Increase operating capital for business of roasting peanuts

George

Muthwani, Kenya

100% paid forward

Entrepreneur

Name

George

Member since

November 2016

On-time repayments

320 installments  •  79%

About Me

My life has been interesting and full of hardships.On finishing my primary school my mum could not get fees to take me to secondary school and she tried her way best to get help. Certainly,she was able to find a school for me at Nairobi by name Aga Khan High. The principal agreed to sponsor my education because he could see my potential. Almost before the end of the year he was transferred and I had a fee balance of USD 240 for third term. Unfortunately I didn't seat for my end of year exam and had to travel in rural area having no more hope.I was then able to work as a heardsmen for a year to raise school fees.I worked for USD7 per month for 9 months.I prayed .Luckily as I was set to go back to school the government introduced free secondary school project but we catered for our food feeding program and development of the school. I then successfully enrolled in a rural secondary school in form two which I ended up finishing and got the government higher education sponsorship where its expected of you to pay a minimum total of USD 300 yearly for four years depending on degree program enrolled.The struggle continued on joining university where I paid school fees for myself by hawking roasted and fried peanuts both cooked from the school hostel. I also worked in a construction company paid USD 3 per day on my free days on class timetables and weekends.I learnt a lot from my hardships .I almost stayed for a year without buying clothes.I had occasions clothes and daily use clothes so that I could look decent.I was lucky enough to get supply contract in local supermarkets. I quit this business after finishing higher education and invested on a long term Retail Shop at a local area which has the capability of operating 24 hrs and have been able to employ two people who work on shifts. Am currently an employee in a cyber security company. It seems impossible until is done. I always feel I have a debt to pay. I need to find a way to be able to help those in need. By inviting trustworthy needy people to Zidisha I will have helped dozen and their families too.

My Business

I currently run different businesses . I have a retail stores dealing with food stuffs and fast food and recently opened a cereal stores and is doing very well. I also sell on both wholesale and retail roasted peanuts and peanut butter from my rental house. I am also working in an IT firm with capability of working 24 hrs on shifts. From my retail stores I can get around USD 1000 after all deductions monthly. From my recently opened cereal stores I can get up to USD 400 after all deductions per month. From my peanuts business I get USD 50 profit Per sales day. From my full employment I am paid senior staff salary which is averagely between USD 1800 to USD 2500 per month. Tax is however taking it's lee way. I use my profits some times as savings, others I pay school fees for my daughters, sometimes pay salaries to my employees and support church activities including tithe and also helping the needy in our society. I now intend to pursue a Master of Science in Cyber Security in United States based university through taking a student loan, scholarship and graduate assistantships. Looking forward for a beautiful future after working in an IT consultant firm for over 6 years.

Project Proposal

Dear Lenders, thank you for funding my previous loan and for the moral support granted so far.

I am back requesting for your support in funding my dream company. My peanut roasting company. I would like to raise money to push my company further on higher hights after operating it as a side hustle for the last 10 years.

Please be part of this new company. I will be branding it and adding operating capital and employees.

Feedback

2

None

None

  • Isabella    Dec 7, 2017

    It all sounds very exciting, George!

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  • Mary    Nov 9, 2017

    George is an excellent Zidisha Borrower. I would recommend lending to any of his loans!

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Project Info

Project Type

Pay It Forward

Disbursed amount

$964.00

Date disbursed

Oct 10, 2021

Backers

RP

Randall Pate

Plymouth, United States

Ask George a question about this project, share news and photos of your own, or send a simple note of thanks or inspiration.

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  • George    Oct 15, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment amount to a manageable value at the moment

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  • George    Oct 6, 2024

    Hi lenders and well wishers,

    I know I have been silent about my education dream but let me break the silence. I went for my F1 visa twice on 31st May and 30th July. My first attempt I had over 10 questions while everyone ahead of me got asked 1 or 2 questions and got denied. I think the visa officer was interested with my case because I had a merit based scholarship. The officer however sounded tired and I was the 2nd person on line since opening. A similar instance happened on my second attempt where the questions where again over 10 and more on the merit based scholarship. All the 20 people ahead of me were denied their visas and this made me forget my graduation date:) . I mentioned October 2016 when I very well know both joining and graduation dates by heart. I messed my second attempt myself as I lost hope with the process. I had taken a student loan(USD 50000) to cater for my living and studying expenses. I do not think this affected me in anyway. I applied for a graduate assistantship and was awarded after series of interviews on 26th August while school reporting date was 22nd August. This would have pushed me as the total award was USD 22000. My total CoA was USD 46001. Unfortunately I couldn't get a visa date for my 3rd attempt though I had paid the fees. The school only has Fall intakes for my course. The process has really drained me both financially and emotionally until I started doubting whether I was ready for it. I still need my masters. I have however taken a break to restrategize and stabilize. Viva! I tried my best on this one! I can't say luck was not on my side. Probably the timing was wrong.

