OzKiwi    Jan 24, 2014

Any news?

• mewesten    Feb 22, 2014

  Hahahaha

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Samuel    Nov 4, 2013

I phoned Joel Mwangi but his phone number is not working. In turn, I phoned his Community Leader, Paul Murrithi, and informed him of Joel's loan arrears. Paul explained he is in Nakuru town right now. He however promised to travel to the farms and pass my message to Joel Mwangi. Paul will then call me tomorrow to update me on the situation facing Joel that is causing him to be behind schedule on his repayments.

• S

  share    Nov 26, 2013

  Any further information on Joel's situation?

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• S

  share    Jan 12, 2014

  Do you have any further update on Joel's situation? He still hasn't made any payments at all.

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bconrad    Sep 16, 2013

Dear lenders, my name is Bayle and I am a Country Liaison Intern with Zidisha.

I wanted to take a minute to update you about Mr. Mwangi's loan status. Mr. Mwangi contacted us in mid-August to apologize for the delay with his loan payments. He said he had not previously indicated a date of payment because he did not want to make a promise he could not keep, due to the fluctuating nature of potato farming. We have more recently been in contact with him and he plans on paying soon.

Thank you for your patience as we work with Mr. Mwangi to make payments on his loan.

analinjsaturria    Jun 1, 2013

Dear lenders,
Joel has shared some more details of his expected harvest of potatoes this month: he has planted one acre of land with potatoes. The unit of sale for this root vegetable in Kenya is the debe. Joel explained to me that one bag of potatoes is comprised of 7 debes. One debe of potatoes currently sells for KSH 300 in Kenya. On average, he expects his first round of harvest to be of 40 bags.
In developing countries, very often, due to the fluctuating nature of informal businesses, projections and planning ahead in general are not quite the norm. Things happen in a more day-to-day manner. One of the greatest efforts of the microfinance movement worldwide has been to educate borrowers in the importance of management and planning for their businesses within their means. In many cases, a borrower will do what would be considered by many in the developing world rudimentary forms of things like inventory or bookeeping (especially for accounts receivable) but it means a better organizational system that organizations and individuals like our Client Relationship Interns can perfect through the necessary coaching.
Joel has expressed his profuse thanks to you and us at Zidisha multiple times, not only for the disbursement of the loan, but also for your patience and support while he gets back on his feet.

analinjsaturria    May 30, 2013

Dear lenders,
My name is Analin Saturria McGregor, Communications Associate at Zidisha.
Joel is currently working on his farm planting potatoes. He reports that so far, planting is going well and he has not had major issues with the crops. Once he harvests potatoes he expects to catch up with his loan repayments. Joel is also an active member of his community and continues to express his gratitude to lenders for the loan. We wish Joel the best and will keep you posted on his farm developments.

Joel    May 29, 2013

Dear lenders, I would like to apologize fr the delayed payments over the month. This is because of the expenses i had incurred during the school opening of my children and the amount that i left i used to plant potatoes which are doing well. I am very happy that the potatoes looks very attractive and will be ready to harvest in a months times. this means that i will be able to repay my loan. I have posted the photo of my Potatoes. Thank you lenders for your understanding.

Joel    Mar 7, 2013

The reasons as to why I want to reschedule my loan repayment are because last month I had a lot of expenses which include payment of school fees for my children who are at school. I also had to plough my piece of land in preparation of planting come next month. Also my wife have not been feeling good and therefore I had to spend more money on medication but God is good she is now feeling better. This made me to over expend beyond expectation and led me without money. This is why I want all lenders to accept my rescheduling of the loan. Hope all shall be fine and I will repay as rescheduled.

Joel    Dec 26, 2012

I writing to inform you on my progress. Currently am well off with the amount that you lend me last time. I have harvested my maize, i planted the horticultural crops i.e. spinach, tomatoes, beans. I am currently started harvesting my spinach. i am getting five bags of spinach after two weeks and one bag of spinach is going for Kshs. 1000. the beans are starting to fruit and soon i will start harvesting them. I have half an acre of potatoes which i will harvest next week. I have a good flow of income this season because of your assistance through your funding.
Attached are photos of my shamba showing beans and spinach.
I thank all lenders for their support. May Almighty God Bless you all.

• OzKiwi    Dec 29, 2012

  That is good to hear Joel. I wish you a happy new year.

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Joel    Oct 9, 2012

I am very grateful for having a visit in my farm. I do appreciate.
Thank you very much.

dcembrola    Oct 4, 2012

October 1, 2012

Hello, my name is Dan Cembrola, one of Zidisha’s Kenya Client Relationship Managers. I am currently visiting Zidisha borrowers in Nakuru and its outskirts.

I visited Joel at the place of one of his businesses in Bahati. It is evident that Joel is a natural community leader, and a well-respected one at that. His most idealistic long-term goals are eradicating poverty in Bahati. Toward that end, he has used his Zidisha loan to expand his farm and invested in higher quality fertilizer and seeds to ensure that his crops will be healthy and bountiful. Joel strongly advocates the use of high quality seeds and fertilizer to his neighboring farmers. He evidenced his point clearly as he gave me a tour of his village, pointing out which farms were able to afford fertilizer and quality seeds.

In an effort to advance his community, Joel is selling a portion of his land that he has tilled and prepared for the next growing season to a neighbor. His intent is to give his neighbor an opportunity to begin a small farming business to help support his family. Joel regularly advises members of his community on improving their fertilization and irrigation practices. With the now abundant crops Joel is growing with his loan from Zidisha he has been able to employ laborers in Bahati to assist him and his wife during the harvest season.

In addition to operating a three and a half acre farm, Joel also serves as chairman of the group of motorbike operators in the region. In the past few years, there has been a rise in the incidence of common thievery in Bahati, many crimes were committed with the aid of motorbike drivers. With the assistance of the local police force and the support of his fellow motorbike drivers, Joel was elected chairman of the group. As chairman, Joel has instituted a policy that mandates that every motorbike driver must have a registered identification card which is displayed to all of their customers. This measure has provided a sense of accountability to the motorbike operators and allows their customers to be confident that each driver is registered and approved by the local government and police department.

• Joel    Oct 8, 2012

  i am very grateful to you for visiting the area and commenting. i have a small clarification to make i will not be selling a piece of land but rather farm produce which are green maize.thanks

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Joel    Sep 19, 2012

I am writing to tell you the progress since i received the funding. It has turned my farmer into green since i applied the Urea fertilizer on my maize farm after i received the money.
I also bought 2 bags of fertilizers which i used to plant the horticultural crops and i was able to pay the people who helped me in the farm. the horticulture is doing well and in two months time i will start harvesting.
With this i am planning to pay the amount by the end of January.

Joel    Sep 19, 2012

I am quite glad for having received funds from zidisha. i know it has caused many to raise the fund and my prayer is that the Almighty Go d bless you all. It is my wish and prayer to pay this amount in time to make it possible for zidisha to fund others in need.