Zidisha | Project Updates

Project Updates

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

Joseph · Nakuru, Kenya

Dec 16, 2014

Thank you so much the Zidisha Team. I am elated to have fully paid the third loan today. This has been enabled by the sustainable rates that you give us. Increased earnings from the investment has continued helping me with my farming and BPO processes. I have also gone back to school for my PhD in Project Management. I am contributing positively to my poor neighborhood as a beacon of hope and a motivator to the young generation. I have been able to hold informal sessions with the youths where we discuss various matters of life and how they can positively channel their energy. Finding Zidisha was one of my engagements in the past few years. May you keep the good work up!!! I will be filling in a form for the fourth loan once the last installment for this one has been credited.

Awudu · Berekum, Ghana

Dec 16, 2014

Thanks for your support! :) comment image

Peter Gray · United States

Dec 15, 2014

A neighbor stops by to shop during the evening. Ismail is helping her: comment image

Peter Gray · United States

Dec 15, 2014

Here is a view of the corridor where Ismail's family lives, and a view of his home business from the outside: comment image

Samuel · Mazeras, Kenya, Kenya

Dec 15, 2014

Happy Holidays!!! comment image

Peter Gray · United States

Dec 15, 2014

I’m Peter, an intern with Zidisha currently working in Indonesia. This month I made a trip to Surabaya, East Java, to visit our borrowers. Surabaya is a city of over 2.5 million people, but thankfully it’s much easier to navigate than Jakarta. While I was there I got to meet Rachmat Ismail (he goes by “Ismail”), who is one of Zidisha’s earliest clients in Surabaya. He found us independently through online research, and soon began recommending Zidisha to his friends after his own positive experience. Ismail lives with his relatives in a traditional Indonesian semi-enclosed neighborhood (“kampung”) in the Petemon area of Surabaya. For the past year, Ismail has been working as a dental technician. For seven years before this, however, he worked as a photocopy machine technician, gaining valuable experience that allowed him to start a side business as a photocopy machine salesman and repairman. Ismail used Zidisha loans to support this business, and even named his shop after Zidisha! Ismail is shopping for a new location for his photocopy machine business – one that is closer to his home than the previous space. Although his shop is currently closed, he continues to service and sell photocopy machines on his own – sometimes even delivering machines to other cities in Java. Like many Indonesians, Ismail also helps with a family enterprise. He and his mother run a shop out of their house that supplies the neighborhood with snacks, water, toiletries, and other daily goods. Neighbors stroll by throughout the day, stopping at the door to make purchases. It’s much easier to visit a neighbor than to venture out of the kampung in search of a grocery store. The income from this business is supporting Ismail’s mother, and also helping Ismail save money in anticipation of reopening his photocopy machine shop. Visiting Ismail’s family was a great experience. While eating snacks generously provided by his mother, we watched Indonesian soap operas and talked about his business and experience with Zidisha. Ismail is very knowledgeable about Zidisha, and gives his time as a Volunteer Mentor to help other borrowers use the service and recruit responsible new borrowers. He is a wonderful resource for the borrowers around him, and a model Zidisha client. comment image

Pius · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 15, 2014

with my students comment image

JimVandegriff · Trinidad, California, United States

Dec 15, 2014

Siaka, I'm very glad there was a solution. I certainly hope that your life goes more smoothly from this point on. Hoping all is well for you and your family, Jim Vandegriff

Samuel · Mazeras, Kenya, Kenya

Dec 15, 2014

Helps a lot, Wiredfox! I will reduce the Mpesa float and invest the difference in new phones. I have been asked for some phone models for too long now. The nearby EPZ ( a Wal-Mart garment making supplier) has over 2,000 employees at any given time. Since the EPZ pay is poor, most workers come join straight once they leave their parents households ( mostly after high school). Once they have enough households and belongings to sustain an independent life( bed mattress, a phone, some clothes, cooking utensils ) and some pocket money they abandon their per-piece-rate jobs and go in search of better jobs elsewhere. Therefore, there is an endless new crop of employees (customers) each time. The EPZ will always recruit some few new employees on every Monday ( to replace those who have left in past week ). I know this because i prepare most of their tax IDs (a pre-requisite for formal employment here http://itax.kra.go.ke/KRA-Portal/ ) for KES 200 each. Especially January, I expect some 500 or so new faces to join Mazeras township. Most people would return, after Christmas holiday in their ancestral rural homes, with a renewed ambition for better jobs. Some may meet some long time friends over the holidays and return to totally different towns where the same friend would support them to secure a better job there. It's the pursuit of happiness. No onewill rest till they achieve it. Shehi.

