Am Veronicah Mumbua Kyalo and aged 50 years. My parent is John Muinde Musau. My mother Mrs. Philomena Mbithe Muinde died in the year 2008. We are a family of 9. I am the first born in the family and I take care of my father and our young 8 siblings. I come from Machakos county. I am married and blessed with two Children. Our life is very challenging because of the support to be given to our nuclear family and the extended families. I work in an office as a clerk. I came to think about business because the salary is not enough with the many problems of school fees etc. I started with Poultry farming & Pig farming which never succeeded. Last month I started selling second hand clothes. The profit I get I use part of it for our needs and the rest goes back to the business. This has kept us going up to now.

The unique thing about land in Machakos is very fertile but no rains. With time when I get money I wish to have a borehole and do irrigation. My children want to do farming when they grow up.

I am a Christian and during free time I like singing and reading the bible.

I sell second hand clothes because new clothes are very expensive to afford. This is because they are in high demand. A bale of second hand clothes cost about Kshs. 20,000.00 ($215) – 25,000.00 ($263) depending with the feminine and you can get about 160 skirts or 160 Jean Trousers. Last week I started selling inner wares and shoes.

I get profit of about 50% which helps us in our daily expenses and also reinvest in the business. After selling the first bale I managed to construct a small kiosk outside a house as I can’t afford to pay rent for a shop.

Loan Proposal

Once I get the loan I intent to use and bring in more clothes of existing stock and also start selling beauty products. This is because my business has not yet been able to supply all the varieties of second hand clothes and thus not yet met the high demand.. The place has many residential houses so the market for clothes is already there. I plan to rent a shop and employ an attendant to assist in sales. When I buy variety of clothes and beauty products I will manage to save from the profit. As there are so many poor people in our country I will introduce them to Zidisha so that they also get loans and create employment.

I will buy a bale of Treach Coats, Children Clothes, Duvets, Blankets, Knit School

Sweaters, School Bags and Electronic Sewing Machine which will cost US$725.00

I will benefit alot because I will employ someone to make the school bags with the

Electronic Sewing Machine, I will be able to repay the loan and will also have money

for my family upkeep.

I expect a profit of 50%.