Zidisha | Project Updates

Project Updates

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

Keneth · Chuka, Kenya

Feb 26, 2015

With the loan I was able to get a HP 1510 deskjet which I have already started using at my business and it generating an extra income as am now typing and printing projects for university students who are in their final year and also doing some photocopies beside repairing laptops at my shop.I really do appreciate the lenders for this and pray for God's blessings upon them all.

Raphael · Nairobi Kasarani, Kenya

Feb 26, 2015

HAPPY MOMENTS: BENEFIT TO OTHERS One of the sheep we had for the Christmas last year. It was great indeed. comment image

Chris · Naivasha, Kenya

Feb 26, 2015

Dear Lender, Thanks alot for your support,this is a result of your top up.Timely delivery of the eggs and an increased purchase order.We always say in our language,Asante Sana(Thank you very much). comment image

Kerry Tiedeman · United States

Feb 26, 2015

My name is Kerry Tiedeman and I am a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Kenya. Normally I am staying and visiting borrowers in Nairobi, however this week I am Mombasa, Kenya to visit some of our borrowers in this vibrant coastal city. Today I had the opportunity of meeting with John Bosco, a first time borrower of Zidisha, who is working on fundraising for his first loan. John actually has strong ties to Nairobi. He went to University there where he studied business, and also where he met his friend and the manufacturer of men's shoes he purchases and later sells in Mombasa. I met John with his volunteer mentor, Margaret Julliet. The three of us met over coffee, fanta and mango juice at a local cafe in the center of town. John works as a Microfinance field officer here in Mombasa. He worked his way up by first working at an MPESA shop (the phone money transfer service) and later as an insurance agent in Nairobi, until finding this opportunity in Mombasa. John is pleased with his progress in business, but would like to be his own boss and have the freedom to run his own business full time. When John moved to Mombasa, he discovered that the quality of shoes were not as high as they were in Nairobi. He told me that the shoes you buy here would only last you five months. Having connections in Nairobi, he started transporting better made shoes from Nairobi to Mombasa via bus. He was able to sell the shoes in a nearby computer store. John would go in to fix his laptop and began chatting with the owner. Together they went in business together with half of the shop dedicated to computers and the other selling shoes. John's partner tends the store while he is at work during the day with the Microfinance bank. John is asking for a loan to help stock inventory for his shoe business. He would like to begin to stock children's shoes. He says that the loans at his bank have a much higher interest rate than Zidisha, and he also does not have the assets to secure the loan. He hopes that with more profits by branching into children's shoes, he will be able to help with tuition fees for his cousin at the same University where he studied. He would also like to help out his family in Kitale, upcountry. He is the only boy of four children. When I asked him what about ladies shoes for his sisters, he told me that with the help of Zidisha, that will be the next venture! Check out some photos from our visit! comment image

Emmanuel · Nairobi, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

Below are the 2 computers that I bought. One is a HP core 2 duo 3.1 ghz 4gb RAM which will be used specifically for SKYPE , another is a siemens dual core 3.0ghz 2gb RAM. More Pictures to follow. comment image

Patricia · Sunyani, Ghana

Feb 25, 2015

At the farm comment image

Luke · Thika, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

Thanks to you guys the printers has enabled my bussines s to move me to another level thanks for profit it has generated,for i have completed my college where i was taking a degree in theology . And my children are also doing fine that everybody in my family is happy. iwill sent the photos for graduation as soon as they are ready for you to see. thanks to zidisha.

