bconrad    Sep 5, 2013

Dear Lenders, my name is Bayle and I am a Country Liaison Intern with Zidisha. We have had recent contact with Irene, and she has updated us on her situation. She currently has two immediate family members who have been very ill, and a third who has recently passed away. It is due to these difficulties that she has been unable to make a payment. She is working to catch up on payments.

Irene, all of us at Zidisha wish you and your family the best during these incredibly difficult times. Please know you are in our thoughts!

analinjsaturria    Jun 17, 2013

Dear lenders,
My name is Analin Saturria McGregor and I'm a Communications Associate at Zidisha. I'm currently leading the team of Zidisha volunteers following up in past due borrowers in Kenya. Our Volunteer Mentor in Naivasha, Francis Mugo, has provided the following report on Irene's situation:
" I communicated with borrower Irine Kuria on 3/6/2013, and she said her mother fell sick after been admitted in North Kinangop Hospital and unfortunately she died. after that, her husband is now sick and admitted in Agakan Hospital. which made her not to able to repay her loan so far. she insisted to resume the repayments immediately after her husband's healing. and also she is sorry for the inconvenient because it was not her expectations as she said".

Francis and the rest of us at Zidisha will remain in contact with Irene and make sure to provide the assistance necessary in addressing her past due repayments accordingly. Thank you for your patience and support!

analinjsaturria    Jun 17, 2013

Dear lenders,
My name is Analin Saturria McGregor and I'm a Communications Associate at Zidisha. I'm currently leading the team of Zidisha volunteers following up in past due borrowers in Kenya. Our Volunteer Mentor in Naivasha, Francis Mugo, has provided the following report on Irene's situation:
" I communicated with borrower Irine Kuria on 3/6/2013, and she said her mother fell sick after been admitted in North Kinangop Hospital and unfortunately she died. after that, her husband is now sick and admitted in Agakan Hospital. which made her not to able to repay her loan so far. she insisted to resume the repayments immediately after her husband's healing. and also she is sorry for the inconvenient because it was not her expectations as she said".

Francis and the rest of us at Zidisha will remain in contact with Irene and make sure to provide the assistance necessary in addressing her past due repayments accordingly. Thank you for your patience and support!

AWeber    Nov 7, 2012

Hello, my name is Andrew Weber and I am currently a Client Relationship Manager visiting Zidisha borrowers all over Kenya. It is quite common in Kenya to see people selling small bags of popcorn or peanuts. These ubiquitous little treats are sold by everyone from shop owners to wandering food merchants tapping on your window as you wait for your bus to depart. While the roaming vendors hawking various products are often ignored by weary Kenyans as they wait at the bus station, I’ve seen locals perk up many times to purchase a snack from a popcorn and peanut seller. Irene understands Kenyans’ craving for salty snacks, and has in turn made herself into the Popcorn Lady of Naivasha.

Irene’s popcorn and peanut empire covers more than 100 vendors and shops in the region. She has the largest network of customers in the area. Rather than join the hordes of snack retailers in the area, Irene opted to enter the distribution business in 2003. She procures large sacs of popcorn and peanuts directly from a food wholesaler in Nairobi. The massive bulk of her individual purchases speak to the volume of snacks she pushes through the area: 90 kg (200lbs.) sacs of peanuts and multiple 10kg (22lbs.) sacs of popcorn. She then cooks the products herself before having them bagged and then selling them near and far. Customers include traders who come to her to bring snacks back to their more rural villages, and also shops all over the region. “Shops buy from me because I know how to cook”, says Irene. She cooks the peanuts in salt and water with no oil.

With her loan Irene has increased her supply greatly, and moving the greater bulk has not been a problem at all for her. Wedding season is coming up so she hopes to continue moving an increased supply. The increased profits help support her six children, a couple of which are studying at universities. She is also still hoping to use part of the loan to buy a large popcorn machine, which will enable more quickly churn out her product so she can continue to grow her business. The machines are quite pricey though, so that purchase might have to wait until Zidisha loan number two. Once she has a large popcorn machine, her snack empire may begin to reach all corners of the nation.

Kate4Good    Aug 6, 2012

Good luck to you, Irene! I wish you much success in building your business and will eagerly await your updates. I admire your courage and tenacity. Best, Kate

Irene    Aug 4, 2012

hello zidisha lenders and all who participate in my loan bid, i am very happy for your support of my bid. also i am very grateful for you who introduce this noble course may GOD BLESS YOU IN ADVANCE. now it is time to play my part in making my promise of repaying back and i am sure i will not let you down. may GOD bless you all [ IRENE KURIA ]