Looking ahead, my goal is to start a vegetable business to supplement our income, given its profitability in our area. I also aim to obtain the necessary qualifications to resume teaching, restoring our previous stability. I will be using my upcoming transfers to achieve these goals. The profits from my business, along with my teaching salary and savings, will go towards securing my son's education, providing us with peace of mind. I am genuinely happy and grateful for this opportunity to change our lives for the better.

My main source of income comes from buying and selling chickens, and fortunately, this business has been thriving. Meanwhile, my husband works as a tout in Mariakani, tirelessly supporting our family of eight. Our previous situation was incredibly challenging, as we struggled to afford school fees and even basic necessities like food. However, I am grateful that our circumstances have significantly improved. Now, I can comfortably cover my children's school fees, set aside savings, and even invest in goats to further enhance my business. Thanks to the transfers we received, I was able to purchase a goat worth $25 and allocate $9 towards buying essential household items. Additionally, I spent $34 on purchasing books and pens for my children as they were needed in school. The remaining $34 was used to settle a pending school fees for four of my children so that they would continue with their studies. I am genuinely happy to be a beneficiary of this program, as it has truly been a life-changing experience for me.

I want to continue my livestock venture, particularly with goats. Currently, I have nine goats, one of which I acquired through the cash transfers. I aim to expand this herd. In a few years, when the transfers end, these animals will be crucial in supporting my children's needs. Selling some of them as they reproduce will help cover tuition and contribute to putting food on our table, ensuring a sustainable future for my family.

I mostly use the cash transfers for my children's tuition. Their school had outstanding debts that could have jeopardized their education, and since their father, who operates a motorcycle taxi, was struggling to settle these debts, I spent $31 on tuition fees. I am happy that one of them got to sit for their final primary school examinations without school fee struggles. Also, three of the kids had worn-out uniforms that could not be repaired anymore, so I used $18 to get them new ones. Additionally, I invested $25 in buying a goat and $8 in two chickens for future breeding. The plan is to let these animals reproduce, grow the herd, and sell the offspring to meet the children's needs. Finally, with the onset of the short rain season, $10 went into plowing the land for planting, and the rest covered our food expenses.

On my farm, I have recently cultivated maize, beans, and various vegetables. I have high hopes that by the end of August, I will have an abundant supply of food. This surplus will enable me to allocate my monthly stipend towards profitable investments. One of my primary investment plans involves acquiring livestock, specifically goats. Goats are known for their rapid reproduction, which makes them an excellent choice for investment. Their quick multiplication will yield substantial returns in a relatively short span of time. Additionally, in case of any unforeseen emergencies, I have the option to sell some goats and utilize the proceeds to support myself financially.

In June, a significant portion of my monthly funds went towards purchasing food. Instead of buying expensive maize flour from the shops, I opted to buy a bucket full of maize for $24. This quantity of maize was sufficient to feed my family for nearly two weeks, which was advantageous. Additionally, I used part of the funds to settle the outstanding school fees for my four children enrolled at Mutulu Primary School. I am relieved and content knowing that they no longer have any outstanding balances, ensuring their uninterrupted education. I am extremely grateful for the financial support provided by Give Directly, as I face various financial challenges. I operate a small business selling hens in the market, earning an average of $1 per hen. On a good day, I am able to sell a maximum of seven hens, totaling $7 in earnings. Unfortunately, this amount is insufficient to cover the numerous expenses I have, such as purchasing food, paying school fees, and providing medication for my five children. My husband is facing difficulties in finding employment, and months pass without him securing any jobs. Consequently, I am responsible for addressing all our needs, and with the help of financial assistance, I can manage most of them.

In the hopes that they might be useful later on while experiencing financial difficulties, I was planning to invest in buying a few farm animals this year by purchasing a few goats and chickens. In addition, I want to use the money to pay for my four children's college tuition as we often rely on my husband's meager earnings from side jobs. I'm hoping that this money will enable me to support myself when my husband is unable to. It's also important to consider nutrition, particularly in light of the drought we're currently facing and the subsequent poor harvest.

It was in the evening and I just finished doing laundry; I asked my son to check my phone, and he was so surprised to confirm that, I received some money from GiveDirectly. I was pleased to share the information with my husband that evening and planned the food items I was going to buy the next day.  

The biggest difference in my daily life is providing food for my family. The current earnings that we both have with my husband have been a stretch to have enough food for my family and meet other basic needs. My plan is to use the funds to buy enough food for the family and support my husband in paying off the school fees. My other goal is to buy bedding because the ones we have are old and worn out.

I was completely ecstatic when I realized the transfers had arrived. My top focus was to make sure I looked at nutrition because there wasn't much food in the house at the time. I then spent KES 1,400 to buy three kilograms of beans and nine packets of maize flour. Then I went ahead and used the KES 2,000 that was still in my account to buy five hens that I would eventually sell for a small profit.