling my sheep during the next festive season(Holiday season ). I appreciate. ,Kind regards Walt.

Max · Vihiga, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

Hi! Just got my first loan disbursed. I have been to Kisumu town this afternoon and purchased a new modem. I now have two connections to the internet which means I will be available to my clients almost all the time :) Thanks Zidisha!

Lauren · United Kingdom

Nov 20, 2014

Good luck Joyce. I've been sewing since I was young and make a lot of my clothes myself. It's great to support a fellow seamstress, can't wait to hear how you get on!

Fredrick · Kitale, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

My Son.

Wilberforce · Kakamega, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

THIS ARE THE INSTRUMENTS I BOUGHT WITH THE MONEY, THANKS FOR THE SUPPORT. comment image

Joseph · Nakuru, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

hello lenders, Thank you very much for assisting me with the loan. It is going to help me a lot in paying my campus fee for this December holiday. Without you i don know how i could have managed to cope up with my education during this semester. With your help i know i will go far and the help that you are rendering to people. Though it wasn't enough i will pay the remaining amount on a later date but the institution will allow me to continue learning . May God bless you abundantly for the good job you are doing.

Anderson · Tezo, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

Hi my lenders in conj action with zidisha team, thank you a lot for the effort you made up to now that my third loan was disbursed on 13, November, 2014. I received your e-mail and confirm that the loan is credited in my account and now I already have placed an order for a Power Saw(Saw Chain) and they are working on it. Thank you so much and God bless you all for the job well done.

Dominic · Kibos Town - Near Kibos Primary School, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

Hi, i pass my regards and thanks to the lenders. i managed to purchase tissue papers and serviettes. From the purchase i increased my stock and got more customers with demand for the items. My earnings greatly increased and i was able to cater for my bills and school fees for my children in time.

John · Kimende. Bathi Village, Kenya

Nov 20, 2014

Hello Lenders, I am really sorry for the delay in responding and missed payments. I went on an ill fated mission in search for charcoal for sale and we got stuck in the bush for close 2 weeks due to mechanical problems and ongoing rains. Consequently, my phone went off and I was unreachable. As I write this I am on my way home and will start making payments in the next few days. Sorry for the anxiety caused. I still remain committed to making my payments in full. John

Ann · Nyahururu, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

Hallo lenders I would like to thank you for all the support you created in my life. I would like to inform you that your previous loan helped me a lot and I purchased some more stock to my shop and as a result I made more profits and I was able to open another type of business some kind of branch to the first one but this is now a small boutique where I purchased some women and baby wears. This small business is growing to be a large business due to availability of market for these goods and very soon am going to rent a larger business shop so that I can enlarge it. This business has played a big role in my family because I have employed my sister and she is mostly at the shop while I operate at the new boutique business. I am going to upload some photos so that you can view some of these progresses. Thank you.

Zephania · Elburgon, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

Dear lenders i am very happy today as i have managed to repay my loan with no problem and i am now left with one installment of ksh 3808 which i will submit late next week.My business has really improved since i started working with you.My life has really change too..I hope to work with you today,tomorrow and forever.I hope you will support me again.thank you

Osunga · Dagoretti Gachui, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

Hello zidisha family,....just wanna keep you posted on my progress....the loan helped me alot coz out of the loan I managed to save alot and buy a hot plate which has helped me in cut costing on the cost of coal that I use for shisha...

Sophia · Nakuru, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

-Thank you Zidisha for the loan. I have already purchased one refurbished computer to add to the existing ones. It took me a week to look around and buy. -The purchase has made a difference in that I have extra customers creating more income i.e 2 USD per per day day. That is Kshs 200 per day. Part of it goes to electricity bills and savings. - Other achievement is that my elder brother managed to buy a new car for business purposes. -I have a good neighbourhood who are hard working in their premises which are close to their houses. They ensure that needs of the neighbourhood is catered for. - -

Harrison · Maungu, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

Wow!! I would wish to pass my sincere gratitude to the founder and all members of Zidisha for their day to day assistance they offer to the youths who are unable to raise capital to start a business. Thanks a lot to Eoinzeis who has offered to lend me Ksh.4393/= I had applied for to enable to purchase materials to make flowers and buy background for taking photos during this festive season. Many customers prefer talking photos with a background as it makes the photo look beautiful.

