Sanza Plus Group

In this Group:
Claude Khonde, Mabi Makuala, Brigitte Kitembo, Godée Mujinga, Serge Mulamba, Léonnie Bukusu, Léontine Kapinga, Marie Koma, Eugénie Sokolo, Hélène Nsimba, Elisée Beya, Gédéon Ngeleka, Rose Lubuya, Augustine Nsiala, Julienne Nzumba, Tshiyamba Walondji, Tshikulu Kalonji, Pauline Mayingi, Marie Masengu, Lajoie Metha, Marie Baya, Iskam Kadima, Aimé Shenkuku

Claude Khonde is a career photographer. He is best known and acknowledged in his district, located in northern Kinshasa, for his beautiful photos. He started his career in 1988 with a camera he had bought for $10. From 1988-1997, the profits realized from photography helped him to prosper and to support him in secondary school, which he completed successfully. In 1997, with his first camera now old, Claude bought a new one worth $80, thanks to accumulated profits and some savings. From 1997-2006, his business prospered until his sales figures reached a total of $500. Monetary depreciation, as well as the rise in market prices, caused by the war in the east of the Republic of the Congo, destabilized his business during this period of time.

In 2008, Claude decided to join a HOPE RDC group named “Sanza Plus” which means “Moon”, with the goal of opening a photographic lab one day for the photographers in his area. He is a loyal client who has had several loans with HOPE RDC and who has repaid all of them completely and on time. Given his growing number of customers, the last loan he received this June enabled him to buy some film for bolstering his inventory and some batteries to sell in order to grow his profits. He currently has $150 in capital, and his business generates for him a profit of $25 a week.

Claude was married in 2007. He is the father of two children, ages 4 months and 2 years old.

Translated from French by Dan Kuey, Kiva Volunteer

Claude Khonde est photographe de carrière. Il est mieux connu et reconnu dans son quartier situé au nord de Kinshasa par ses belles photos. Il a commencé sa carrière en 1988 avec un appareil qu’il avait acheté à $10. De 1988 – 1997, les bénéfices réalisés dans la photographie l’ont aidé à prospérer et à supporter ses études secondaires qu’il a terminées avec succès. En 1997, le premier appareil devenu vieux, Claude a acheté un nouvel appareil de valeur de $80 grâce aux bénéfices accumulés et aux épargnes. De 1997 – 2006, son affaire a prospéré jusqu’à totaliser un chiffre d’affaire de plus de $500. La dépréciation monétaire ainsi que la hausse des prix sur le marché, causées par la guerre de l’est de la RDC la déstabilise pendant cette période. En 2008, Claude décide d’intégrer un des groupes de Hope RDC dénommé « Sanza Plus » qui signifie « Lune » en français, dans le but d’ouvrir un jour un laboratoire photographique pour les photographes de son quartier et des alentours. Il est client fidèle qui a obtenu plusieurs prêts de Hope RDC et les a tous remboursés totalement et à temps. Vu le nombre croissant de ses clients, le dernier crédit qu’il a reçu ce mois de juin, lui a permis d’acheter des films pour renforcer le stock et des piles à revendre afin d’accroitre le bénéfice. Son capital actuel est de $150 et son activité lui génère un bénéfice de $25 par semaine. Claude s’est marié en 2007, Il est père de 2 enfants âgés de 4 mois à 2 ans.


About Group Loans
In a group loan, each member of the group receives an individual loan but is part of a group of individuals bound by a group guarantee. Under this arrangement, each member of the group supports one another and is responsible for paying back the loans of their fellow group members if someone is delinquent or defaults. Learn more

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