By Betsy Ramser Jaime
Isaac Gyapong is an avid learner. Born and raised in Ghana, he was fortunate to receive an education all the way through the high school level, even earning a scholarship for his high school studies. Upon graduation, he attended the University of Cape Coast where he studied Geography and Sociology. This earned him a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences.
Growing up, he was the youngest child in a family of all sons. He shares that his favorite game is football and he always enjoys reading when he has some free time. His hometown of Tanoboase is known as a farming community and the most common crops are tomatoes, maize, cashews, and mango’s.
Right now, Isaac has multiple sources of income as he is currently employed as a teacher with the Ghana Education Service, and has a supermarket business where he sells all kinds of goods to his community members. Because of this income he is able to help support both his family and also help out the community as well. Through his generosity, he has helped abandoned children by supporting them to receive daily meals and helping them register for health insurance. He shares, ‘It is my hope to establish an Orphanage house in the future to help children who don’t have caretakers in my community.’
He’s also planning for the future as his latest venture is taking him back to his Tanoboase roots, in farming. He’s begun planting both cashews and mangos and is excited to reap the benefits in the next few years!
Since 2016, Zidisha has played a major role in Isaac’s life in pursuing his education. With 6 successful Zidisha funded loans, he has completed his education all the way through the Master’s level and is now on his way to a PhD.
In 2016, Isaac raised 2 Zidisha funded loans, in May and in September for $200 and $384. For Isaac, these loans allowed him to pay his university tuition fees which set him on the path towards being certified to teach.
By 2017, Isaac was ready to start his Master’s of Philosophy studies at the University of Cape coast! Combined with his own savings, Isaac raised 2 Zidisha funded loans to pay his tuition for the year and purchase school books. The first loan was for $592 in February and the second was later that year in October where he raised, $1,179. For Isaac, these loans and education will really make a difference in his future job prospects as he shares, ‘If I finish this program I will acquire a higher degree which will help me to get a higher rank in the workplace in the future.’
On October 17, Isaac couldn’t wait to update his lenders as he shared, ‘God richly bless all my Lenders for such a wonderful contribution towards my education. Due to your great support it has left me with only one semester for me to acquire my professional Certificate in Education. I will soon become a professional teacher. Thank you and God bless you all once again.’
As Isaac continued his Master’s studies in 2018, his Zidisha supporters were there to help him with funding. A $1,735 loan in May 2018 allowed him to continue his studies as he worked hard to complete his thesis.
Upon receiving his loan in May, Isaac expressed his gratitude and appreciation for each of his Zidisha supporters. He said, ‘Dear Lender’s in fact you have done an amazing thing in my life. I will never forget this in life. Zidisha is a great community indeed. Only words cannot express my sincere thanks to my lenders, I wish I could send a video of how happy I am and the kind of prayers I am saying upon all your lives. May the Almighty God reward you all for such a wonderful support you have done in my life. The loan has really improved my life.’
Most recently, in January 2019, Isaac shared his new dream and vision with lenders, ‘Dear Lenders, I really appreciate your support during my previous loan. I have now been awarded with a Master of Philosophy Degree (MPhil) at the University of Education Winneba, Ghana. My aim is to become a lecturer one day at University but the requirement to become a lecturer is a Doctorate Degree (PhD). I therefore want your full support financially to help me push forward to acquire my PhD degree to accomplish my dream. I will use this loan to pay my fees ($2000) and buy all the necessary materials that will help me in this Program. I will be very grateful if you could support me in this course. Thank you all.’ With a loan of $2,763 from lenders, Isaac is well on his way to his doctorate degree.
Would you like to be a change maker in the life of another Zidisha entrepreneur or student? Don’t forget to make your way over to our Browse Projects page to read about our inspiring entrepreneurs!
