I have started preparing to cultivate my land as the rains are about to set in. I have two acres, and since we didn't harvest anything last season, I want to start early this time. If all goes well and we have a good harvest, it will greatly benefit our family and relieve my husband from the strain of burning and selling charcoal to support us. I really appreciate Give Directly for the financial support, which has been a great help to our family. Additionally, it has significantly contributed to our well-being, especially in enabling my children to continue attending school.

I have a very small bed that cannot comfortably fit me, but due to lack of income, I have been persevering with it. Now that I have some income, I want to change my situation. When I received my most recent transfer, I spent $69.40 on our merry-go-round contribution. I plan to use these savings to buy a new bed once it's my turn to benefit from the transfers. I also bought a goat worth $35 because goats multiply quickly, providing more profit. In case of any future financial issues, I can sell the goat to sort things out. Hence I appreciate Give Directly for the financial support.

With the onset of the rainy season, precipitation has begun, prompting me to focus on preparing my one-acre farm for planting maize. A successful harvest would alleviate the strain on my husband, whose earnings from selling charcoal are meager, by providing an ample food supply for our family. I am deeply appreciative of the financial support provided by the transfers, which has significantly contributed to ensuring the well-being of my family, particularly in enabling my children to continue attending school.

I allocated a significant portion of my funds towards investing in livestock, acquiring a total of three goats for $57. This strategic move is aimed at securing our future, as the goats are expected to multiply, thereby increasing their value. The eventual sale of these animals will provide funds to cover the school fees of my four children. Additionally, I diversified my investments by purchasing two hens for $6. Investing in livestock is a long-term strategy that promises returns as the animals multiply and their numbers grow. Furthermore, I set aside $39 towards purchasing a new wooden bed, as the discomfort of sleeping on a sisal twine bed has been challenging. Upgrading to a more comfortable bed will greatly improve my quality of sleep. I am immensely grateful for the financial support provided through the transfers, which has been instrumental in supporting my family's needs, especially considering my husband's limited income from charcoal sales.

My intention is to use my upcoming transfers to expand the planting on my farm. By having an abundance of food, I will have the opportunity to invest my transfers in other income-generating activities. Due to the large size of the farm, I also intend to hire workers to assist with the weeding, and the transfers will play a crucial role in enabling me to do so. I am extremely pleased and satisfied with the financial support from the transfers, as it has greatly contributed to my accomplishments.

My house had been deteriorating for some time. The heavy rains earlier this month revealed significant cracks in the walls, leading to its collapse. Fortunately, I had already made preparations to purchase new building poles and construct a new house. After the collapse, I spent $68 on nails, sisal twin ropes, and additional building poles. I began construction and I'm thrilled to now have a better and secure place to live. In addition to building the house, I invested $34 to plow 1 acre of my land in preparation for planting. The current rains are very promising, and I am hopeful for a bountiful harvest. I am extremely grateful for the financial assistance from the transfers.

My primary goal for the coming year and beyond is to acquire more livestock, specifically goats and chickens. To accomplish this, I have diligently saved at least $20 per month in our local savings group for the sole purpose of purchasing these valuable assets. Owning livestock not only gives me pride, but it also provides a vital safety net for any potential financial emergencies, which is especially important given that I do not currently have a regular source of income. With the funds saved, I have already made progress towards my aspiration. I have purchased two goats and three chickens, and I am devotedly rearing them with care. Aside from the financial benefits, these livestock give me the peace of mind that my children's education is secure. If the need arises, I can readily sell some of the livestock to cover their school expenses, ensuring that their educational journey remains uninterrupted.