Siaka · Banfora, Burkina Faso

Dec 15, 2014

Dear Zidisha Members I thank GOD for giving me idea to overcome my problem in my village. I was too discourage when people in my village exceptionally my uncle hate me because I did not give him chance to control my business. I thing and I’m sure that there is not a problem without solution. I started to work with 3 women with my 2 wives making 5 women before my problem with my uncle started hating me for nothing. Being g in this situation, I decide to stop the 3 women left me with my 2 wives go on with my business. The 3 women have suffering for money business to put their children in the school. Now they run to my uncle apology him and ask him to order me to continue with my job so that they will continue their job getting money to put their children in the school. My uncle was too discouraged in from of these women and tells me: let them continue their job all the problem is finish. That is how I overcome to my problem. Since the day that my uncle decided that the women should continue their job, I decided to repair the house for ATTIEKE. I started to repair it but the own lesson I got is that I should not trust to anybody in this world. Yours SIAKA for ever……..

Silas · Morop, Kenya

Dec 15, 2014

dear lenders,its my grate pleasure to wish all of you merry christmas and a very beautiful new year.am okey with my family, and the loan you gave me has boosted my business with a very big impact.my retail shop has grown big with so many customers. am serving almost 300 customers per day.its grate to me that my business is doing so well.i hope to start anew project which is dairy farming.i hope this will do good since i have already started. thanks so much

Violet · Sanga'alo Village, Kenya

Dec 15, 2014

Managed to pay my first installment of the loan.It is almost christmas day and customers are stocking up,buying groceries or asking me for raw sweet potatoes to prepare.I have added more stock in my shop and even got an offer on kale seedlings which i put in a seed bed,hope to move them into the field by the end of December.Its hot but at least i have water buckets i can use to water the seedlings until their transplant.Thank you everyone,will keep you posted.

Anthony · Kanja, Embu, Kenya

Dec 14, 2014

I am able to pay more because I am getting more income from tea sales. Some of the young stems have matured and productivity has increased after supplementing with the appropriate fertilizer during the rainy season. I added the money you lent me to purchase bags of government-subsidized fertilizer on time and farming is good. I foresee good things and will soon increase further my instalments . I am very grateful Zidisha and all my lenders. Special thanks to JimVandegriff for his encouragement and contribution.

Wiredfox · Macclesfield, United Kingdom

Dec 14, 2014

Dear Samuel Thanks for this insight into your business challenges. It sounds as if you are taking a sensible, level-headed approach. Sometimes a delay to one's plans can provide an opportunity to reassess the business plan and consider other alternatives. But sometimes it's just annoying...!

George · Kato, Ghana

Dec 13, 2014

Samples of my work comment image

Duke · Nakuru, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

Dear my lenders, i am happy to let you know that am okey and that my motorbike taxi business is doing fine. please note that i am able to submit my weekly payments very comfortably since my job is doing well. am now thinking about owning a brandy new motor bike come next year. Note that my business involves hiring motorbikes to qualified drivers who do not own one. in return one pays kes 1800 Kenya shillings per week. this amountis even excess by 1800-1485=315 of the total amount i pay on my loan. this is why through your help i want to own atleast two motorbikes come next year. Thank you my lenders . merry chrismass and happy new year. from Duke ombagi Nyangau.

