Bidala Hasani Mwakuku

Bidala Hasani Mwakuku is a 46-year-old businesswoman. She is married and has four dependants. All of her children are in school. Her husband, who is a Madrasa (Muslim classes) teacher, helps to pay for the family's expenses with the little income he earns working at the school. Bidala dropped out of primary school when her parents became unable to pay the fees. After many years of working and learning from her mother, a fish monger, Bidala started a small-scale food vending business. She specializes in preparing and cooking fish which she then sells in the highly populated town of Kongowea on the northern coast of Kenya. Through her business, Bidala is able to cater for her family's needs; however, she has little money left to invest in further business expansion. In her work, Bidala has faced many difficulties, such as the increase in the cost of transportation from Kongowea to the fish market, the increase in the municipal council fee, the lack of a good storage facility, and the frequent defaulting by customers who eat on credit. However, she has been able to sustain her business. Now, Bidala is requesting a loan of US$825 which will be spent as follows: US$200 to add to the stock, US$400 to purchase two cooler boxes, US$100 to construct a better stand to serve her customers, US$50 to pay for transport, and US$75 to pay for a permit from the municipal council to allow her conduct her business. Bidala hopes that, with the loan, her business will grow and allow her to take better care of her family's needs and for the future of her children. Bidala's dream is to open a small café and to make sure that her children receive good education. She is very hard-working and will be able to repay the loan.

Subscribe