Abdoulaye · Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Feb 25, 2015

Quelques réalisations effectués dans mon atelier. Some production done in my workshop. comment image

Esther · Kimende, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

This is my knitting work. comment image

Esther · Kimende, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

Hello lenders,This is my new cosmetic shop. comment image

Dorcas · Kimende, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

thank you zidisha team and my lenders for your support.my business still moving on well.i hope my sales will continue becoming more better since we are still on form one, first term school admission. thanks Dorcas comment image

Rahmaida · Kota Kendari, Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia

Feb 25, 2015

Gate City Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Indonesia comment image

Lillian · Nyanchwa Kisii, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

the shop

Judith · Bungoma, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

Before i started making this items i had made a carpet and i short on the orange wool. I managed to buy when you sent the loan and i will be finishing it by friday comment image

Judith · Bungoma, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

I am also started working on the carpet using the green wool and the tapestry comment image

Judith · Bungoma, Kenya

Feb 25, 2015

It is cloudy today. I am working on a few items. I started a grey poncho with the circular needle i bought (No. 6mm) comment image

Sigit · Babakan Madang Sentul City Bogor, Indonesia

Feb 25, 2015

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. comment image

Rachmad · Surabaya, Indonesia

Feb 24, 2015

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 comment image

Isaac · Accra, Ghana

Feb 24, 2015

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 · Kabupaten Bantaeng Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Feb 24, 2015

Increase the number of cans and gas cylinders to increase revenue comment image

Ronald · Magaoni, Kenya

Feb 24, 2015

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. comment image

Joshua · Kisii County, Kenya

Feb 24, 2015

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 · Bungoma, Kenya

Feb 24, 2015

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. comment image

Agus · Kabupaten Bantaeng, Indonesia

Feb 24, 2015

Direktur Zidhisa saat mengunjungi Toko Alifha & Alifha Cell ( warnet Alifha), foto bersama dengan istri saya di toko. comment image

Esther · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 24, 2015

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 comment image

Agus · Kabupaten Bantaeng, Indonesia

Feb 24, 2015

Toko Alifha dan Alifha Cell comment image

Fredrick · Nairobi Embakasi, Kenya

Feb 24, 2015

these are my chicken at their feeding area comment image

Taylor Hanna · United States

Feb 23, 2015

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 comment image

Taylor Hanna · United States

Feb 23, 2015

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 comment image

Nicodemus · Mtwapa, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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 comment image

Kerry Tiedeman · United States

Feb 23, 2015

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! comment image

Kerry Tiedeman · United States

Feb 23, 2015

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. comment image

Susan · Nyambari Lari, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

front display of my shoe business comment image

Dulo · Muhoroni, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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. comment image

Dulo · Muhoroni, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

pupils during academic tour at lake victoria - kenya. comment image

Dulo · Muhoroni, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

our introductory class pupils graduate as they joined class one (primary one) January this year (2015) comment image

Alice · Nairobi, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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 · Nakuru, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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 · Berekum, Ghana

Feb 23, 2015

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 · Kawangware46, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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.. comment image

Rahmaida · Kota Kendari, Sulawesi Tenggara, Indonesia

Feb 23, 2015

Type bag schoolboy I sell comment image

Gladys Nyawira · Nairobi, Kenya

Feb 23, 2015

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. comment image

Clarence · Takoradi, Ghana

Feb 22, 2015

business in progress comment image

Isaiah · Nairobi, Kenya

Feb 22, 2015

Hallo Lenders und Zidisha Team , Der Architekt hat bereits ausgelieferten die erste draft.Please siehe beigefügte . Grüße Isaiah Githaiga

Isaiah · Nairobi, Kenya

Feb 22, 2015

Hi Lenders, Here are the photos of the Items I purchased for our business with proceeds from the last loan. Regards Isaiah Githaiga comment image

Bramwel · Sendera, Kenya

Feb 22, 2015

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. comment image

Endang · Kabupaten Bantaeng Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Feb 22, 2015

This stall for a living place for the needs of family life comment image

Ohene · Accra, Ghana

Feb 21, 2015

thank you team zidisha and my lenders. I have been able to purchased all the tools and equipments I needed for my work. comment image

Abd · Kabupaten Jeneponto, Sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Feb 21, 2015

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 comment image

Yunita · Kabupaten Bantaeng,sulawesi Selatan, Indonesia

Feb 21, 2015

My mother's daily activities - the central market selling groceries Bantaeng comment image

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