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

Mureithi the electrician. He worked on the project till really late at night. An amazing guy and loves his work. I'm glad he worked on the project. comment image

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

We're almost there. With a pal Denis asking him what he thinks of the place. comment image

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

The classroom setup comment image

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

Branding of premise comment image

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

Computers arrived on time. comment image

Ian · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 13, 2014

Designers hard at work. comment image

Moussa · Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Dec 13, 2014

J'ai fait un tours au bosquet comment image

Moussa · Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Dec 13, 2014

J'ai fait un tours au bosquet comment image

Moussa · Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Dec 13, 2014

J'ai fait un tours au bosquet comment image

Moussa · Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso

Dec 13, 2014

J'ai fait un tours au bosquet comment image

Edward · Abura Dunkwa C/r, Ghana

Dec 13, 2014

First of all i will want to express my gratitude to Zidisha for such a platform. and to Swendl i am grateful for the help in terms of the funding. i am so elated. i could not believe it when i received the message that you have funded 100% of my loan. words alone would not be enough to convey my gratitude but surely God bless you. i am hitting the grounds running right away and i will do all i can to maintain my financial integrity. ones again ,i am grateful....

Franmiguel · Perth, Australia

Dec 13, 2014

Hi Antony, And a merry Xmas to yourself, your wife and newborns. Well done. I am happy to hear that having access to funds is making life a little easier. All the best. Michael

Samuel · Makuyu, Kenya

Dec 12, 2014

Dear lenders, I am delighted to let all know of how I have benefited from the loan that I have just completed repaying. As an online worker, I always wanted to own a personal computer and thanks to Zidisha and the lenders I was able to see it happen. Working from cyber cafes was always hectic since the costs were quite high as well as inconveniencing. Since purchasing the personal comp with help from zidisha lenders, I have enjoyed better profits as well as convenience in that I can work from my residence at any time including the night. I have also been of help to aspiring online workers who have often enquired what online working is all about, all thanks to the P.C I purchased with Zidisha's assistance. Unemployment in Kenya, being a developing country is real, but with online jobs which include transcription and writing, I have been able to rise above the menace into self reliance. I don't have enough words to thank the lenders who risk their hard earned money to assist people in the third world venture into business, without forgetting the affordably low interest rates. Going forward, I have been saving some little money monthly, with which I anticipate to venture wider in online work by purchasing more P.Cs, and above all create employment for more. I look forward to it and I believe lenders will chip in to assist, and in turn I'll faithfully repay. Thanks.

Beryl · Utawala M.c Shopping Center, Kenya

Dec 11, 2014

Hi people,My name is Zoey Akinyi Ochieng, Akinyi means being born during wee hours in the morning, a male would be called Okinyi. Ochieng is my Dad"s name meaning being born at around sunrise in the morning,the female would be called Achieng(check out my Mums second name)In my Luo tribe culture demanded that children were named according to the time of the day,seasons(be it planting or harvesting)or any political activity that might be taking place during that time(like Independence,would be called Uhuru)as for Zoey ,mum tells me that she watched a movie while pregnant with me and the kid who starred in that movie was called zoey mmmmmh, that is a story for another day,however.I would really thank all Lenders who had faith in my mum"s loan and bidded for it,take from us that your loan will be paid in time as i know that she is a person of high moral standards and integrity,consider your loans fully paid and hopefully she would apply for bigger loans and you will be there to support her!in case i don't get permission to post another comment,I wish to take this earliest opportunity to wish each one of you a Merry Xmas and A Happy New Yeaar...

Beryl · Utawala M.c Shopping Center, Kenya

Dec 11, 2014

hi everyone, christmas is just around the corner,and as a family we have our tradition of making a very big christmas tree,then each member of the family is given a portion to decorate and as you decorate it you are expected to sing at least 3christmas Carrol as the others listen and of course on 24th eve we visit some of the widows and orphans in the neighborhood with some food items and donate clothes that both Robert and zoey have outgrown.kindly share with us how you spend this last days to Christmas or if you even believe in Christmas day.