Joshua · Kisii County, Kenya

Nov 19, 2014

Hi lenders. Like i promised attached find the full set of my purchases (camera and printer) Thanks again and be blessed. comment image

Irene · Nakuru, Teachers Estate, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

Hi lenders, am greatful once again for filling my loan request, I got the money and bought more books which I will be supplying tomorrow, once again thanx to you all for supporting my business.

Khady Aminata · Dakar, Senegal

Nov 18, 2014

j ai acheté une caise d'huile de palme a 24000 franc cfa et la caise contener 40 bouteilles d'huile de palme. aujour'dui mes achats se sont multiplies et mes activités se sont developpés . 16000 franc cfa .avec les gains et quelque economies j ai renouvelé mon activité . ma famille est fier et je vous remercie vous qui ma offert votre aide. encore mercie chers préteurs .

Rex · Luanda, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

First and foremost I want to thank the Almighty God who enabled this loan I requested to be finally disbursed into my county today by praising His name. Second I want to thank all of you who made this happen, you have made me so happy today and am the most happiest person on this day because you have made my wish and come true by making sure that my loan request is facilitated in time. In general I want to say thanks to the following people who contributed towards my loan request and I will always pray for you all to be blessed in all your endeavors; Tmarkus, Hayek, Thebonseung, Chkuo, Kiradec, Jouni, Cfaul, Stephen, Haavard, Matzefr, Zedoud, Cloudways, Dadio lafs, Mathieu, Geoff, Zidisha p2p, Ads68, Investor, Believe, Captain, Prometheus, Paula, Daisy, Cricketca, Mohit Aggarwal, Betagal, Friendrich Nietzsche, Elkocsis, Hildek, Patricia and Schwab for your kind and generous support. I have just arrived at my business from where I went to purchase the items I listed before and am so happy. I promise you all that I shall remain faithful and trustfull with your funds and I will be punctual in repaying them back. Thank you again so much for boosting my business and may the Almighty Living God continue blessing all of you. Thank you and see you soon.

Dauglas · Kawangware, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

Wow!I just couldnt imagine that I applied for a loan and just a day my Proposal was fully funded within less than 12 hours. I thank my lenders for having trust in me. I wanted at least 30000 KSH but since am a new member here, I was only entitled to 4393ksh. I received a loan of 3393 and used to buy some ink and photo printing papers. It has really enhanced by Business and now I can serve a wider range of clients who initially could not find a service at my premises. God bless my lenders and God bless Zidisha. I look forward to a long lasting working relationship with Zidisha as I start to pay my loan this coming sunday 23rd Novemb

Dancan · Nakuru, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

with the funding i got from your financing I decided and purchased a second hand motorcycle to help in reaching my customers effectively and also carry people and goods for pay in order to expand my business and repay the Loan efficiently as scheduled. much thanks to all Zidisha Team

Beth · Njoro, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

I wish to increase my installment because the business has picked and I can now manage to repay Sh. 1000 every week. At the same time I have found a resident house help whom am paying a little bit lower compared to the daycare fee which was too high for me. I really appreciate the fact that I am now able to reschedule my installment and I believe will manage to repay the loan in a shorter period than I am repaying currently.

Lawrence · Nakuru, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

i really enjoying doing this job..its my life my career my everything comment image

Lawrence · Nakuru, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

me at my shop .. comment image

Boniface · Siritanyi Village Bungoma, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

This is the location of my Supa Duka shop,on the right of the three door premise, comment image

Boniface · Siritanyi Village Bungoma, Kenya

Nov 18, 2014

Black and white versus colored effect.One of my favorite photo design work popular with college students and adults. comment image

Denis · Wasini,mtwapa, Kenya

Nov 17, 2014

I must thank zidisha lenders and zidisha team as whole, they helped me get my bike to work enabling me to go to work considering my disability i would have had hard time to get to work. In addition, am able to make some money to subsidise my salary. Though, to the rider fell with it, i had to struggle to repair it to get to work. Thank y ou Zidisha and lenders . GOD BLESS YOU

Joshua · Kisii County, Kenya

Nov 17, 2014

Hi Lenders Today we didnt have Internet, like half of town. all we did was printing services, I printed pictures and passports, Thanks for the printer it boosted my income today. Thanks :)

Beryl · Utawala M.c Shopping Center, Kenya

Nov 17, 2014

But on the other hand the house is alive agaaain!yeah my kids have arrived from their respective schools,so I only need to sit back and enjoy the way they jostle over simple things like remote controls,who sits where! One wants to watch cartoons,the other wants to watch a movie,but funnily enough they both love footaball and are Man U fans!