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  • George    Oct 3, 2024

    Adjusting repayment schedule as things are so tough here. Business is reliable but employment is not.

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  • George    Sep 16, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment to cater for unexpected expenses.

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  • George    Sep 1, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment schedule to cater for my monthly expenses

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  • George    Aug 20, 2024

    I am trying to adjust repayment schedule to cater my bills as I moved to a new place after my dream was cut short. However, I have been granted a GA for my studies. Looking forward to the future.

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  • George    Aug 8, 2024

    Hi all, I had stepped out and currently unable to make payments from my mobile network. I am however adjusting to manageable value so it doesn't impact my repayment rate.

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  • George    Jul 25, 2024

    Hi, I am adjusting repayment schedule to cope up with the unfavourable business conditions here.

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  • George    Jul 16, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment schedule to cope up with my month bills.

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  • George    Jul 2, 2024

    Adjusting repayment schedule to cater for due monthly bills.

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  • George    Jun 18, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment to keep up with other monthly bills and cash flow.

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  • George    Jun 6, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment schedule to cater for some end month bills.

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  • George    May 21, 2024

    I am adjusting repayment a little bit as we are experiencing difficulties with customers paying on time for goods delivered.

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  • George    May 5, 2024

    Hello lenders and friends,

    I am confirming I am doing great and I have proceeded to book an appointment.

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  • George    Apr 26, 2024

    Hello Everyone,

    This is to confirm that I received the money.

    As earlier listed. I will be spending the money as shown below. I will keep you posted.

    1. 350USD For Sevis Fees
    2. 185USD For US Visa Fees (Already spend, scheduled for May)
    3. 500USD For Temple University enrollment deposit. (This has been paid too)
    4. 700USD For housing deposit

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  • George    Apr 26, 2024

    Hi Lenders, Backers and Friends,

    I am overwhelmed with joy while thanking you for standing up by myside. I am now very confident about my next step. I will proceed to spend the money as listed on my proposal. I will keep you posted on all my next steps. I also pledge to make all my payments on time as I look forward to study and graduate in 1 year. May God bless all of you.

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  • George    Apr 20, 2024

    The last 2 weeks have been unbearable for me. A severe sickness. I could say it might have been COVID related. Although I did all tests and to the doctors it was a normal cold. For the first time I was coughing. For the first time I took child looking medicine to cure my chest pain. But it is all gone. I thank my employer for giving me time to heal. I thank my wife and daughters for their unending questions about my health. I now resume my duty to continue protecting the nation from hackers. We were hit very hard this week. Equity Bank lost a substantial amount to fraudsters. I received numerous calls. There were panics by my clients all over East Africa. I continue to assure my clients security as the Principal SOC Operations. I am skilled to detect patterns and we have automated fraud detection systems which never leaves any stone unturned. With the technologies like Cynet and Crowdstrike, just to mention a few, nothing goes undetected. I pride myself as the Rules Engineer, and I am a real one, an Ethical Hacker, A forensic investigator and a Certified Chief Information Security Officer. Basically a thief who has turned to be a police officer, hahaha . Trained as a detective, fearless, famously know as olooerik (Oloo Eric), of course for security reasons. The person who shows up and clients get worried about their network security, reasons being a famous incident responder. I now make inpromtu visits to avoid the notion people already have about my appearance at any client site. Saccos saviour, anormaly detective, persistent investigator, a night runner, hackers enemy, reverse engineer, software developer, are all titles I hold. I didn't know a Bsc in Applied Mathematics could take me this far. How about a MS in Information Technology Auditing and Cyber Security? Let's wait and see... The story will continue in 2 years time. Until next time, I am OlooErik. The only person with a single profile picture on all social media platforms.

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  • George    Apr 18, 2024

    Hi lenders, backers and friends,

    I continue to source for funds to be able to achieve my dreams. Please assist me where you can. I am currently in the process of obtaining I-20 so that I can proceed with the next steps.

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  • George    Apr 12, 2024

    I am finally admitted with a merit based scholarship. I remember my lower school motto: HARD WORK PAYS. This is out of my hard work and persistent to acquire my masters degree.

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  • George    Apr 12, 2024

    Hello lenders and friends,

    I am indebted to you all for the support so far since I joined Zidisha in 2016. I have had a tremendous growth to even own lands(3 plots so far worthy at least 1000USD each). I continue to trust on the process to make the future of my family bright. This has been possible through your support and my hard work as I repay the loans while spending my monthly wage to invest on these properties.

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