I have always wanted to start a business but unfortunately since I was always short on finances, it was never the appropriate time for it, so this time round I planned on using the transfers to finally start a business and also eventually pay tuition fee for my children since I had a debt that I had not paid.

I personally feel that the donations wouldn't have come at a better time because through them I gained some of Independence, I don't necessarily rely on my husband to sort out every single bill in the house and not forgetting that my kids went to school which is quite essential.

As soon as I received the transfer, I took the opportunity as a chance to finally open up my business, so I ended up using KES 6,000 to open up a grocery store and then I went on to pay KES 2,000 in school fees for two of my children who were still in kindergarten. Apart from that, I also intended renovating my house by adding an extra room, so I ended up using KES 3,000 o purchasing timber and KES 10,000 on iron sheets. I also bought two goats for KES 6,000 and as for the rest of the funds I used them to ensure that my family and I never missed a meal.

I had gone home with my husband to say hi to my parents after such a long time. On our way, a message popped on my phone but since I was illiterate, I gave my husband to read it. He told me that I had received the transfer and what we all jumped up in joy. Everyone who was nearby could tell that we were celebrating good news.

Previously, we couldn't afford three meals a day but ever since I received my transfer, we have been able to afford three meals. This was such a good thing for our children who used to go to school without breakfast. They wouldn't concentrate on empty stomach! Right now, they are very energetic and I would say their concentration on their studies has improved from how they have been performing.

Both my husband and I have been sharing a single room with our two children. It's be a struggle and scramble for space and privacy for a couple of years because the room serves as both living room and bedroom. Our wish was to build our children a separate room but the daily commission of KES 200 that my husband earns from operating a motorbike taxi is not enough to cater for basic needs, pay school fees and save towards building. We also didn't have livestock which we could sell to achieve our goal and we were laughing stock in the village because almost every household in the village owns livestock even if it's one goat. When I was enrolled in the program, my husband and I set two goals which were building a separate room for our children and buying livestock. I spend KES 20000 of my first transfer to raise a single room structure and I'm looking forward to roof it once I receive my second transfer. I also spend KES 9000 to buy three goats, KES 2000 to clear fees arrears and spend the balance to buy food enough to take us through the month.