Marites has invested her loan money into developing her own internet café business and also in her butchers' stall in the local market. Marites opened the internet café itself three years ago, and in 2012 she took out her first Lendwithcare loan which has gone towards developing her internet business, including a ‘videoke’ (karaoke) machine, a very popular pastime in the Philippines. Starting her own business has had a very positive impact on Marites’ life. Before, she had a small amount of money from her husband, but only enough to live off. Marites’ internet business now sufficiently supplements her income and including the money from her husband and her butcher’s stall, Marites makes a decent monthly income. She reports: “If ever my allotment from my husband is delayed, the loans provided security for me to run my business. I feel more independent, before, I was totally dependent on him. It is a big help to be able to run my own businesses. Next year, I want to open my own restaurant too. I am more or less secure now. I am very proud and very happy I have built everything from nothing.