LogoLogo
Browse Projects

Project Updates

The latest updates from projects made possible by our global community.
Taylor HannaT
Taylor Hanna  ·  United States
Feb 18, 2015
Dear Lenders, I had to go pretty far in the north of Ghana and visit some elephants on the way, but I finally got to meet Godwin last week in Bolgatanga. The capital of the Upper East region in northern Ghana, Bolga is relatively small but boasts the bustle and energetic feel of a much larger city. I met Godwin in his home where he lives near his mother’s Spot, or local bar, and his brothers. He is soft-spoken and responsible – the oldest of three and, since their father passed away three years ago, a provider as well. Godwin got his degree in computer science but after spending his national service year as a teacher, realized he had found his calling: a place where he could use his skills to help the community he grew up in. Now he teaches ICT skills in a village just outside of Bolga – an area that struggles to find qualified computer teachers. Although many students only have access to technology at school, even that doesn’t amount to much. The few computers that schools do have are out of date, occasionally in disrepair, and can’t access the internet. Adding further challenge, there are so few of them that as many as eight students have to crowd around each screen during class. Godwin does what he can in borrowing friends’ laptops to use at the school and repairing equipment pro bono. But he wants to establish a cyber café near the school to offer students internet access and the opportunity to gain the technological skill necessary if they want to keep up with the industry. Godwin has used his first Zidisha loan to help him repair and sell computer hardware, which he does in his spare time in his office. This extra income helps him keep his youngest brother in school while also saving up to contribute to a proper computer center to serve the community and local students. He admits that when he heard about Zidisha from his friend, he thought it was a joke. But having put his first loan into action, Godwin is incredibly grateful for the support of his lenders and very excited for the future. I had a great, albeit too short, stay in Bolga and am glad to have met Godwin. We wish him the best! Taylor Ghana Country Ambassador Zidisha
MonicaM
Monica  ·  Accra, Ghana
Feb 18, 2015
I am most grateful to Zidisha lenders for putting me in business. Myself n my shop serving a customer.comment imagecomment imagecomment image
TonyT
Tony  ·  Umoja, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
Thanks for what you converted me tocomment imagecomment image
TitoT
Tito  ·  Kitengela, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
This is the food warmer after purchasecomment image
RuthR
Ruth  ·  Kitengela, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
I used my first loan to purchase this incubator pictured below and feed for my current stock.comment image
K
Kerry Tiedeman  ·  United States
Feb 18, 2015
My name is Kerry and I am a Client Relationship Intern for Zidisha in Nairobi. Today I had the opportunity to meet Paul Okun, a leather worker in Nairobi. Paul is new to Zidisha and just received his first loan, which has enabled him to purchase a curve cutting machine. This allows him to cut leather leaving a rounded edge instead of just relying on his scissors which produce a square edge. Paul was born and raised in Spring Valley, a neighborhood of Nairobi. He still lives on the compound that he and his six brothers and sisters were raised in. In fact, Paul, his mother, and four of his siblings and their families still live in the compound. It can feel very crowded and this may be why his father relocated upcountry to his village of Oyugis. Paul credits the success of his business to his father, since he has always pushed him and helped him financially. After high school, Paul's grades weren't good enough to study at college, not that he was too interested anyway. He realized he was more interested in working with his and hands and different materials. Together with a colleague, they began building crafts from computer designs. This turned building and apolstering furniture. Paul would sell wooden chairs from his father's compound, however since the competiton was fierce, he began producing leather products like folders and coasters. He secured his first big deal with Zehineria Hotel in Westlands. He made them their menu folders, later coasters and eventually Zehineria asked Paul to make 200 conference pads for business meetings. Below are photos of all these products. Only yesterday, with the purchase of the curve cutting machine, Paul secured a deal with Kenya Scout to make 10,000 scouts, which are used to hold women's head scarves together at the base of the neck. This is a huge deal, and it is thanks to Paul and his charisma and persistence, but also to Zidisha lenders. Without the machine, Paul