Project Updates

My business profit have increased by 80% since I acquired a new deep freezer. Thanks once again for entrusting me with your money. What you have helped me achieve is the greatest height since I started business. I hope with God I will one repay it by changing someone's life positively. God bless you.

Thank you otto Fortune Learners is a very interesting project,it is a project of Fortune Community Centre a community based organization which has three main mandates:
1.Providing education to the most vulnerable children living in informal settlement of Soweto and Kayole.
2.Promoting economic empowerment of vulnerable women and youth.
3.Provision of HIV and AIDS education to children,youth and women.
The education project was started in January 2014 and I witnessed a big number of orphans and other vulnerabe children missing out on education for lack of the small levies charged in government school,others could not afford school uniform which was mandatory in government school and that is when I thought of starting Fortune Learners Centre ,the school admit children orphans and children from poor families and others from families who can pay some small amount to pay for administrative costs,which in most cases is inadequate,we integrate the orphans and they are taught free of charge,they are also provided with uniforms free of charge that is why everyone looks smart but there are some many problems hidden in those nice uniforms and lovely faces.We depend on local and international volunteers to provide education at the project.Attached is the photos of the orphans who have been admitted this new year.

I am grateful for Zidisha,you people helped me open school with uniforms in place.

Hello once again for your help,im now on the process of taking care of my farm to produce more feeds for ma livestock.

I appreciate my lenders and the Zidisha community for your assistance i was able to boost my business by adding stock to , i purchased stationery(photocopy papers and flash disks) and i have also purchased the ink cartridge am now well prepared for a booming back to school business this January and February.

I am happy that i have repaid my first loan on time and successfully. Over Christmas holidays i started collecting rare birds because i love them. I admire watching them play, forage, eat, lay eggs and hatch chicks.
Secondly these birds are almost extinct in my community and our children do not know the difference between a duck and goose.
It is my hobby and thanks to Zidisha lenders for making it possible.

Hi Wise,
I am about to go away and will be out of touch for six days, but my preliminary thoughts are these.
It does seem as if you have put a lot of thought into your proposal.
I would suggest that the next step would be to develop a business plan detailing all the expected costs and probable income to project cash flows for your business.
Wise, I see that you have studied business at college, so I expect that you would have already done some of these calculations.
I expect with the purchase of a motorbike and employing staff, the amount required to start this business will not be small.
Any investor will want to see the Maths behind the proposal, which would have to included in the loan application.
Lots of Business fail asthe costs are underestimated and the expected income is overestimated during the planning stages. It always pays to be conservative in estimating both of those parts.
If the plan is well though out, and the "numbers" support the plan, I am sure that the Zidisha community would support you.
Regards
Michael

I am sorry for being late to reply your massage. I just arrived home from church meeting.
Among a lot of business ideas, I have a plan to start
" MY HOUSE BOY SERVICES"
This idea is about home service delivery.
My targets are the following:
Office workers, shop owners, lecturers, students and bankers.
Sunyani is a fast growing regional capital of the Brong Ahafo Region.
The town is highly populated with workers, students and shop owners. This is because; there have been recent increase in tertiary education and government agencies and other businesses including a giant Mining company Newmont gold Company. There are Sunyani polytechnic, Catholic University, Cape Coast University Distance Campus, University of Education Winniber Distance Campus, University of Energy and many other professional and private High schools introduced in the capital City within two years. All this organizations employ a lot of people on full time jobs.
In this case, i will take the advantage of their time of closing from work to provide them with all the items and food stuffs they will need for the week at affordable price.
Sunyani as a town is still running the market day system where villages around brings their food items on Wednesday to sell and the items are sold at a very cheap cost.
so this is where my business comes in.
During the day time of their work like busy bankers, lecturers, students, and shop keepers who cannot close from their work to visit the market will need my help.
STRATEGIES
I will go them at their offices and take their orders for the week.
Do presentations
Deliver the items at their office and at their home where and when necessary.

Very soon there will be road traffic due to the increasing population and my services would have been known to all organizations in Sunyani.

METHOD OF OPERATION
I will need to buy a motor cycle which i have a driving permission.
I will also need to employ additional person probably a lady who have idea on food stufs and other items.
COMPETITORS
Hotels and catering service only supply meals.
COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE
I have enough knowledge on all the roads and names of road and places in the Sunyani Township.
I have enough experience in customer relations, personal selling skills, and also a graduate in professional marketing skills.
I also have much working experience from organizations such as MTN Ghana, Expert Link Microfinance, Big Dreams Microfinance where i ended as the Branch Manager for the Sunyani branch.

