When Dorcas first walked into the Women Business Hub orientation, she carried more than just hope—she carried the weight of responsibility. With two young children depending on her, and a dream of running her own shop, the Ksh 50,000 loan was more than money; it was a lifeline.
She remembers the first day vividly: sitting in the
financial literacy session, learning how to budget and save. Signing the loan
agreement felt like signing a promise to her children—that life would change.
With her first tranche of Ksh 15,000, Dorcas stocked sugar, soap, and
maize flour. Each sale was a step closer to dignity.
Within weeks, she was repaying faithfully. But more
importantly, she was proving to herself that she could manage credit
responsibly. When she qualified for the second tranche, Dorcas expanded
into farming inputs. Neighbors began to rely on her shop not just for household
goods, but for seeds and fertilizer that sustained their families.
Her progress report wasn’t just numbers—it was a
story of resilience. She showed mentors her ledger, her savings contributions,
and her growing customer base. By the time she received the final tranche of
Ksh 20,000, Dorcas had doubled her stock, negotiated better supplier
prices, and built a business that was no longer fragile, but thriving.
Today, Dorcas has cleared her loan. She stands
eligible for a larger credit line, but more importantly, she stands taller in
her community. Her children’s school fees are paid on time. Her Neighbors see
her as a role model. And donors can see in her story the power of structured
support: a staircase of empowerment where each step is earned, and each
milestone celebrated.
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