could not have produced the curved edges needed for the scouts. In the future, Paul is looking to continue securing contracts with this company to produce pouches and belts. He wants to use these profits and loans from Zidisha to purchase more machines like a laser engraving machine and hole punching machine. This way he can avoid outsourcing. LIke a true businessman he wants to control all lines of production. This will aslo lead to hiring more employees. Already with the new deal he his able to bring his orphaned cousin to Nairobi from upcountry. The cousin will work for him and in return Paul will provide room and board and pay for his college fees. After his meeting with me, Paul was headed to Kibera, the largest slum in Nairobi. There he works with small business owners to teach them how to market their products. He also plans on spreading awareness of Zidisha. The next time we meet, I will check out his workshop in a neighborhood outside of Nairobi. I am leather lover, so I plan on doing some shopping.comment imagecomment imagecomment imagecomment imagecomment image
PriscillaP
Priscilla  ·  Moonlight, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
Hi lenders, Am grateful to all who supported my loan because my profit has increased approximately by 70% and I want to use partly to buy more utensils so that more customers can be served well. Thanks Zidisha lenders !
DuloD
Dulo  ·  Muhoroni, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
The pit latrine you saw last week now has slab put on it.it actually costed me Ksh.15,000.Now i have my eyes fixed upon repaying the loan as well as looking for other means of putting up the walls,floors,doors,urinals and painting before the kids start using the new toilet.Actually the project will cost Ksh.60,000.Thank you zidisha and my lenders one more time for investing in our life,more so for helping us address one of the biggest challenges of our time.(equal, affordable and modern education for all )comment image
M
Margaret  ·  Vihiga- Chavakali, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
a mother pig with her piglets feeding in an open area. This is the best i trust in the flock for her good mothering abilitycomment image
JanetJ
Janet  ·  Nairobi Kenya, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
Just added three more plastic chairs, once more just to say thank you to all zidisha staff and lending persons. for now have bought eight plastic chairs.comment imagecomment imagecomment image
JanetJ
Janet  ·  Nairobi Kenya, Kenya
Feb 18, 2015
Thank you to zidisha, I love what am doing through your help. I serve my customers with respect and hey enjoy my services. After buying chairs? customers enjoy my services.comment imagecomment imagecomment imagecomment image
HannahH
Hannah  ·  Nairobi-kaloleni, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
And these others are a compilation of photos inside and during the services of daily basis in the same place and some of my workers as they try to serve my customers in the respective place.comment image
MargaretM
Margaret  ·  Mombasa, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
This evening I am so excited and so happy. Whoever thinks Zidisha is a myth should just come and experience this. That I have my loan approved, funded and disbursed in such a short time - I do not have enough words to thank the Zidisha community. Thanks to all the lenders who made this my loan come through. Special regards to Hedwich who has been in the front line of all my 3 loans. Thanks Hedwich and all the other lenders for the much confidence you have had in me. I already bought the amaranthus seed and the first ground is ready for planting. 2 other portions of land are in the process and should be ready in the course of the week. Concerning my community activities at Zidisha I am glad to be availed the opportunity to be a VM and I already have 5 assigned members. Since I cannot pay back the goodness I have received from Zidisha, this is the only way - to help others benefit from the resources available at Zidisha.
AnthonyA
Anthony  ·  Kanja, Embu, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Zidi the cowcomment image
E
Ed Sikorski  ·  United States
Feb 17, 2015
Hello Amos, I am happy to share recent good fortune with you. I am a gardener ans grow tomatoes each season, as well as other vegetables. Sometimes I'm successful, sometimes things could be better. Good luck with your garden. Ed Sikorski
C
Cherotich  ·  Kapsimbeiywo, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
My Potatoescomment image
DanielD
Daniel  ·  Bamburi, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
The chicks relaxing in their coop.comment image
DanielD
Daniel  ·  Bamburi, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
This is me with my brood of one and a half weeks. They will be ready in four weeks time.comment image
AndrewA
Andrew  ·  Kisumu,, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
