I am a first born in a family of three. At the age of five, my parents handed me over to my dad's twin brother whose wife could not not bear him any children. My life was sweet until my uncle decided to remarry six years later. Life became so miserable, I went to school hungry, slept hungry, dropped in performance and finally got withdrawn. I managed, however, to sit for my KCPE and got good grades to proceed to secondary school and later to college. However this experience gave me a sense of independence. Today, together with two other friends, we have embarked on assisting kids with special needs in my home village primary school. I feel this is one way of giving back to the community.

I am married and a mother of two kids, one a sixteen year old girl who aspires to be a marine pilot. She is in form four. I pray for her dream to come true. My seven year old son is still young to fully know what he would like to be, but he has a liking of what his dad does in the construction industry.

After a stint in employment, I decided to have a hand in business. I started with a welding workshop but it being male dominated and with no prior knowledge, it became very challenging. I therefore decided to open up a business in which I would have full control and therefore I opened a boutique five years ago.

I deal with ladies' and children's wear as this does well all season. Women are impulse buyers, and will always squeeze a coin when they see something they feel is pleasing to them. Women, too, like to shop for their kids. Kids outgrow their clothes fast, hence they need to replenish their wears.

My main costs are on stock, rent, licences, electricity and transport. However, the sales are enough to sustain the expenses, replenish stock and do some savings that have seen me improve on my house and save some money for any eventualities. Luckily, my husband too supports me in some projects so I don't have to over-commit my business.

Granted the loan, I intend to purchase a guillotine blade worth of 100 dollars, a book binding machine and pagination machine worth of 100 dollars and screen printing machine valued at 100 dollars. This machines will enable me produce simple books like invoices, cash sales, posters and banners. This will increase my cash flow and therefore not over stretching the clothing business.

I also wish to replenish stock and especially trench coats and sweaters, shawls and kikoi, and ladies and children boots. This is due to the prolonged rains and cold and therefore the sales will be fast. My budget on the named items is 500 dollars. Am certain that if I have able stock my sales will shoot as this is peak season.