As I look ahead to the coming years, my heart is set on a bold and ambitious goal: to open my very own hotel business. Having singlehandedly raised myself up to this point, I am determined to secure a brighter future for both myself and my family. To achieve this dream, I plan to diligently save from my current business endeavors, channeling every spare penny towards building the necessary capital. With unwavering dedication and tenacity, I aim to launch my hotel venture next year. This undertaking is not just about boosting my income; it represents a testament to my resilience and the desire to create a legacy of success for generations to come.

Receiving GiveDirectly's unconditional money has been a life-changing experience for me. With the funds, I was able to purchase assets that have significantly improved my family's life. I now have a comfortable and stable home, something we had only dreamed of before. Additionally, I invested in goats, which not only provide us with a source of income but also contribute to our daily needs. The financial burden of education was also lifted, as I could afford to pay school fees for my children, ensuring they received the education they deserved. GiveDirectly's support has opened doors to opportunities I never thought possible, and I am filled with gratitude for the positive impact it has had on our lives

With the recent unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew exactly how to invest wisely for my family's future. I purchased eleven goats, carefully selected to ensure they could thrive in our environment, totaling $300. These animals held the key to securing my children's education. As the school fees piled up for my four children in primary and one in secondary school, in Form 4, I could rest easy knowing that the livestock would be my safety net. In times of financial strain, I could sell some of the livestock to cover the education expenses. With $200, I paid off the accumulated fees for my five children, ensuring they could continue their studies without interruption. Having taken care of their education, I also had my family's immediate needs in mind. With the remaining amount, I bought enough food to sustain us for some time. My days as a local palm wine seller taught me to be resourceful, and on a good day, I could make $5. Although life had thrown challenges my way, including being abandoned by my spouse over ten years ago, I held onto hope and worked hard to provide for my family. Now, with the livestock and reduced financial burdens, I could see a brighter future ahead, one where my children would have opportunities I could only dream of. Grateful for the support received, I am determined to make the most of this opportunity and create a secure and fulfilling life for my family.

I was sitting under a shade tree alongside my house when the message arrived, and when I saw it, I was delighted. My house was in terrible shape; it would fall apart while we were asleep, and now the main worry was that the rainy season was here and I had no clue what I would have done.

With the iron sheet roofing, I can collect rainwater and use it for every domestic use, saving us from walking long distances to fetch water. Not forgetting that we are now having a better house compared to what we had before, which was not even fit to be called a home.

The only thing I could consider using the transfers on is building another house, which took me $53 to complete. I am grateful that I did this because the rains would have swept away our initial home and we would be homeless by now. I also bought food with $2, which has been difficult for the past few months. We are now delighted and comfortable as a family.