I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the invaluable financial assistance that has significantly improved my family's well-being. Prior to receiving the transfers, I relied on subsistence farming for our sustenance. However, a prolonged drought in recent years made farming impossible, leaving us without a reliable source of food. Without this timely help, my family would have endured prolonged food scarcity, making it challenging to have three meals a day. Fortunately, the transfers allowed me to purchase enough food, ensuring that my family can now comfortably enjoy three meals daily. This relief has brought immense joy and a sense of security to our lives. In addition to meeting our immediate food needs, I have long desired to own livestock, but financial constraints have hindered this dream. With the recent transfers, I was able to acquire a goat and three chickens, which I am currently rearing. I take great care of them, allowing them to multiply. These animals represent a valuable asset, and in times of financial need, I can rely on them for support. Owning livestock has given me a sense of stability and hope for the future. The support from GiveDirectly has not only helped me address immediate needs but also encouraged me to save for the future. I am proud to have saved $20 in our local savings group. My plan is to continue saving and use these funds in the near future to acquire more goats, further strengthening my financial security.

I'm planning to begin constructing a new home before the end of this year. My current home is in a terrible state. I am really concerned that my house would collapse as the rainy season approaches, leaving my family homeless. I want to set aside a sizable sum from my upcoming monthly transfers, which I will use to buy necessary building supplies like cement, sheets, and building stones, all of which are important for constructing a sturdy home that will last for a very long time.

As a casual laborer, I rely on selling charcoal for my livelihood while my husband earns a living by raising other people's livestock. Despite working hard, we barely make ends meet and struggle to provide for our family's needs. The harsh weather conditions have made things even more difficult. When I received my March transfer, I spent $10 on buying food for my family as our financial situation was dire, and we were only able to afford one meal a day. The money provided a much-needed relief for my children who were at risk of malnutrition. With the remaining amount, I decided to invest in one day old chicks. Given the challenging farming conditions, I can no longer rely solely on farming, and I hope to generate additional income through poultry farming. This venture will provide a significant economic boost for me.

My priority at the time I was receiving the transfers was mostly based on nutrition especially because we had already gone hungry for a couple of days. Therefore, after I got the chance to withdraw the funds I immediately went ahead to use KES 1,500 by purchasing eight packets of maize flour. Afterwards I proceeded to spend KES 1,000 on paying for tuition for my two kids because they had been out of school for almost a fortnight. As for the balance which was KES 900 I decided to purchase new clothes for my children because it had been a long time since I had bought them any and most of their old ones were worn out and torn.

The most important work that Give Directly does is to provide unconditional cash transfers to needy communities. The funds have helped to alleviate hunger in my household and keep my children in school. Everything the organization does, in my opinion, is perfect; there are no flaws.

Prior to the transfers, my two primary school children were sent out of class to collect unpaid fees. By that time, my charcoal-burning hustle had failed to generate sufficient money to settle the balance. Normally, I sell at most KES 350 worth of charcoal after every two weeks which is only enough for food. So, I cleared the outstanding school fees with KES 1000, and the children excitedly resumed their studies. Due to my low income, hunger is yet another hardship in my family.  As a result, I spent KES 1200 on food stuffs that would last at least a week. I dedicated the remaining funds towards the purchase of chickens, through which I obtained two. The goal is to allow them to multiply and grow before selling them to raise funds for household use.

On reading the message and confirming that it was a confirmation that I had received money from GiveDirectly, I was happy and thankful. It was around 8:00 AM when I got the news of the first transfer while out looking for some casual work that I could come across. I immediately took a ride to the shopping center to purchase some household goods including our breakfast for that day.

There is not much difference in my daily life since I started receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, but I am glad that through the transfers, my children were able to sit for their examinations. I burn and sell charcoal to earn a living and at the time when the transfers were sent the charcoal was not ready for sale and still the KES 600 I make from it would not have catered for both their school fees and our household foodstuffs.

I have three children who attend primary school. At the time when the money was sent they had stayed back at home for four days because I had not paid for their examinations fees. The 600 KES I make weekly from the charcoal sale could not meet both household needs and their school fees. I, therefore, used 500 KES to pay their school fees while 650 KES I spent on foodstuffs for my family. I am glad they did not miss their examinations.