“I am Irene Ziro and I live in Bore, Kenya. I am a young mother. I married early because, back at home, having enough to eat was a problem and school was a dream – I was only able to complete my primary education. 

“I came to realise that Bore, where I live now, is a blessed place. Blessed in the sense that Arsenal bought land to grow forests. That meant work opportunities even to the less privileged people like me. I could not do much with paper work but with my hands I could work and make a living. I was one of the beneficiaries of this project because I got the opportunity to work at the farm. 

“I am very ambitious. I knew it was difficult to secure employment but I knew I could do something meaningful in business. I had always wanted to do something for myself and for my two sons, and to offer support to my husband. He is a mechanic at a small garage. I had a deep conviction in my heart if only I get empowered to start, then I would never be the same again. 

“The people of Bore Green Umbrella were hiring casuals to work at the Arsenal farm. I got a job and I worked hard. When I thought I had enough cash, I went to buy my first stock of second-hand baby clothes and accessories. I had done a quick feasibility study and I had seen a gap in the market. I rented a room at first, but later on, with the profit I made, I was able to set up a stall. 

“As time went on my business was doing well and I advanced from second-hand to brand new baby clothes and accessories. This business is paying because babies are being born every other day. I am now a businesswoman operating my own shop and I know in time I will attain my financial freedom – and it’s all thanks to The Arsenal Forest project that gave me wings to fly.”