Entrepreneur
Name
Saum
Member since
June 2014
On-time repayments
84 installments • 52%
About Me
I am Saum Wambui Maina, 31 yrs old and a single mother of two baby girls, aged 3 yrs and 1 yr respectively. I live in Zimmerman, 11 Kilometers away from the Nairobi city center. I have a diploma in Front Office Administration. Currently doing both network marketing and business in large scale, I used part of the first loan I got from Zidisha to secure a small store in Zimmerman where I store my goods awaiting supply. I have been traveling to upcountry in search for fresh green peas and seasonal fruits. During one of my trips to Machakos I fortunately met a group of youth who are into small scale farming. Due to my passion for farming, I did my research of the area and after talking to an agronomist I was advised that they are several cash crops that are doing well in this area. i.e Capsicums, Watermelons, Onions and Tomatoes.
My Business
My Fresh Green Peas supply business has grown and I now have weekly orders from fast food restaurants in Zimmerman, I also ventured into seasonal fruits especially oranges from Machakos, hence I travel to upcountry at least twice in a week in order to meet the demand. With the profit I have been making in my business I managed to lease 1 &1/2 acres piece of land at $136.36 per year in Machakos at a place called Wamunyu along River Athi , I have cultivated the land and I got a shamba boy who is taking care of the farm. I also do Network Marketing as a part timer with Social Biz Connect (Network Marketing Company) based in Nairobi. Below is the link with more details; www.socialbizconnect.com/invite/goeuro.
Having lost my Parents at a tender age, I found it important to join a sustainability team ‘The Green Team’ and we make a point to visiting the less fortunate in different children’s home at every first Saturday of the month.
Loan Proposal
When i get this loan, My plan is to expand my business and possibly open a store in Zimmerman, so that i can sell in bulk and meet the demand. I'll also be able to go to the farmers directly and purchase at a competitive price. Currently a bug of fresh green pease is going for USD36 selling price. If i can afford to go to the farmers directly, i will procure the same at USD24 per bag. Since i have a ready market, i'm able to sell at least 4 bags in a weeks time, hence in a months time i'll have made a profit of USD192. This will help me sustain my family and take my 3 yrs old daughter to school by the beginning of next term.
As my business grows;(a) My short term plan is to approach institutions like, schools, Hospitals and Hotels, get a supplying tender that will boost me to (b) My long term plan, to lease a peace of land and do small scale farming. Thanks to Zidisha.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$150.00
Date disbursed
Jul 1, 2014
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
7 weeks
Other loans
Lenders
Belfast, United Kingdom
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