PROFITABILITY AND SUSTAINABILITY
The use of motor bike will reduce transport cost.
Getting about 500 customers a year will increase revenue.
Operating under the registered name Sir Wise Business Consult will provide trust to customers.
Food stuffs such as Cassava, Plantain, Yam and vegetables are very cheap to buy on the market day.
I can combine the sale of the cane products with this business unit when i get the motor bike because I am making good returns from the sale of the cane products.
I believe you are positive about this idea.
Thank you.

I have another one from saving our roads from high way robbery if their aim is to rob for money.
Please is 11: 30pm here in Ghana and i am very grateful for you concern. Good night and thank you once again.
Wise.

am also a musician so you can download my Niko Upside album for free here www.mdundo.com/a/802

I am so happy, thanks to the zidisha loan I was able to complete my academic writing course. I am now looking for clients so that I can start earning from the writing job.

Hello dear lenders ,wishing all of you a happy blessed new year.My december holiday was very fine and after doing the goats business i managed to get 270$ this was due to that there were some other business people who had ventured into this business and this made the price to come down .I got my capital back and i have reinvested it by buying more lines to supply. With the profits i got i will be enrolling for a driving course this january and the rest i have ordered 100 chicks to add to my business. Thanks very much for your kindness.
Regards
Joseph

Thank you so much Zidisha team and lenders i recieved my loan ... am gland i will now storck my business and i believe i will archieve my dreams.

Zidisha family,
I am attaching some photos as an update of how the business is going begining of this year. A small shed has already been constructed and animal feed purchased. The next step will be to buy more sheep from the rural market. And the second round of treatment will hold in two weeks time.
I am so thankful to my lenders for their support that allowed me to carry out many promising activities this new year.
Happy new year 2015 to everyone!

Photographie de ma ferme

I have decided to adjust my instalment to Ksh. 500 because with your help with my first loan i was able to use $40 of the loan to employ a worker who has been helping me with type setting, photo printing and internet services. The amount catered for printing papers, envelops, pens, maintaining and replacement of printer parts including ink cartridges, purchasing of more stock such as printing papers and other stationery that i sell in the business. This has really boosted my business and my monthly profit has shot up by 50%

Hello Michael,
Good morning,
I can see my dreams gradualy coming to bee.
Since 2011, I started writing down my business ideas and plans in all aspect of living. I have alot of busines ideas.
If you wouldn't mind i can share with you many of my busines ideas. This cane business is just one of them. Because i did not have money to begin so i decided to work for companies. Every company i worked for appreciated my hard work but paid very little as low as GHs 400.00, that was when i have obtain the position as the Branch manager in a microfinance company. I see your support as an open door from heavens into my life to fufil my dreams.
Thanks very much for your advice.
I would not let you down.

I have got a new buyer who has accepted to pay a higher price for the fish maws for a short period of time due to a high demand on his market.So I feel it is reasonable to give priority to the loan I have at Zidisha.With the loan I was given I purchased a freezer which has enabled me to keep my fish maws fresh all the time for my clients.I am grateful to My lenders for their continued support to me and I feel I am blessed to have joined Zidisha.I will continue with zidisha forever.I feel very lucky indeed.

Thanks my friend. Despite being miles away you are my best friend. Hope to see you one day

I feel honored to say the least, to have a part in your studies and future success. Good luck with your courses and never give up!

THANK YOU SO MUCH LENDERS OF ZIDISHA TEAM. my brother now has been able to complete his Diploma in IT through zidisha program, thank you so much for the money you've lend to me, it did so much in my business and am even able to raise the school fees of my two sons too. Thank you

Hello. I'm happy to write you this morning to tell you a bit about how the last loan affected my family. When I received the previous loan, I bought an incubator, I completed the brooder house, and I spent the remainder on feed. What you must remember is what it brought to my daily life. My production increased by 50%, so during the holidays I sold at least 110 chickens at 3,000 francs each and I used the profits to buy clothing for my children, my wife, and I. I was also able to have a great Christmas by having friends and family over, something I haven't done since I started animal raising. That's why I had no trouble paying back the loan. I'm proud of you and I hope to continue working with you. Thank you.

Translated by     Show original

Bonjour c'est avec un sentiment de gaieté que je vous écrit ce matin pour dire juste un peu le changement que le prêt précèdent a donné à ma famille. Quand j'ai reçu le prêt je suis allé payer une couveuse, ensuite j'ai terminé mon chantier et enfin j'ai mis le reste dans les aliments volaille. Ce qu'il faut retenir dans tout cela c'est ce que le prêt m'a apporté dans ma vie quotidienne. Ma production a augmenté de 50% donc pour ces fêtes de fin d'année j'ai vendu au moins 110 poulets à raison de 3000f les poulets et le produit de la vente m'a permis de payer des habits pour mes enfants ma femme et moi-même et en plus de bien fêter la Noel en invitant les amis et les parents; une chose que je n'ai jamais fait depuis que j'ai commencé mon élevage. C'est pourquoi je n'ai pas eu de problème de remboursement. Je suis très fier de vous et je souhaite continuer à travailler avec vous pour toujours. Je vous remercie

