My name is Joyce Wanja, I was born in Limuru near the capital city of Nairobi – Kenya. I went to school and later did a course in hairdressing. I got married five years ago and I am a mother of two – one boy and a girl aged four and two years respectively.

I separated with my husband early last year after he became a habitual drunkard and even turned abusive. I left his house with my children and I am their bread winner. I later got a job as a waiter in a local hotel but the pay was too little so I decided to venture into selling (hawking) used clothes business. I started this business in December last year and the income is a bit better that what I was getting in the hotel. I even managed to put my first born to a kindergarten and the little one to a day care center.

I work very hard to make end meet and to provide for my young family. I am also active in my church where I belong to praise and worship team.

I have been selling second hand clothes for a while until a few months ago when I abandoned it due to low profitability. I am currently running a makeshift eatery where I serve food to laborers who mostly work in construction sites here in town.

I like this business because it is more predictable and there is prospects look good. It is a business still at its infancy but I am optimistic it will do well especially with support of my reliable and able partner - Zidisha.

With this loan, I wish to buy a few utensils for to enable me serve my customers better. I will buy 2 large thermos flasks at a total cost of USD 50 and two cooking pots for USD 40. I will use the balance to buy cups and glasses and a few cutlery items such as spoons and folks.

This inventory will enable me to serve my clients more effectively and hopefully help me reach more people. Thank you in advance.