As a single parent, my primary goal for the upcoming years is to secure my son's education by promptly covering his school fees and providing the necessary educational materials. I firmly believe that investing in his education is a crucial step towards securing our financial future. To realize this objective, I plan to concentrate on my tailoring business, striving to maximize profits by delivering top-notch service to my clients. This way, I aim to proudly create a stable and prosperous future for both my son and myself.

GD has made a significant impact by providing us with unconditional cash transfers. Thanks to these transfers, I have been able to turn my dreams into reality. When GD stepped in, I was facing immense challenges, struggling to support my son with no source of income except for small-scale farming. I had acquired tailoring skills but lacked the resources to start my own business. The GD transfers provided the much-needed boost, allowing me to launch my tailoring business, which is now thriving. This has not only brought me pride as a mother but also ensured that I can provide the best for my son, and for that, I am truly grateful to GD.

I noticed that my child was facing challenges in the public school he used to attend, primarily because it was underperforming. The main reason he was enrolled there was due to the free education it offered, as I lacked the financial means to send him to a better school. However, upon receiving the transfers, I made a deliberate decision to invest in his education. I designated $100 to cover his school fees and allocated an additional $50 to purchase a new uniform. This ensured a fresh start in a more reputable school. Since this transition, I have witnessed a remarkable improvement in my child's academic performance, and I'm genuinely thankful to GD for providing me with this opportunity. Additionally, I initially kick-started a tailoring business in our community with the first transfer. With the second transfer of funds, I wisely invested $150 in materials, expanding my sales and customer orders. This strategic move significantly boosted my income, with earnings ranging from $10 to $40, marking a substantial improvement from the initial $5 weekly. To further secure my family's well-being, I utilized the remaining funds to purchase food, ensuring my son and I have a sufficient supply to tide us over while waiting for the harvest from my half-acre maize farm.

My phone was off when the transfers arrived. I was in town at the time and had left my phone charging at home. The first transfer was officially confirmed to me by the people I met. At the time, I had to ask the mobile money agent for the Till number, which I later used to withdraw after confirming my receipt at home. When I returned to the shopping center the next day, I was very excited to collect the money.

The most significant change in my daily life has been the purchase of a new tailoring machine, which has provided a sustainable source of income for my family of two. Starting my own business was a dream that became a reality thanks to GiveDirectly's support. Despite the fact that I do not have enough space to set it up, I am grateful that the work has come from the shared space in my friend's shop.

I completed the tailoring course a year ago and have been working on casual jobs in my friend's tailoring shop ever since because I could not afford a tailoring machine. After receiving the first transfer, I decided to purchase one for $150, which I am currently using. Even though I have not found a strategic location for my own shop, I am grateful that my friend still accommodates me in her shop while I work independently and earn a living. I also spent $180 on a heifer, which I hope will aid in milk production in the future. I had been purchasing milk for my family of two, which was very expensive because I did not have a reliable source of income. In addition, I saved the remaining funds, which helped me purchase more goods for my business, such as fabrics and threads.