A loan helped buy ladies and men's shoes to sell in my shop.


Doreen's story

I was born in Igoji area of Meru, Eastern Kenya in 1988 to farmer parents. My home district is famous for Kaat cultivation locally known as Miraa farming. Usually this fetches a lot of profit for farmers making the region economically stable. Unfortunately, my parents were both ailing when I was growing up making them unfit for any form of farm work. They were also forced to sell our land in order to afford medical treatment. This is the reason we moved closer to Nairobi city, so that they could make regular trips to hospital. As a first born of 4, I took on many responsibilities at home. This caused me to later perform poorly in school and miss out on tertiary education which is required for white collar jobs in Kenya. My lack of skills training made it difficult to earn money to help support my siblings. Later, I learnt about CAP Youth Empowerment Institute which was starting a training center in Athi River for youth like me. I attended their Roadshows and was later selected to join the Industrial Garment Manufacturing class. While at CAP, I developed a special interest in entrepreneurship which was a cross cutting course for all trainees. Because I had often tried my hand at various small businesses to help my parents, e.g, selling bananas and mangoes, I knew that small business was good for making money. Through financial literacy training offered at CAP, I learnt to save money as I became more involved in small businesses. At that time, I began to ferry clean water to families in the community for which they would pay Ksh. 20 for a 10 liter jerrycan. This boosted my savings. Later, an uncle lent me Ksh. 30,000 which combined with my personal savings, enabled me start my retail shop. Today, the shop has grown from a mere kiosk retailing fewer than 20 items to a well stocked shop with more than 50 items on sale like sugar, flour, bread, soap and candy. I can now help to pay for my younger siblings school fees as well as support myself. My parents still struggle with ill-health but I am able to buy them healthy foods like fruits and legumes to help them too.



Loan details


About Kinanu Retail Shop

Industry: Retail
Years in operation: 1 year - 3 years


Lenders and lending teams



Loan details