Two high-speed desktop computers for my cybercafé
Wilberforce
Nairobi, Kenya
100% repaid
Entrepreneur
Name
Wilberforce
Member since
March 2020
On-time repayments
136 installments • 30%
About Me
My name is Wilberforce Okelo, and I was brought up in a very poor background, raised by my grandparents, and that made me whom I am today.
As for my biological parents, they could not live together due to constant wrangles, hence their separation when I was only five.
In 2006, when I was fourteen, my mother unfortunately passed away from meningitis. That was during the time when she had reconciled with my father after nine years of separation.
Due to my hard-working nature and perseverence in school, I managed to sit for my Kenyan Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE) exams, in 2006, scoring 304/500. Through hardship, I also managed to sit for my Kenyan Certificate of Secondary Education (KCSE) exams, in 2010, and earned a C+.
Raising the school fees was an uphill battle for my father. He was jobless and sometimes opted to do manual labor, in which he earned very little. Therefore, he used to live from hand to mouth, due to hard economic times during those days.
This motivated me to work even harder in school, and I really challenged myself, so that one day I would open my own business and start supporting my father and some of the community at large.
My desire for education did not end after high school, though, so I got trained in computer applications (certificate level).
Then, I began working as a casual labourer in a private firm, and I started collecting the capital needed for my dream business. However, it was never enough, hence my looking for more funding.
I am blessed to have two adopted orphans. Currently, in 2020, they are ages 10 and 14.
I adopted them in 2019. They both rely on me for all of their basic needs.
My unique hobby is that I build electronics (for example, robots).
My Business
My business is a sole proprietorship. I provide cybercafé services, electronics, and related online content as per the clients' needs/demands.
I have been doing this business since 2018.
Currently, in 2020, my typical cost is about Ksh. 78,000, and I expect my profit to be about Ksh. 50,000. I will use my profit to support the two orphans I adopted, and to help fund business projects for the less-fortunate in society.
To start an Internet café, all I needed were the following items:
• Client computers
• Internet connection (ADSL, Cable, etc.)
• Networking hardware
• Server computer that controls the client computers
My father once told me that the secret to succeeding in this business lies in diversification. Gone are the days when customers seeking Internet services were the backbone of cybercafé firms. Therefore, I am intending to add a wide array of services to my cybercafé, in order to attract many more customers, walk-ins and others.
Some examples of add-on services include:
• Computer Training (particularly in rural areas)
• Graphic Design and Printing of Promotional Materials
• Image Printing (from clients' mobile phones and memory cards)
• Instant Passport Photo-taking and Printing
• I.T. Services
• Mobile-Money Agencies
- (for Airtel Money, Cooperative Bank, Equity Bank, KCB Bank, M-Pesa, etc.)
• Photocopying
• Snacks and Soft Drinks
• Typing and Proofreading
• Video Games
A well-run cybercafé, with at least four computers, and with added services (such as those listed above), can rake in up to Ksh. 750,000 per year. So, I am really yearning for funding.
Loan Proposal
I would use the loan to purchase two high-speed computers for my cybercafé, and I also would invest in CCTV surveillance of my clients. This even could boost my clients' morale (knowing that crime is being prevented) and they probably would be more likely to come in again and again. I expect my profit margin to increase by at least 10%.
Income Source
Risk & Revenue Information: Due to the COVID-19 coronavirus pandemic, during which physical-distancing rules are in place, a cybercafé business is a God-sent blessing. Many individuals and companies have opted to use online means as a way of making things happen. Be it browsing for fun, or video conferencing, or designing a website and running an online business, all of these things can be done at a cybercafé (with desks spaced apart). Therefore, repaying the loan on time would be no big deal.
✎ ✎ ✎
EDITOR'S NOTES:
1.) For anyone who may not yet know this, please be aware that although English is an official language in many African countries, English usually *isn't* the first language of
most people in Africa; rather, a tribal language (or two or three or more) usually is/are
the first language(s).
2.) The "Risk & Revenue Information" is submitted separately and, therefore,
doesn't appear in the "Show original English" section, below:
About Me
They call me Wilberforce Okelo. Am 28years old and partially orphan. I was brought up in a very poor background. And I was raised up by my grandparents and that made me whom I am today. As to my biological parents, they could not live together due to constant wrangles hence their separation while I was some five years old. Unfortunately, my mum died of meningitis in the year 2006 while I was 14years and it was the time she had reconciled with my dad after 9years of separation. My perseverance and hard-working nature in school, had me sit my KCPE in 2006 and scored 304/500 and KCSE in the year 2010 through hardship as raising the school fee was an uphill for my dad, he was jobless and sometimes opted to do manual which he earned peanuts. That's to say, my dad used to live from hand to mouth due to hard economic times during those days. This motivated me to work even harder in school, and I really challenged myself that one day I will open my own business and start supporting my parent and the community at large. Anyway, I managed to score a C+ in my KCSE, and due to financial constraints, I could not make it to college. So my desire for education, actually could not end there, I was trained in computer applications, Certificate level. From there, it's when I started working as a casual labourer in a Private firm, as I collected the capital for my dream business but it was never enough thus looking for more funding. And am blessed to have two adopted orphans, aged 10 and 14, and they all rely on me for basic needs. My unique hobby was building electronics like robots.
My Business
My business is a sole proprietorship and I deal with Cyber, electronics and online related contents as per the client's demands. I have been doing this business for the last 2years. My typical cost is Ksh. 78,000. And I expect my profits to run into something to do with Ksh. 50,000. I gonna use my profits to support the two orphans I adopted some eight-month ago and to fund the business projects for the less fortunate in society.
And to start this Internet Cafe business, all I needed was:
• Internet connection (ADSL, Cable etc.),
• Client computers,
• Server computer that controls the clients
• Networking hardware
And my dad once told me the secret to succeeding in this business lies in diversification. Gone are the days when customers seeking internet services were the backbone of cybercafe firms. I consider adding a wide host of services to my cyber in order to attract many walk-in customers. Some examples of these add-on businesses include:
Mobile money agency outlet (M-Pesa, Airtel Money, Equity, KCB and Cooperative Bank agencies don’t disappoint).
Video games outlet
Typing and proof-reading services
Instant passport photo taking and printing services
Printing images from clients mobile phones and memory cards
Photocopy services
Snacks and soft drinks
Graphic design and printing of promotional materials
IT services
Computer training services (particularly in the rural areas)
A well run cyber cafe with at least 4 computers and an added service like M-Pesa, graphic design, web design, eCommerce, photocopy services etc can rake in up to Ksh750,000 per year. So am really yearning for funding.
Loan Proposal
I will use the loan to purchase two high-speed computers for my cyber cafe and also invest in CCTV surveillance of my clients. This will even boost my clients' morale in coming again and again. I expect it to increase my profit margin by 10%.
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Loan Info
Project Type
Classic Loan
Disbursed amount
$800.00
Date disbursed
Jun 30, 2020
Repayment status
On Time
Projected term
2 months
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Isak Maaseide Sep 9, 2020
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