My full names are Jesper Kumuhuza. I was born on 16th January, 1992 in Northwestern Province of Zambia. I started my grade one in 1998 at Ikelenge Primary School. My father was working a truck driver for a Catholic mission in our area. It was not an easy job for my Dad to educate six children from the income he got from his job as a driver. We used to walk about 10 kilometers fro and to school every week day with my siblings and a few friends.

I attended my grade one up to grade twelve at Ikelenge Primary school and High school respectively. Attaining education in the village was challenging as there were a lot of hurdles that I faced personally and as a family. It was through my determination and hard work that I managed to pull through to grade 12. Despite the hardships I went through, I scored good results and got accepted at the University of Zambia.

One thing that has helped me to overcome my challenges in life and pull through is because am supper focused, determined and organized on what I believe in and what is good for my life and the community I live in.

From college, I learnt that life/education is not about getting a job only, but changing the environment. I believe in a poverty free community. I want to plant a good environment for my children, family and community; hence I started my own business.

Chipata is a good town because it is a border town, with good business opportunities, developing at a high rate and yet to be called City.

During my free time, I like to read and research, surfing on the internet so that I stay informed and up to date with the world.

I run poultry for broiler chickens. The poultry is located near to my house and it can accommodate up to 300 chickens. I buy small chicks from local sellers and then keep them until they are ready for consumption then I sale them too. Of late chicken is one of the most consumed as relish in Zambia. Many Zambians buy chicken on a daily basis for home consumption and business for instance those running cafeterias and restaurants. Chicken is cheap and affordable, this helps even the poor to have the ability to buy chicken pieces and have a good meal in a day. So chicken is on demand in Chipata and as a person who has a heart for the community, I chose to run one (poultry) so as to provide the public with enough relish.

At the moment, the cost for selling one whole chicken is about K40 ($3.8) each. The small chicks cost about three Kwacha (Zambian Kwacha) each. The cost for selling one big chicken is arrived at after calculating all the expenses on feed and medicine for the chicks.

I use the profit from my business to pay for my house rentals, bills, and food. Apart from this, I also help my father since he is old now. The remaining profit I reinvest in the business with the dream of expanding it.

I plan to use some of the money to finish my house that I have built through zidisha help in my business. I will need to buy paint for painting the exterior and buy sealing materials. The loan also will help me to pay for labor expenses.

I’m going to use this loan for land preparation for my cucumbers and onions farm. Part of the money will be used to buy fertilizer/ manure, fuel for irrigation and the necessary pesticides. This project is estimated to bring in 150% interest at the end of four months. I will be able to supply good quality cucumbers and red onion to my community and create employment for the local.