My son Morgan is now in class 2 and the increased earnings are helping me even pay for his school fees.Attached is his photo he was happy too when i told him about Zidishacomment image
JaneJ
Jane  ·  Meru, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Now my knee can move with less paincomment image
SamsonS
Samson  ·  Kitale, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Hi Lenders. Here is a photo of myself at at the gate of the country's leading Seed Company when I went to buy seeds. Again, thanks for the funds.comment image
JudithJ
Judith  ·  Bungoma, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
This are the items i managed to purchase which costed $27.50comment imagecomment image
EverlyneE
Everlyne  ·  Kanduyi Area Of Bungoma, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
A larger photo of my stallcomment image
F
Fredrick  ·  Bungoma, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Me in my shop.I will post the new photos soon.A Zidisha mentor helped me put the shop on google map.Styles Gold barbershop in Bungoma.Hope i can open a website and be ahead of others toocomment image
FrancisF
Francis  ·  Nairobi, Kenya, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
I would like to thank Zidisha for their support towards my project I wish to improve my chicken rearing project, The photos shows the structure i have built to house 500 chickencomment imagecomment image
AnthonyA
Anthony  ·  Kanja, Embu, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Zidi the cowcomment image
ObedO
Obed  ·  Nakuru, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
still at shopcomment image
MaryM
Mary  ·  Nairobi-pangani, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
SERVING CUSTOMERS IN MY SHOP IS THE FIRST PRIORITY AND THIS IS MY WEALTH I LIKE AND LOVE MY JOB.comment image
MaryM
Mary  ·  Nairobi-pangani, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
THIS IS ME JUST RELAXING IN MY HOME AREAcomment image
JosephJ
Joseph  ·  Ruaka, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Bought a new printer Epson TX800 with the loan that I got and now my business is still growing from one level to the other. Thanks to Zidisha Teamcomment imagecomment imagecomment imagecomment imagecomment image
JohnJ
John  ·  Kitengela, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
Dear lenders, i am very grateful for the loan that you gave me to install electricity to my rental housing business. i am very happy because i was able to pay 166 dollars to the Kenya Power and Lighting Company as deposit for the installation of electricity. I also spent 29 dollars to pay for my transportation cost to and from the Kenya power and Lighting Company Offices. The total amount for the full installation will be 498 dollars. Therefore, i will still be required to clear a balance of 332 dollars. I am really thankful for your generosity. I am happy because i know Once the electricity is fully installed, my houses will even appeal more to my tenants and my business will even be better. After installation of Electricity, i will also be required to install piped water and also build hygienic toilets after which i will now construct more rental houses.
PeterP
Peter  ·  Athi-river-kmc Quaters, Kenya
Feb 17, 2015
And now here are some of the foods we prepare foe our customers:-this one is roasted beef meat ready for consumption.comment image
PeterP
Peter  ·  Athi-river-kmc Quaters, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
This is now the main part of the restaurant with my customers while sited for their meals.comment image
PeterP
Peter  ·  Athi-river-kmc Quaters, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
this is the inner side of the same where the cashier is as she continue to serve the customers while they pay.comment image
PeterP
Peter  ·  Athi-river-kmc Quaters, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
This is the front part of the restaurant where customers pay and request their orders to be servedcomment image
ShadrackS
Shadrack  ·  Berekum, Ghana
Feb 16, 2015
At workcomment imagecomment image
CheruiyotC
Cheruiyot  ·  Bomet, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
First of all may take this opportunity to sincerely thank the Zidisha community for the financial assistance they accorded me. the contribution helped me a great deal in expanding my tea farm. Now I have 3 acres of land under tea which will give me great returns in the next two years. God bless you all in your endeavors
ConstanceC
Constance  ·  Ahwiaa-meduma, Ghana
Feb 16, 2015
At lectures, thanks to the zidisha team.comment image
GraceG
Grace  ·  Nairobi-kahawa Wedani, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
this is one of the front shelves in the display.comment image
FelixF
Felix  ·  Berekum, Ghana
Feb 16, 2015
Busy at workcomment imagecomment image
CatherineC
Catherine  ·  Ndenderu, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