Beryl · Utawala M.c Shopping Center, Kenya

Nov 17, 2014

Hey everyone I have been offline for the last four days,sourcing for charcoal which has become scarce as a result of the current rains,in normal curcumstances you only call ,place your order then they deliver within two. Days,but know I have to go to the forrest which is about 200km from my store to place my order,thanks to God it was succeful and am expecting my stock over the weekend

Justine · Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso

Nov 17, 2014

Hello dear lenders, I would like to inform you that my fifth book will soon be released by a real publisher. The review process has already been completed and they really enjoyed the book. The proofreading has also just been finished. The book will be available in early December 2014. I also have a wonderful surprise for all the lenders that continue to have faith in me and the entire Zidisha team! Thank you very much for your support! May you continue to be richly blessed.

Jane · Meru, Kenya

Nov 17, 2014

Hi liz,thank God that you arrived in india safely. chelsea is pairing well,too happy that she will not be back in the same school she has been for over 8 years now. Jericah is fine and her health is good too,though we are doing the arrangements to raise the money. For her trip to india for farther analysis. my biopsy results have never been out,where by I assumed that its a negative results. Am happy that my third loan was funded successfuly and my business stock is much more then you left and soonest possible I will be having a mobikash agency services in my shop. Google about. Mobikash, you will get to know what it is better, though it works like a M-pesa.

Susmiati · Taluk Kuantan, Indonesia

Nov 17, 2014

This is my business after receiving the loan from Zidisha. I can buy more device for my PS2 rental. Thank you lenders and Zidisha team. comment image

Lisbeth · Perth, Australia

Nov 17, 2014

Victor Odera lives his life exemplifying his personal belief that “there is nothing ever impossible”. As the second of four children raised by their mother, Victor worked his way through elementary and secondary school slashing, weeding and harvesting on sugarcane farms around his home town of Molo in central Kenya. He was unable to complete the Bachelors in Business Administration that he commenced after school but he may return to it at some stage in the future. After working for a company in an accounting role he felt offered little career progression, Victor left to expand the business he had started selling a very popular brand of organic farm fertilizer that also serves as a pesticide, wetting agent and spreader. But with the Kenyan government announcing, without warning, a block on the import of this product mid year Victor was left with a lot of capital tied up in unfilled orders and had to quickly try to diversify into other products such as herbicides and pesticides although her prefers not to deal in chemical products. Victor enjoys working in this field as he believes “agriculture is the backbone of our economy”. He also enjoys passing on his knowledge to others and has previously been employed to teach farmers how to use various products which provided him with great networking opportunities with both government agricultural officers as well as potential clients. He also attends agricultural shows to display and sell his products and network. The recent setback to his business through the unexpected change in government policy has shown Victor the importance of diversification so he has recently become involved in selling green fuel tabs, has undertaken forex trading training and is also interested in other online business opportunities. Victor uses his business profits to help support his siblings such as paying for tuition, uniforms, books, etc for his younger sister who is in Standard 7. He would also like to assist his brother to study IT at college next year. Having benefitted a lot from his own business mentors Victor, in turn, enjoys passing on his knowledge to others by being a Volunteer Mentor with Zidisha. He enjoys being able to help others with their businesses and those who are less computer literate to interact with the website. He also says his role as a VM helps him keep in touch with the organization and make new friends. Victor told me his is “pleased to be a VM” and feels that “being a VM is a privilege”. Having been an extremely talented high school football player before he was temporarily paralysed and bed ridden for several months during his final year of high school, Victor enjoys watching football which is very popular in Kenya. He also admits to being “addicted” to watching WWE SmackDown and enjoys going to the gym. ** Lisbeth Overheu, Kenya Client Relationship Volunteer Photograph: Victor showing me the product info for a new product he is selling.

