My aspirations are deeply rooted in the steady growth of my livestock-keeping venture, particularly focusing on dairy cows. Investing in this endeavor isn't just about financial gain; it's about securing a brighter future for my children. By nurturing and expanding my dairy herd, I aim to generate a sustainable income stream that will enable me to afford the educational expenses necessary for my kids to thrive academically. I firmly believe that by providing them with quality education, they will have the tools to become responsible individuals poised for success in the future. Each calf born and each liter of milk produced represents not only a step towards financial stability but also a step towards realizing the dreams I have for my children's futures.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in providing direct assistance to those in need. Thanks to their unconditional cash transfers, I was given both the funds and the opportunity to build a house. This support has been invaluable, empowering me to secure safe and stable housing for myself and my family. GiveDirectly's approach of trusting recipients with the freedom to decide how best to use the funds has allowed me to address my most pressing needs and build a brighter future for us all. Their commitment to providing direct assistance with no strings attached has made a tangible difference in my life, and I am deeply grateful for their support.

As I surveyed the dilapidated state of my old house, a sense of determination filled me. Therefore, with the recent cash transfer, I allocated approximately $310 towards building materials and labor, and I embarked on the journey of constructing a new home for my family. The cramped conditions of our previous dwelling, coupled with its unstable structure, had long been a source of worry. With seven family members to accommodate, it was imperative to create a space that offered both safety and comfort. Despite the uncertainty of my earnings as a charcoal seller, averaging around $20 a week, I held onto the belief that this investment would provide a stable foundation for our future. Later on, I invested in three goats, recognizing them as valuable assets that could provide stability in times of need. With an initial purchase of $180, I saw these animals not just as livestock but as a means of future sustenance. With their rapid reproduction rate, I anticipated their numbers to grow, offering a reliable source of income. Also, as I watched my four children return to school with their fees paid in full, I felt a sense of relief, knowing that their education would no longer be disrupted by financial constraints. The cycle of uncertainty was beginning to break, replaced by a newfound sense of optimism fueled by the transformative impact of the cash transfer. With each decision, I was not just securing our present but also laying the foundation for a brighter tomorrow.

I was busy at the farm working when my phone buzzed. I did not give so much consideration to the buzz because I thought that it was just a message from the network service providers. When I went back home, my neighbors informed me that they had received money from GiveDirectly. I gave my daughter my phone to check whether I too had received money, and she confirmed that indeed I had. We were so happy and could not believe that such a blessing could happen to us. I live with my husband and six children. I do charcoal burning to earn a living, while my husband has a very small shop where he sells some household items. On that day, he had not sold anything, and neither had I, and therefore we did not have money to buy food for our children. Having no food and children looking up to me when I had nothing to give them was really heartbreaking. My first thought as a parent was to have my children's stomachs full, so I went to buy food so that they could sleep with full bellies.

Things are now better because we can sleep without worrying about what people might think about us, considering that we all slept in the same small house and had a small baby who is breastfeeding. My husband, six children, and I are now happy, and as parents, we are earning the respect we deserve. With the school fee balance cleared, we can now focus the little earnings we make from our hustles on paying current school fees and food for our family.

On receiving the money, my first thought was feeding my family of six children and my husband. Our hustles had not given us anything on that day. I do charcoal burning for sale while my husband has a small shop where he sells household items. I therefore spent $60 of the transfer to buy food for my children. Of the six children, one is in secondary school and had a fee balance of $200, which I also cleared using part of the transfer. Our house was very tiny and we were all sleeping in it, and this was very inappropriate. I went ahead and spent $200 to build a house so that we could sleep separately from the grown kids.