My names are Ian Chishala. I was born in 1979 in mansa in a village in zambia. Life in the village was very tough. i started my grade 1 and was walking about 10km every day. I went up to grade 9 then couldnt continue as life was tough no support. My parents are peasant farmers so not enough money. That challenge made me stop school so i came to mufulira where i lived with my mother's sister then later i started stayin alone. I realised mufulira is near a congo border and women like chitenge materials so i started business of buying chitenges from congo and selling at a stand. I am married with one child who wants to become a pilot in future.My hobby is going to church.

My business is selling chitenge materials and these are original material and women like them a lot so they are on demand. And that is why i chose this business. My typical cost is transport and pieces of chitenge material. I spend ZMW7,500 to buy 30 pieces of chitenge material and transport ZMW500. When i sale i make profit and buy food and pay school fees for my child.Sometimes i put back profit in my business.

I thank all my lenders for your help in my last loan. I have been selling different types of material but mostly chitenge (wraps) and African materials especially for women from an open stand but i want to build my own shop . My dream is to see my business growing everyday and I can see that dream coming true because of zidisha. My business has improved after my first loan with zidisha it is no longer the same am so happy. When am given this loan I will buy building materials so that i engage someone to build my clothing shop and the profit I make I will buy food for children at home.