When I started receiving these transfers, I decided to start a side business where I sell showls on order for an extra source of income. Even though I do not earn much from the business, whatever little I earn from it has been able to supplement the salary I earn as a waiter making it easy for me to pay rent and my children's school fees. I have not had any rent-related issues with my landlord ever since because I never fail to pay the rent as I did before when I could not raise the money from my salary alone.

I have been working at a restaurant as a waiter for over a year now and I think it is time for me to quit and branch into self-employment. I have been thinking about this for some time now and even started a part-time business to make the transition easier, but the business has not proven to be as profitable as I thought, so, I have to come up with an alternative plan. I have decided to venture into fish business while still running the current one I do as a side hustle. I have been saving some of my transfers and will continue doing so until I raise the required capital to start off the business, after which I will quit the current job and fully focus on the business.

I received my most recent transfer before I paid my rent for the month which I used part of the money to pay. I then used the rest of the money to pay part of my children's school fees for the term so that they would be allowed to be in school.

In the past before the transfers, I did not have a good income. I would have to depend on the little I get from casual work. Living in an urban setup, I had so many demands that I could not be able to meet with my income. I would be forced to borrow to ensure my needs are met. Sometimes I had so many debts that I could not pay back on my own. I was struggling just to ensure life is moving in my family until I started receiving these transfers which have helped me be financially stable. I have paid all my debts with the transfers. I no longer beg as before.

Currently, I only depend on income from casual work which is not much and very inconsistent. I would want to have a stable income to help me provide for my family needs well and in time. This is why I have decided to focus my next transfers on starting a business. My desire is to have a shoe business but I will see what works out best at the time I want to start the business considering the capital I will have then.

I spent my transfer as fare to attend the burial of my late stepmother who passed on a month ago. I also used part of the transfer to pay for examination fees for my two children who are in primary school. They were approaching the end of year examinations and without paying the money, they would have missed doing their end of year examinations. I decided to pay before they were sent home. The rest of the transfer I gave my grandmother as a gift and used the little remaining to buy food for my family.

My life is currently differently from the way it would have been had I not received the transfer in that I have been able to meet the family's needs with a lot of ease. I am a businesswoman and I sell second-hand clothes. Since I boosted my business and made a few changes, I can see there is a slight growth. Initially, most of my customers used to take clothes on credit. This is one of the reasons I couldn't grow since I couldn't have enough to add new stock. I am happy this is not the case anymore.

other than the clothes business I would wish to start up another business so that I can have an additional source of income. I am still doing my research on the best business to do. Meanwhile, I have started saving money which would help me start the new business. I have noticed that fish can be a lucrative business in this area. I am still learning the nitty-gritty of this business so that it doesn't fail whatsoever. I already have a rough idea of the amount to start up the fish business and I am already working towards it

I have been selling clothes for some time now. It is a good hustle that can sustain someone. Mine was doing well but since it was the only source of income I could squander the profits and at times I was left with very little for bringing a new stock. I didn't have enough stock for a while so when GiveDirectly started sending me the transfers, I usually use part of it to boost the business. A bigger chunk of money goes to the business because it is the main source of income and ones it is well established it will help me achieve other bigger goals. In addition to this I also buy food using the money. It usually comes in handy especially on days that I didn't sell anything at all.

My goal is to acquire and own a stall along Juja road, where I can sell my items. The area along Juja road has good market and will bring me good business.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that my business has improved and in turn my income has increased. My business has enough stock now and I never worry about restocking anymore.

I spent my most recent transfer to expand my business, I have been selling local cultural scarfs known as 'Khanga' for two years now. I hawk these scarfs around Mathare area. I purchase these items from Garrissa Lodge in Eastleigh estate and I hawk them in Mathare. I spent the transfers to invest in this business in order to boost my income and to utilize the money in a manner that can generate more money. I have seen great improvements in my business and I am very grateful to Give Directly.

I was in my rural home when I first received my transfers. I woke up at 7:00 AM on that day and I checked my phone for any missed calls or messages, like I always checked every morning. I saw the Mpesa message and the message from Give Directly that followed and I was very happy as I was very broke and worried about where I would get money to pay for my transport back to Nairobi. I was very excited as I knew I finally had transport back to Nairobi, and also some little money that would sustain me at that time.