Thank you so much for the iwriter special request. I have arrived at the cyber this morning, and I have started my research on it. I am a very hard worker, therefore you can be sure that I will do a thorough job. About the hard disk, there are some people who specialize in data recovery here. However, most of the time, the cost is higher than the price of a new hard disk. I am holding on to the hard disk because the pictures of my children are in it, as well as most of my poems and lyrics. One day, when I am able to save enough to afford it, I will definitely recover everything. Thank you so much for your confidence in me as well as your help. I will not let you down. Regards.
DennisD
Dennis  ·  Ngurubani, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
I have also attached a few images showing my school life. Otherwise, I am working hard at both ends to meet both my educational and business goals. Thank You so much dear lenders.comment image
DennisD
Dennis  ·  Ngurubani, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
Dear Zidisha Members, the loan has been very resourceful in my business and my studies too. No wonder I have managed to welcome new members as well as pay my loan on time. Words alone cannot express how grateful I am for the support, inspiration and motivation from the members of this forum. I have managed to raise my school fees for the last two semesters, and still sustain my business. At the moment I am working on a plan to purchase a personal Computer before the semester ends, and I am optimistic that this will be possible.
E
Emmanuel Worlanyo  ·  Sunyani, Ghana
Feb 16, 2015
This is a flier i designed for Busol Ghana Limited, a business consulting firm located in Sunyani where my business operates.comment image
HannahH
Hannah  ·  Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
RIPPLE EFFECTS When my business grow, my daughter too shall have good upbringing. Thank You Lenders.comment image
AllanA
Allan  ·  Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
Just me in my shop and this is part of the second hand clothes I sell.comment image
MardianaM
Mardiana  ·  Sungguminasa, Gowa, Indonesia
Feb 16, 2015
Dear lenders, Thank you for helping us to develop our business. Here are photos of the development of new home construction mushrooms are funded from loans zidisha. Thank you very muchcomment imagecomment image
GeorgeG
George  ·  Nakuru, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
Greetings all, i must confes how am glad to be a member of the zidisha platform infact i feel zidisha has been like my family since i joined lasr year in august. you have been with me all this way and i feel that i did a very good choice of being here. am happy to have completted my first loan which enabled me boost my bussiness of maize milling in nakuru county,and so far i thank the zidisha platform for i could not make it without your selfless support. with my next loan i plan to start packaging the maize flour in 1kg and 2kg packets and also use part of the loan in acquiring the kenya national bureal of statictics(kebs) logo that will see me able to go market my flour in supermarkets within Nakuru and towns like Naivasha which neighbour Nakuru. using the first loan i was able to increase stock by upto 80% from 35%, this is a great milestone i have achieved and also i have been able to hire my first 2 employees who assist me in the manufacturing and marketting of the flour. my vision is to sell my product to every town in my country and also feed many Kenyans within reach and i know that with the support of zidisha lenders my dreams will come true. thanks alot zidisha platform as you fund me on my second loan.
MainaM
Maina  ·  Nyeri, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
Thank you very much zidisha lending community for funding my previous loan.It has gone along way in improving my business my life and that of others around me.I managed to pay a deposit of $40 for an incubator and have done research on the proper green house to buy for my vegetable production business plan.My earnings have increased form around $60 to around $100 since i increased inventory for my chicken farm. I am very grateful since my wife and i are about to get a baby so this has come in the right time to ensure that our child has a bright future. Thank you very much and God bless you.comment image
NicholasN
Nicholas  ·  Nairobi, Kenya
Feb 16, 2015
This valentine, I took my family to the national park. It was a day full of funcomment image

Watch your impact grow.

Connect with remarkable people around the world and help them reach their goals.
Meet an entrepreneur

Explore

  • How It Works
  • FAQ
  • Press
  • Sitemap

Act

  • Browse Projects
  • Gift Cards

Connect

  • Project Updates
  • Blog
  • Facebook
  • Twitter

Account

  • Sign Up
  • Log In
  • Dark mode
    Enable dark mode
LogoLogo
© 2026  |  Terms  |  Privacy  |  Contact