Previously, Lucy had a business with a good location but poor inventory. We turned her stand into one of the most popular clothing shops in Kwangware slum. She sells knew clothes for children, traditional African dresses, and other woman's clothing. Including women's undergarments, which I think Wyclef had a little too much fun shopping for. Her business is doing well and she sells from sunrise to well past sunset. She has already had to return to the market during the first week to restock on many of her items. She never misses the opportunity to harass us as we pass by saying, "Panties? You buy Panties Bill? Keyur? Wyclef? Evans?". Of coarse her stand is located on the main road of the slum, so comedian Lucy always gets a few laughs- even if the laughs are from children high on glue.
Joseline has saved over 2,500 Ksh (about $30 US) in the first week! She also is one of the most high spirited, delightful people we have ever met. Every-time we come check on her business we want to just sit and hang out with her. She sells a variety of vegetables, as I am sure you can see. She has followed our savings and business expansion expansion plan perfectly. It has really proven to be successful for her. Her stand is on a very heavily traveled road in Dagoretti Corner. Foot traffic is especially high in the evenings, which you can find Joseline out selling until 10PM. Grab some tomatoes if you get a chance and support a wonderful lady.
Meet Agnus. She is HIV+, like everyone we start businesses for, but she is much younger than the field. She really seems to have an eye for fashion so she is selling second hand clothing. The brands and style of clothing that she has been able to find at the second hand clothes market in Gikumba is quite impressive (Ann Taylor, Hugo Boss, etc). Name brands that we know from adds in magazines, not by the tags on our shirts. She sold over half of her inventory in the first two days and saved 2,000 Ksh during the first week. This is about 30% of the money in which her business took to start. Just think about that for a minute. If a business start up cost in the US was X and you were able to save 30% of X during the first week- you would soon wake up from the dream or your last name is Gates. Agnus is taking her oldest child, a 5 year old little boy, to enroll in school next week. Her business has allowed her to afford her child's education. This strikes a special place in our hearts and it all is made possible because of your willingness to fund a business for a less fortunate person.
Velma has taken up a fish business. She has been ill so her stand is located close to her house. This has allowed her to earn income even while she is ill because neighbors are able to look after her inventory. This is a common occurrence in slum areas. If someone wants to buy something from a stand that is vacant, the neighbor of the stand will sell the items for the business owner. Everyone also knows the price of goods on the street. This is a positive thing in this instance but makes increasing prices of goods impossible. Anyway, Velma has already saved a good deal of money and has set aside her house rent in the first ten days. We look forward to seeing Velma get better and continue to run her successful fish business.
Meet Ms.Philus. We found Philus selling managu(a vegetable) out in front of Christine's Chips stand. After we found out that she was also HIV+, we wanted to help her get a proper business since we knew the work ethic was already there. She only pays $12.50 a month for rent and her children go to city council school (Public school), therefore, her cost of living is very low. We knew if she just had more inventory and a proper stand she would succeed wonderfully. It has proven to be true. She is always at her stand- any time of day that we pass by. Philus is the mother to 7 children (one of which recently passed away). She has also saved a good amount which is impressive with 6 kids to support.
Walk along the main road in Ngando and you will find Ruth out at her stand selling peanuts, popcorn, and small fish. Ruth, a timid lady, has really turned into a business lady. At first she seemed like she would be a pushover for customers, but now she is determined to save and make herself as much profit as possible. She is the only one that sells popcorn in the area, and to our surprise it has brought her a lot of profit. We added popcorn in at the end because she was under budget. Her CD4 was 30 at one point - dangerously low. It is now up at 370 and she is feeling well. She has turned her health and life around for the better.
Monica, the sweet potato queen, has been one of our biggest success stories. She seems to always be smiling and joking with us. Monica lives to save. She loves presenting her deposit slips to us, ranging from 500-2000 ksh ($6.25-$25). She is on a very busy road, especially in the evening. As you can see she already has bought herself another grill so she can cook more goods at the same time. Monica has really had the right attitude throughout and it is really paying off. We wish her nothing but the best.
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