My name is Carolyne Wanjiru. I am 30 years old and a single mother of two children, a boy and a girl, who are eight and three years old. They are both in school. We live in Umoja Estate with my four siblings. As my mother passed away when we were young and our dad was living and working very far away from us, I had to take on the role of a mother when I was only twelve years old. This taught me responsibility at a very young age.

I successfully finished my O-levels. I had started studying psychology in college, but due to financial constrains I wasn't able to finish. I did voluntary counselling test (VCT) and I worked with different organisations sensitizing about H I.V.

Amongst the economic strains in the country due to post-election violence, I decided to venture into business. I opened a salon and a cafe in my home estate. For the last two years, it has been the source of my family income. The business's income has allowed me to pay my family's bills, my children's tuition fees, and other basic needs.

My desire is to be able to go back and finish my psychology course. I am hopeful that Zidisha support will help me to accomplish this goal. All is possible through hard work and having faith in God.

I run a cafeteria at Umoja Estate. I deal with snacks and soft drinks. I started the business because there is always a demand for food. My clients prefer my business because I am able to offer them credit on their purchases until the end of the month. Our prices are highly competitive in the market. The business is profitable because I am able to source goods in the market at a better price than buying at the estate.

The challenges and risks that we face are financial constraints in the daily running of business. When the prices for goods rise in the market, this cost cannot always be passed on to the client, resulting in a decreased profit margin. Our monthly cost is 12,000 KSH. Our profit is 3,000 KSH per month.

If I can secure this loan, I’ll be able to increase the income from my business by being able to purchase and sell increased amounts of stock. I am working hard to get different sources of income: the salon/cafe and now the opportunity to supply clothes for this tender I have been given.

Dear lenders ,I thank you again for your support over the years and its this far we have come.Am kindly requesting to you again that you may support me and my family in raising our third loan.our first and second loan has brought tremendous changes in our lives holistical and I believe even our third loan will be abe to grow now that am a reqistered.Trading with a registered business name,and later in the year will be a registered company.

My budget is $600 will purchase Form one text books,$700will purchase A4 exercise books $200 will purchase pens and pencils and the remaining balance $100 will keep as a saving for a rain day.The above item its a school order that was given to me that am to supply the text books and stationery now the schools have reopen form holidays please support to raise my loan.God bless you all