Lisbeth · Perth, Australia

Nov 17, 2014

I was lucky enough to meet Jane and her family again during a second visit to Meru. I even stayed with Jane, Jericah and Chelsea for two nights during my busy visit while we met with family, friends and neighbours of theirs who were interested in joining Zidisha. Jane’s businesses were going well and I was able to enjoy their celebrations for Chelsea’s 14th birthday. *** Lisbeth Overheu, Kenya Client Relationship Volunteer Photographs: 1. Jane and her younger sister Caroline in Caroline’s salon and clothes store. 2. Jericah and Jane singing happy birthday to Chelsea (centre) as she cuts her birthday cake. comment image

Lisbeth · Perth, Australia

Nov 17, 2014

Susan Wanjiru was hard at work on a Sunday afternoon when she took some time out of her busy role as an accountant for a major Kenyan supermarket chain to meet with me to discuss her life, business and Zidisha loans. Susan grew up in Nakuru county in central Kenya as one of five children. She also completed her schooling in the area and is a qualified CPA. She has worked has an accountant for different organizations and been with her current employer for around four years. Earlier this year she was transferred from her local Nakuru branch to a branch in Nairobi meaning she now spends a lot of time away from home but travels back to Nakuru whenever possible. Susan’s husband works with an auctioneering firm and together they support their three children in secondary school with Sam in Form 1, Rachel in Form 3 and James working hard in Form 4 for his final school exams. All three children would like to continue their education beyond high school hoping to become a pilot, architect and electrical engineer respectively. With three children in national high schools (generally considered the ‘best’ but also the more expensive high schools in Kenya) Susan and her husband have to budget well to manage the associated costs of fees, uniforms, textbooks, exam fees and the like. Luckily, as an accountant Susan says this budgeting is no problem! To supplement the income she receives from her employer Susan also rears various animals, employing others to manage the animals while she is working. She used her first Zidisha loan to increase her chicken house and buy more chickens and she now has around 100 chickens creating income from her through eggs and meat. Susan used her second loan to build a piggery and she has now grown her herd to around twenty pigs. Susan says the Zidisha loans “have really helped me” as she has built her farming business. And she’s certainly not planning on stopping there as she is also looking to move into a new venture next year so is currently researching cow rearing and will possibly apply for a third Zidisha loan to help her build this business. Susan also plans to undertake further study to gain her Bachelor of Commerce and hopefully open her own accountancy business. We joke that she might be studying at univeristy at the same time as some of her children and she thinks this would be a really great thing for them all as they could challenge and motivate each other and share ideas and experiences. Susan says “you have to dream big” and she and her family certainly seem to be doing this as they build a strong future for themselves with the help of the ZIdisha community. ** Lisbeth Overheu, Kenya Client Relationship Volunteer Photograph: Susan taking a break from her job as an accountant.

Lisbeth · Perth, Australia

Nov 17, 2014

I met Kim briefly when I visited his neighbour and fellow Zidisha borrower, Joseph Gatiba, recently. Kim runs a milk supply store in Kimende in central Kenya and with his Zidisha loan he has been able to add eggs to his stock which he wasn’t previously able to supply. He told me how the “loan has really assisted me” and his business profits have increased enabling him to assist his parents and younger siblings who are both studying. In future Kim would like to expand his business by opening a second milk and egg supply store. ** Lisbeth Overheu, Kenya Client Relationship Volunteer Photographs: 1. Kim with the eggs and milk (in the blue bucket) he sells in his store. 2. Kim measuring and packing milk for a customer. comment image

Peris · Mombasa, Kenya

Nov 16, 2014

First of all I wish to take this opportunity to thank my lenders for their continued support. I tool this loan to enable me buy a good printer. I am glad I managed to get the printer but the cost was a bit higher than expected. I had to spend a little bit more from my emergency savings and I would request to be allowed to reduce my weekly installment by half until end of February so that I replenish my emergency fund. I beg for your understanding and thank you once more.

Lydiah · Kanja, Embu, Kenya

Nov 16, 2014

thank you Michael once again. the loan was of great help to me. i was able to purchase fertilizers and more baskets used to hold the tea leaves. I am now able to pay workers on time as opposed for them waiting for some time. Paying them late is an inconvenient to them and they refuse to pluck the next time. I am so grateful for your assistance and I am looking forward to repay the loan as scheduled.

