guenter    Feb 21, 2015

Jackline?

M    Jan 21, 2015

Repaying late. No news. No updates. Even no updates after requests by investors. For me as new investor on Zidisha, this first experience is not a good one. And it is not about the money, but the missing communication/updates.

Please give us an update about your situation. Thank you.

guenter    Dec 14, 2014

Jackline, any news please?

guenter    Nov 2, 2014

Dear Jackline, you are late with your repayments. Do you have any news for us, please?

Lisbeth    Aug 24, 2014

Jackline Atsango runs a popular women’s underwear stall at the busy Adams Arcade market area in Nairobi. She opens her stall inside the main market area in the mornings but is able to move outside near the entrance from early afternoon where she attracts a lot more passing customers and makes more sales.
Like many Nairobians, Jackline grew up in western Kenya where her parents worked on a farm. As the second oldest child in a large family her parents couldn’t afford to educate her beyond Form 2 of high school after which time she moved to Nairobi and got a job as a house girl (maid). Five years ago she was able to open her clothing stall and she decided to locate her business in this market area as there are more customers and she can charge more than she would be able to in Embakasi, the suburb where she lives. But this does entail a long daily commute from one side of Nairobi to the other added to by at least three trips per week to the Gikomba Market to buy stock.
Aside from her clothing stall, Jackline also employs someone to run her small shop in Embakasi area selling fruit, vegetables, maize, cereals, beans and other basic items and the shop is going well in its second year of operation.
Jackline used her two Zidisha loans to purchase more stock for her businesses and she says this additional stock really has helped her boost profits from both businesses.
With some of her business profits Jackline was able to buy a small plot of land back in her home town which her parents are now farming maize on which helps support them and Jackline’s three primary school aged siblings.
Jackline also provides them with additional support as well as providing for herself and her younger sister, Maureen, who lives with her in Nairobi and is studying in Form 2 of high school. Jackline wants to ensure Maureen is able to finish high school and hopefully even go on to study medicine.
Jackline has had a difficult couple of months with business at her stall being less than usual due to the colder and wetter winter weather but she’s sure things will pick up soon with the weather warming up and school holidays starting. She also spent two weeks in hospital in July meaning she not only couldn’t work to earn any income but she also had medical expenses to cover. But she’s recovered now and keen to get her business and earnings back on track.
In the longer term Jackline would like to own an actual clothing store, not just a market stall, and stock a wider variety of women’s clothing so she would like to save to pay a deposit on premises and buy more stock. She is also considering undertaking further study and would like to have her own family one day.
***
Lisbeth Overheu, Kenya Client Relationship Volunteer
Photographs:
1. Jackline at her underwear stall.
2. Jackline assisting a customer.
3. Jackline’s stall in the busy Adams Arcade market area.

Jackline    Aug 9, 2014

In early July I was sick and spent two weeks in hospital. I was not able to work at this time and I also had to pay my medical bills. So I can only afford to repay 2500 this month so I have rescheduled my loan. I am now well and back at work and plan to make my usual payments again from next month. Thank you for your understanding.

jan73    Jun 29, 2014

Congratulations on continuing to make your repayments on time! Best wishes!

mewesten    Dec 16, 2013

Hello Jackline,
Congratulations -- I wanted to let you know that your first payment on this loan arrived to your lenders on Monday morning. Thank you for the payment.
I hope your business is providing well for you.
Marvin

mewesten    Nov 8, 2013

Thanks, Jackie, for letting us know that you received the loan funds. With a big chunk of capital it should make a good difference to your business. I hope it does.
My best wishes for your success.
Marvin

Jackline    Nov 7, 2013

Thanks lenders I received the loan and I have bought new stock for my business

mewesten    Oct 29, 2013

Hi Jackline,
I contributed to your loan because I respect the way you repaid your previous loan with payments each month. I appreciate that you did not repay early just to get another, larger loan. Thank you for being an honest borrower.
Respectfully, marvin

adventurerneil    Feb 17, 2013

Greetings lenders! My name is Neil DiMuccio, and I am a Client Relationship Manager with Zidisha in Kenya. I am currently visiting borrowers to learn more about them and support them with their Zidisha loans. It is my hope that this work will build bridges to better connection and understanding, and that Zidisha and its borrowers will increasingly grow, communicate, and support each other.

I was recently very fortunate to meet with Aggrey and his friend Jackline, both of whom are new borrowers, in their early 20s, working in the Adam’s Arcade / Toi Market area of Nairobi. The young and energetic duo were exceptionally polite, friendly, and patient with me. All told, we met, saw their shops, took pictures, went to a cyber café and did a New Borrower Orientation, waited out torrential downpour, and spent more time in their shops. This was topped off with a visit to the local lunch hall, where a traditional lunch of ugali and tasty nyama choma were served (if interested, please google these foods!).

Aggrey and Jackline work together in neighboring stalls of the market, selling women’s clothing. Jackline sells undergarments, while Aggrey sells tops, jumpsuits, and business wear. Asked whether women were reluctant to buy clothing from a man, Aggrey said that quite the contrary – they prefer it!
Jackline and Aggrey have both been in Nairobi for about 4 years, and have worked their way up from more informal work to be in the market. They each purchase used clothing and attempt to mark it up 100% to resell it in their shops. Asked what their future business plans were, they mentioned selling new clothing, which can fetch a higher price, as well as upgrading their location their selling location to a place where profits could be significantly higher. Even though they are both only in their early 20s, they each provide significant financial assistance to their families, and this responsibility could be noted in their keen business approach. They would each love to begin saving and investing more of their income, but high costs of living and their familial responsibilities make this goal very difficult.

I have high hopes for Aggrey and Jackline, and am extremely pleased to see how much they support each other. Thanks again for taking so much time to meet with me, and best wish in your future endeavors!

beverly    Feb 13, 2013

Hi Jackline, thank you for your repayments. I have lent out the money again to another Zidisha borrower. Best wishes for your continuing success and happiness.

-Beverly