I visited all my customers yesterday and almost all of them paid me. I was very happy. As at yesterday 5/01/15 only three of my customers could not pay all their debt. But the payment from my customers profited me about 97% of my invested income. I had additional contract from a timber firm to suplly them with 113 hamper buskets on the 1st of January, which made me a profit of about GHc 300.00.
Though i spent about GHc 100.00 on transportation, i still made a reasonable income. I think i can call this success.
Thanks to Zidisha

Hello Michael,
I am too much suprised and see this whole thing to be a miracle in my life.
How my loan was funded and how i took the opportunity and how my customer paid back after delivery. God bless you leaders of Zidisha especially leander Franmiguel. i am very grateful for your support.
Indeed i am applying for additional funds to countinue this business. The demand for the cane products will never pass away it will need innivations every time. During my adventure i introduced most of my customers to other cane products like bamboo chairs, dinning table and many others. Infact my producer was very good and sincere. This time i cant trust him again when i prefinance my items on demand.

It a new year and i would like to thank all my lenders who made it possible for me to have my second loan i don't have enough words to express my gratitude because i managed to get a new bike and though i had lots hectic time at the county office for the new license due to the new county laws am happy to say that my bikes are all working and making a huge change in my life, after buying the bike and the license i manged to remain with 10, 000 which helped me to go and visit my rural area which i haven't done for like 8 years and am really happy that i did go home thanks to zidisha. since now i have more than three bikes my income has increases which is helping in paying the tuition for my little niece which is my primary goal and my life has never been the same again not to forget i did employee a rider who is very hard working guy who volunteer to work through the week and rests at night which is really improving the life of his family. i can't thank zidisha enough but hope many people around the world is getting such help like this and making a change in their lives. Thanks to all of you and may God Bless you.

Thank you Zidisha for the good work you have done, I feel thankful for Zidisha group and may almighty God bless you abundantly. My previous loan helped me a lot to achieve my goals last year and am much happy for the effort you made to see me through. Through the loan you given me i was able to buy a new photocopy machine which has assisted me much in business and have made to to gain a lot of customers due to its quality. I thank you once more, hoping that even the next loan will be of help to me and my business.

A happy 2015 really it is. During the holidays I did a clean prunning on my trees. Thanks to Zidisha. Now my trees can grow stronger and beautiful. I could not get a good photo while up the shaky tree. 2015 has presented challenges to farmers in our county after an out break of necrosis attacking cereals crops. The county advises on alternative farming and I was already on a small project on passion fruit farming. These are hardy crops and yield well both in product and farm gate prices. I need some cash to buy quality seedlings from KARI each @ KSH 30. I will inter crop among the young trees and use cypress posts and rafters(from my pruning waste) to support the vine. Farming is tricky but I expect to give positive progress within 2 months of planting as this plant is very vigourous.

Indeed the sum has been of help and now am so busy.Thanks to God that I trust myself and know that i will graduate to the next level and see my business in another level with the ability to create more jobs and make food reachable to majority of people in the Kisumu City.May the LORD bless you people for choosing to stand with people like me and us.Shalom

My first loan was great, i managed to buy grey paint for my doors, white paint for my lintel and black paint for the window panes. This amounted to a total of 5000ksh, i also spent the rest of money to pay the paint man for the job.

My houses look more beautiful and attractive even to my tenants. Now they are very happy because the houses look good. this has also increased confidence between me and my tenants. My houses are also fully occupied and i happy because this is possible because of zidisha loan. At least now i have a guaranteed income from this projected and i will now continue re investing the income that i get inform of rents to build some more houses. this income will also help me educate my children.

having a permanent source of income is a very important thing for a family. my family is happy and i have confidence that zidisha loans will help me develop it further.
Thanks to zidisha loans, my project is now taking shape.

hello hello dear lenders,once again i thank you for making me my business more prosperous. i started with a simple movie shop and now it has grown to double where i sell even stereo machines like subwoofers and tv sets. am happy to do business with you and expect more in future

Thank God for Zidisha. i have earn double of what i invested in the cane business in the christmas season. there are other thisng i have to do as soon as i am done with this repayment. i am very grateful.

Thanks to all my lenders you people have really demonstrated your love for the children's, I will not let you people down, I will make sure that this loan has made some changes to the life of our children's

Good morning. i purchased stationary and maps to aid me in my training of scouts n since school are opening on fifth January i am optimistic that my business in scouting will be a success as it will impact well on student scouts and make me known for a great training .I will be able to get new schools and train them on scouting and this will increase my earnings tremendously. T,his year my son will join school kindergarten and i am looking forward to the task ahead. During the holidays here in our country and neighborhood, we make merry by gathering as family and friends while sharing drinks food,singing and dancing. We love fun and are welcoming people. thank you for giving me this loan as it has broaden my mind and make my business a profitable one in the coming days.