Rex · Luanda, Kenya

Nov 16, 2014

I want to take this opportunity to thank all those people who contributed towards my previous loan which I finished repaying back on last Friday. I want to say thank you so much for your kind and generous contribution you gave me last time when I was requesting for that loan. I want to tell you people that you have brought a new change in my life and I have started seeing my lifetime dream come true. With the previous loans you gave me you have been so supportive to me and others here on Zidisha since I joined. Much improvement in my has been brought by you people who believed in me and my business. You have made my computer business which was about to fail become strong and hence made me open new retailer shop from the profits I have got. Thank you so much for your generous support you have given me and may you continue with that good spirit you have within yourself as you continue supporting us. To all who all my lenders I thank you so much again and I always pray for you people to be always protected and blessed by the Almighty Living God. See you soon as I will be making another new loan application which I want you all my lenders and new ones to turn up in good numbers to contribute towards my loan application which I will post very soon. I am the most trustfull and obedient person in repaying back the loan you have given me in time and without fail. Be blessed all of you and the Zidisha team who made us to meet here at a beautiful place.

Angela · Nairobi, Kenya

Nov 15, 2014

Thank you lenders for your support i bought some new stock today and also received more order for new arrival for Christmas festival, i have no doubts that my profit will increase during this month of December.

Geoffrey · Miti Mingi, Kenya

Nov 15, 2014

for the last two weeks I have been able to make a profit of 13,000 from the sale of the cereals.i managed to sell 1000 kilograms,I also made a profit of 6400 shillings from the sale of sugar. I managed to sell 8 bags where I was making a gain of 800 shillings per bag.i therefore decided to pay more in order to give my fellow borrowers that golden opportunity to borrow money and improve their business to better their lives. I thank the zidisha team for bringing me this far. May God bless you abundantly. Amen.

Denis · Wasini,mtwapa, Kenya

Nov 15, 2014

BEING TESTED comment image

Rachmad · Surabaya, Indonesia

Nov 14, 2014

Very helpful once in Zidisha loan , because I can add an empty inventory . Thank you all lenders and Zidisha team comment image

Robert · Milimani, Juja, Kenya, Kenya

Nov 14, 2014

I would like to increase my loan repayment because honey production has increased due to the hives that were added from the loan that was awarded to me. Good weather conditions have also allowed honey production in places where the hives are located. My beekeeping community project has continued to develop a large local and statewide clientele, with some having to come for the honey directly from the firm. This increase in purchasing of local honey local stores (rather than buying commercial brands) has greatly improved the sales of honey. This has also the clientele base which has increased profits from my beekeeping community project, significantly.

Kennedy · Nairobi, Kenya

Nov 14, 2014

Dear zidisha I take this opportunity to thank you for offering us a platform to Improve my business, indeed since I joined zidisha there have been a great improvement to my business. Its really amazing on how I have been able to change my life and the life of my family through my business. I Just want to say thank you. The main reason why am writing to you is to reschedule my loan installment since we are now in a season of high demand of furnitures I feel there is a need for me to have enough stoch of ready made products, so because of this demand I want to clear the remaining installment of ksh3277.90 at once so that I cane move to another credit limit. So am rescheduling my credit limit from Ksh 1000 to a one time payment of Ksh 3277.90 to clear my installment. I hope you are going to grand me these request, Thank you for your faithfulness, am your dear member , Ken onzere.

Sarah · Kisii Town Daraja Mbili, Kenya

Nov 14, 2014

Thank you lenders, you are amazing! I count you as a blessing to me, am from Nakumatt holdings ,this morning and bought Nikon camera, I believe and trust that if it was possible to be given the loan. Am sure I will make a lot of money from the camera. Thank you, thank you great people and will be informing you how am fairing on now that, I have added an asset to my business which is going to bring income to my business.

Kenneth · Bahati, Kenya

Nov 14, 2014

thank you so much zidisha team, the loan you offered to me i have purchased a modern laptop, and now my work is as easy as i was dreaming some days back. God bless you Zidisha and always the best you you brighten the life of the many around the world. thank you.

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