Patrick · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 11, 2014

After the last loan, i was able to buy dairy concentrates in bulk. That way I was assured of good quality feed resulting in increased milk production. The increased milk production resulted in more income from milk sale and subsequently more savings. I have been able to buy an heifer calf from the proceeds and increased my herd. Attached is a picture of the dairy concentrates bought from the last loan financing. Thank you Zidisha team. comment image

Elijah · Kumasi, Ghana

Dec 10, 2014

These are card readers and pen drives that supports both smart phones and PC's. The pen drives were 20 pieces and the card readers were 30 pieces. For the pen drives, as am writing now it's finished. comment image

Elijah · Kumasi, Ghana

Dec 10, 2014

these are some of the things i bought with the loan comment image

Sarah · Nakuru, Kenya

Dec 10, 2014

Thanks to Zidisha i was able to instal high speed internet connection to my place of work with KDN. Now access to internet is wow!! Thanks lenders

George · Mawanga, Kenya

Dec 10, 2014

this the machine that i bought it is working so nice thanks zidisha comment image

Innocent · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 10, 2014

Thank you so much to Zidisha and the lending persons/community. After I was funded my first loan, it enabled me to increase my stalk. The income profitably i make helps me in various ways, first of all am now a family man with a beautiful wife and daughter of two moths now. It happened my daughter got sick and She had to be taken to hospital and am happy to see her smiling in front of me because she is feeling well. secondly am able to pay my loan on time rate and lastly am able to maintain my customers by providing all goods and services they need. Thank you to zidisha community. Bellow are the photos of my lovely family. comment image

Daphine · Nakuru, Kenya

Dec 10, 2014

I went to clinic yesterday to find the being my expected child. Soon God will bless me with my second child. My expected baby is doing very well.

neumans7 · Vienna, Austria

Dec 9, 2014

Hi Mercy! All the best for your business! And what a cute little daughter you have. My husband and I just welcomed our little daughter to this wonderful world 2 months ago. Thinking of you. Susanne

Benedict · Kaani Village, Kenya

Dec 9, 2014

Wow! i have managed to compress the pictures i hope i will continue uploading photo updates as i used to do.Thanks lenders i managed to buy the water tanks as i had budgeted for the loan.See photos.you can also see the resting position being constructed to set the tanks ready for water harvesting. comment image

Dennis · Ngurubani, Kenya

Dec 9, 2014

Thank You so much Samuel. I'll need a laptop cover next week. Your hardwork too is impressive

Bernard · Nairobi, Kenya

Dec 9, 2014

I am thankful for your support. I received the money about 24 hours ago and have used it to repair my laptop. I am right now working from my laptop. It now boots safely as shown in the attached picture. I expect to make enough money to acquire other computers and open a writing center. In the center I will train and employ article writing staff. I am already training one person using his computer, also shown in the picture. In the mean time, I am grateful and will repay the loan as a greed. Thank you.

Antony · Nairobi Umoja Estate, Kenya

Dec 9, 2014

Hi zindisha community! I have been to my homeland in meru were I have been taking care of my wife and our twins baby boys.thanks very much to all zindisha family for your surport in changing our lives.

Eliza · Kaani Village Machakos County Machakos City, Kenya

Dec 9, 2014

Finally ,this is a new dawn to me we have changed browser and the pictures have started uploading.This is great!Kindly lenders captured is me with my casual employee Vincent working on my briquettes project. comment image

Mercy · Lanet Centre, Kenya

Dec 8, 2014

what a surprise,my daughter is starting to make walking steps.am so happy for her.

Lucy · Kaptembwo, Kenya

Dec 8, 2014

thank you zidisha i was able to buy a horse and comp for my jet.and some braids.am able to serve my customers well.my earnings have increased by 2.14 dollars daily.am glad thanks

Mercy · Lanet Centre, Kenya

Dec 8, 2014

thank you kylie for lending me ,my shop is doing pretty fine. comment image

Daniel · Nakuru Town, Kenya

Dec 8, 2014

was selling on a cart mostly l have been using sacks to cover the melons when their is a lot of sun and rain but now lam positioned in one place unlike before but still l normally use the cart to move around the street and homes to sell this melon watch my profile photo

John · Ngarariga, Kenya

Dec 7, 2014

For everyone who funded my loan, be Blessed. I am so happy. God Bless you John Kebaso

Fridah · Kisii, Kenya

Dec 7, 2014

Dear all lenders first and fore most i thank you for the great support you have given to me my business is wonderfully growing day to day there are new customers in my business. imagine in a week i am able to make the profit of 7500 due the recent interest i make and the more customers i have been receiving i have decided to change the payment from 478 to 5,000.

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