Hi Michael,

Here is the chair I bought for our business.

Thanks
Mercy

I am greatful for what Zidisha has improved in my business. I had little faith in online crowdfunding but I am now evidence that such things exist and ACTUALLY work!

I am in a position to pay a higher instalment amount. I want to repay my loan in the shortest time possible with as much ease as possible.

Happy new year to my awsome lenders.

Dear lenders,

I am very glad since you understood me when i was facing too much rains that i could not access the market.Now the problem is over and am able to transport my tomatoes and vegetables to the market,some of my customers too are now able to reach me.Now am able to generate enough income to help me repay my loan as am planning to buy a water pump if in very future you reloan me again.

Thank so much.

je vend des pagnes bazin cousure voici photo d'un bazin que j'ai cousure pour vendre ça marche un peu merci pour m'aider à evoluer un peu

i managed to purchase a CPU Pentium 4, a much more faster machine that the rest that i have, the new machine has become everybody's favorite machine as customers take little time doing their staff, the earning have increased a little bit by 10%, the increased earning i am saving so a to purchase new more machine to speed up customer service and time usage. last holiday Dec 25 we spend time with my parent at rural village. the neighborhood to our place have people are closed up and only meet during communal events.

Zidisha has not only helped me access affordable credit, but also it has given me a lot of hopes of achieving my dreams. with the first loan i received from zidisha, i was able to purchase paint for my rental housing project. i managed to purchase black paint for my window panes, white paint which i used to paint my lintel, and i also bought grey paint that i used to paint my doors.

Now my houses look beautiful and my tenants are happy and i am happy as well because i can see that my project is now starting to take shape. My plans is to build some more rental houses so that i can be able to increase my earnings, i am also happy because zidisha loan has helped me make my houses more habitable and this has made my tenants to have more confidence in me.

The earnings that i get from this project helps me to be able to educate my children. i also use some of this earnings to purchase more construction materials so that i can build some more houses. This dream is quickly becoming a success story because of zidisha loans.

Just want to say thank you to my lenders.I received the loan on my phone today and have bought an initial 100 A4 sheets of photograph paper.I have a wedding to photograph tomorrow.3rd of Jan,and hope it will recoup some of the money to reinvest and eventually enable a higher repayment of the loan.

Happy new year guys and i hope you have all cerebrated well in your respective country as we have done here in Kenya. We are now in the year 2015 we thank God our maker for enabling us to have reached this far. I want to take this opportunity now to thanks the community for the year ended 2014 for your effort in making the world a better place , thanks alot for your effort. As for my part the printer is doing a graet job especially this festive seasons it has really helped me thanks to you guys, im even conteplating in buying a bigger camera now with large zoom so that im able to capture clear image in along distance.

Jo Dane
Thank you so much Jo Dane i am happy that you believe in my idea because with cold freshly made juices people will avoid taking carbonated drinks which are harmful to health its also my little way of trying to instill a culture of taking fruits in my society and it will go a long way to refresh them and also boost their health and i know in my own little way i will be helping some people protect their health and also earn a living thank you so much Jo Dane am very grateful may our creator, bless you.

This is a photo of my new dairyshop.

This small family me ...
very happy to have a small child and being funny-funny ..

The funds helped me to irrigate and gardening, the tomatoes are doing extremely well and by this mid January they will ready for harvesting,i have a ready market because right now the demand for tomatoes is very high and supply is very low.I know if all goes well i will reap very good profit, My wife is always happy with zidisha because we had tried to get money to no avail, Our life will change,I would like to thanks Zidisha organization for giving me this chance to better our life.I thanks my lenders for their contribution and i will never let them down.Thanks to Zidisha.

Dear All,
As of Today i received the Loan requested in full, Many Thanks for your support starting tomorrow i will begin the purcharse of my Maize Stock.
Have a blessed New Year

Happy New Year to all my lenders. You made my 2014 a beautiful year and brought great hope.

The photoshop helps me make sharper images and helps me create colorful splatter using their dress code.You wouldnt believe but these girls are one womans daughters,and one father.A lovely family who were all flowergirls at their sisters wedding.Photo used with consent of the family.

This is a sample i have been allowed to use,it was a wedding and she was a flowergirl.I edit out the background and make it as appealing as i can for the client.

I sincerely give thanks to all Lenders for your successful contribution towards my loan funding. What you have done has really shock me!! . I am going to surprise you with my repayment. God bless you all abundantly and have a happy and prosperous new year!!!

Happy new yearto all my lenders! My lenders I am really grateful for what you have done for me, may God richly bless you all for giving me this loan, I can not explain what this loan has done for, because this loan has really put change in my fashion work.