"I want to be like Bill Gates." - Babacar Sall

I had the pleasure of meeting with Mr. Cheikh Mountaga Sall, who also goes by Babacar. He is a relatively new member here at Zidisha, only receiving his first loan in March. But he has quickly seen the benefits of Zidisha loans. He has recently joined Zidisha as Coach Bénévole and recommended Zidisha to several members in his community.

Mr. Sall has been in his current business now for over a year, commencing activities in April 2013. He imports cosmetic products directly from the United States for resale in his neighborhood. He buys products such as Dove soap, Crest and Colgate toothpastes, Listerine mouth wash, perfumes, and other American products. He orders one or two boxes of products each month, and he averages between 60,000 XOF to 75,000 XOF profit on each box. The revenue is then directed towards family expenditures or reinvested in his business.

Right now Mr. Sall sells his products from home or goes to clients' houses. Even though his activities are currently small in scale, Mr. Sall dreams to one day be able to fill a large boutique with products. He knows there is a large demand for high-quality American products, and the revenue from his boutique would allow him to invest in other revenue-generating activities as well. "I want to be like Bill Gates. I want to be the big man in the world," said Mr. Sall.

Solidarity and community are important aspects of Senegalese culture. Everything from food to drinking cups are shared among family members and strangers. It is also not uncommon to find many members  of the family living in one household. Money is also not kept for oneself but is shared among the family. For this reason, Mr. Sall stated that he often sells his products on credit, asking his customers to pay two weeks after he distributes his goods.

Mr. Sall is very passionate about his business and has great ambition. He enjoys greatly what he does because he has been able to apply his university studies in his work. It has also enabled him to remain autonomous, not having to work for someone else. I had a pleasant visit today with Mr. Sall, and I only hope I have the pleasure to return to see the progress of his activities.

Making others dreams come true...little by little

It is true that Zidisha's loans start off small. What can we say, we are a community based in confidence. If you repay your loan on time, your loan size will grow progressiely with each loan. Over the course of the last three days, I have had the opportunity to witness the beginning of financement for three entrepreneur's existing businesses.

Pauline Carvalho has a small hairdressing salon in front of her home close to Sicap Rue 10, Dakar. She is the hardworking mother of five children. She is asking for a loan to expand her already existing salon by adding more cosmetics to create more revenue. Her future plans include expanding her salon to be able to employ other hairdressers in her salon.

 

Ndeye Arame Gueye is the daughter of Pauline. She started her tailor business just a little over a year ago, during April 2013. She works currently for local cell phone company but started her own business in order to gain independence. Even though now her shop is at home, she has big plans not only to have her own boutique one day but she wishes to travel nationally and internationally to model her clothing designs.

 

Cheikh Gueye has had his business in computers for over five years. He sells new and used cell phones as well as repairs computers. Yesterday we met with him in his in-home office to complete his profile and post his loan application. One day, he wishes to have his own space for his business and hopes to create employment for others as well.

I am thankful that I have had the opportunity to meet with so many different entrepreneurs . It is truly inspirational to see their determination and their ambition to make their dreams into a reality. I only hope I have the chance one day to return and see how their businesses have progressed.

Attaya

At Zidisha Senegal, we work hard to bring our clients the best service that we can. Sometimes we need to rest with friends, enjoy some good conversation, and drink some attaya. Attaya has to be one of my favorite pastimes in Senegal. It is a tea that is made in three stages, each one getting progressively sweeter by adding more sugar. After a late lunch, it is common to see people brewing attaya in their small tea pots to share with friends and family. I especially like sharing attaya with family and good friends.

Client Spotlight: Andre Mbar Tine

Here is the story I wrote about our client, Andre Mbar Tine, in Dakar:

Dear Lenders,

My name is Paige Klunk, and I am currently a Client Relationship Manager in Dakar. I met with Andre last week in his home in Parcelles Assaines. Andre has been a member of Zidisha for three years. He is currently repaying his second loan and serves as a Coach Bénévole. He lives in Parcelles Assaines Unité 16 with his wife and son.

Andre works in the business of selling alcohol from his home. He knows red wine is undoubtedly the most popular with the Senegalese. He often imports red wine from Guinea Bissau because it is less expensive.  He imports five cartons of red wine at a time which comes with twelve bottles in a carton. Andre pays 15,000 XOF for the carton plus the transportation, which is roughly 3,500 XOF. The total cost is for each carton is 18,500 XOF. If the carton arrives safely in Dakar, he can resell each bottle for 2,000 XOF. Each carton he sells for a total of 24,000 XOF. Andre says the returns are minimal right now but he is optimistic with his future endeavors.

Andre is currently in the process of obtaining a license to sell liquor. Even though it is a lengthy process, he affirms that in time he will reap from the benefits. After obtaining the license, he is planning to open a boutique nearby his home. Once he opens the boutique, he knows his revenues will increase. His plans do not stop with having his own boutique, he also wishes to start his own taxi business.

Andre could not say thanks enough for what the Zidisha loan has done for him and his family. Investment in his entrepreneurial activities, Andre explained has allowed him to be able cover family expenditures that they were unable to cover previously. Not only has it increased his family's financial capacity but it has provided Andre with the personal satisfaction of working autonomously. He said he could not praise Zidisha lenders enough for giving him with the opportunity to start his own business and work for himself.

Sincerely,

Paige Klunk

Senegal Client Relationship Manager

Zidisha Inc

Andre sitting in his living room.

Andre's apartment building in Pacelles Assaines Unite 16.