Two years ago, I started constructing a latrine for my family, but it stalled halfway due to financial constraints. As a result, I have been using my neighbor’s latrine. Now that I have some anticipated transfers coming in, I plan to spend KES 10000 to complete our latrine, which will be a huge relief for us. I also intend to spend KES 70000 in repairing my retail shop and restocking it, as I had previously shut it down for lack of finances. I am excited about this opportunity, as it means my family of five will have an additional source of income.

In July 2024, I had to close down my tailoring business, which I had operated for 14 years. It was not my choice, but a lack of finances forced my hand. I had been running this business alongside quarrying stones in the village. A neighbor asked me to prepare ballast for him, but whenever I requested payment, he would tell me he was not ready to pay, leaving me waiting. I felt a wave of relief when he finally paid back all my dues four months ago. I used that money to buy food for my family of seven. It was a small blessing amid the struggles.

I am currently facing a challenge in providing for my family of seven. I work as a house manager for a neighbor, earning KES 4000 a month. While I use this money to buy food, it is often not enough. Sometimes, I have to take goods on credit from shops, hoping my husband can repay them through his driving job. With schools closing soon, I am worried because I will have to pause my job since my employer will be home full-time. This adds even more stress to an already difficult situation because there will be no salary for those days. For this period , I will reinvest in my tailoring business so as to earn an income from repairing clothes.