My goals are to get a job and keep paying my kids' school fees now that I have built them a house and paid off all of their outstanding debts. I am also hopeful that the high-breed Borana goats I purchased will breed well as expected, allowing me to trade them for cows and carry on with livestock farming in a few years. Eventually, I hope to be able to sell some of the goats, which will help support my family and grow over time.

Giving cash was a great idea because this helped me clear all the school fees debt that i had. Personally, I do not think that they could have done it differently nor better. It is perfect just the way it is.

Three of my five children are in primary school, while the other two are in secondary school. I used part of the money for their school fees. I still owed money for unpaid school fees before getting the money. It was a huge relief and gave me great joy to have my children’s’ school fees cleared. For the first time, my face could truly embody my name, Furaha, which means pleased. A portion of the funds were also used to construct a house for my kids. My children are older and it is wrong to sleep with them in the same house. So that we could each have a comfortable place to sleep, I decided to construct them a house. And finally, I purchased three borana goats. It is stated that these goats are of good breed and they produce twins. With good care and luck, they will eventually multiply and become a sizable flock.

As the golden rays of the afternoon sun bathed the maize fields, I paused in the midst of my harvest to check my phone. A message from GiveDirectly had arrived on my Mpesa, and my heart skipped a beat. Tears welled up in my eyes as I read the words, for in that moment, I knew that my children's dreams were no longer distant. With the unconditional cash transfer, I could finally send my beloved children to school, ending weeks of them staying home due to financial constraints. The weight that had burdened my heart for so long was lifted, replaced by a sense of hope and joy that danced amidst the swaying maize stalks. It was a moment of profound gratitude, the promise of a brighter future, and the knowledge that dreams could indeed come true.

Since I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, the most significant change in my life has been the newfound hope that comes with the goats. I firmly believe that as their numbers increase, I will be able to sell some and generate the income necessary to support my children through their education until they graduate. Before this support, it was a constant struggle to make ends meet, and I often worried about how I would afford my children's school fees. But now, with the goats, I see a path towards securing their future, and it brings me immense relief and optimism. These goats represent more than just livestock; they are a symbol of resilience and progress. With each addition to the herd, I am one step closer to ensuring that my children receive the education they deserve, breaking the cycle of poverty that has held my family back for generations. It's not just about the goats themselves; it's about the opportunities they represent and the dreams they are helping me turn into reality. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I have a renewed sense of purpose and the confidence that my children will have a brighter future.

I vividly remember the sense of despair that washed over me when my two children, one in Form 1 and the other in Form 4, were forced to stay home from school for nearly two weeks due to unpaid fees. My husband and I rely on farming for our livelihood, and it has been a constant struggle to gather enough money for their education. When I received the first installment of the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly where it needed to go. I used $300 to clear the arrears and get my children back to school. The relief I felt watching them walk through those school gates was immeasurable. It was a small fortune for us, but it meant the world for our family's future. With the remaining funds, I made investments that would secure our long-term well-being. I bought three goats for $120, recognizing that they would become valuable assets. They would provide a safety net for us in times of financial hardship, ensuring we could meet our immediate needs. Additionally, I purchased building materials like poles and iron sheets for $180. This was the first step towards constructing a larger house for my family. With five children, our old house had become cramped and uncomfortable. The unconditional cash transfer didn't just alleviate our immediate struggles; it opened the door to a brighter, more secure future for us all.