I have an exciting plan of starting a small business right at home. My vision is to open a kiosk, a venture that seems particularly promising given that there's only one shop in the vicinity. This scarcity of shops presents a golden opportunity to attract clients. My kiosk will offer a variety of items. Given the lack of nearby options, I believe this will perfectly cater to the needs of the community. Alongside this, I intend to diversify my business by adding a posho mill. This addition is strategic it allows me to sell maize flour and serve as a draw for customers who might need other items from my shop. Imagine this scenario: a customer comes in to buy maize flour but ends up purchasing something else from the kiosk. This cross-selling opportunity is an integral part of my business plan, as it maximizes customer convenience and increases the potential for sales. Through this blend of essential goods and services, I aim to create a one-stop shop that serves the needs of my community while also fostering the growth of my entrepreneurial journey. it's a strategic move to secure a stable future for my family. It will provide a reliable source of income to address essential family needs, including school expenses and food.

One of the most commendable aspects of GiveDirectly's approach was the thoroughness and clarity with which their officers explained everything to me. They ensured that I fully understood every detail before I accepted enrollment. Moreover, the security education provided by GiveDirectly was exceptional. They emphasized the importance of keeping my Mpesa PIN confidential and advised against using easily guessable numbers like my year of birth. This advice played a crucial role in helping me safeguard my money. Thanks to these security measures, when I received my funds, I experienced no issues with theft. This peace of mind was invaluable, allowing me to focus on using the funds to improve my family's life without the worry of potential security breaches. I am grateful to GiveDirectly and sincerely hope they continue with the same level of support. Their commitment to providing financial and ensuring recipients are well-informed and secure is truly exemplary. This approach empowers individuals and fosters a sense of trust and safety within the community.

Receiving GiveDirectly's support of $450 marked a significant turning point in my life. Firstly, I spent $80 on maize, our staple food. It was a top priority, as securing food had become a challenging task for our family of 13. Given I have no stable job, and my daily activities range from casual labor to weaving ropes and carrying water for payment, ensuring a steady food supply was essential. My husband, whose income from selling goats is inconsistent due to fluctuating market days, also faces financial unpredictability. In addition to this, I invested $50 in a female goat, adding to the 20 we already have. This purchase was not just an addition to our livestock but also served as a living memory of GiveDirectly's generosity. These goats are crucial to our livelihood, as we occasionally sell one or two during tough times. I allocated $30 for school shoes and $14 for school sweaters for two of my children, ensuring they have their school requirements. In addition, $200 I spent on paying school fees for my son in high school. During the December holiday, a significant family event took place – the circumcision of my three sons. This cultural milestone required finances. I used $76 to cover part of the necessary items, including food for the occasion. I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has brought hope and stability to my family. Their assistance has helped us through immediate challenges and provided a foundation for a more secure future.

In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspiration is to purchase a plot in the nearby shopping center, Koriema. While I initially wished to expand my land within the village, the prevailing investment trends have led me to believe that a plot is a valuable asset with rapid appreciation. Currently, I am engaged in small-scale farming, and my plan is to expand and convert it into a plantation that I hope will yield better. The proceeds from the farm will be saved gradually, aiming to make the initial deposit for one of the available plots on offer in the coming year. This strategic move aligns with my long-term goal of securing a valuable piece of land in the fast-growing shopping center.

Thanks to the unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, my life and my family have experienced transformative changes we never thought possible. I appreciate the organization's concern, as they ensure everything is going well on our end through calls and occasional household visits. Enrolling all native households in the village made us feel valued, and there haven't been any complaints since. As I anticipate the final bit of support, I am hopeful to achieve my plans, and I wish GiveDirectly continued success as they extend their support to other villages.

It wasn't always feasible for me to walk 7 kilometers to fetch water from a river, and sometimes I had to rely on my young kids, who could barely carry 5 liters. This challenge prompted my prayers for a breakthrough, particularly to purchase water collection and storage equipment. I was thrilled when GiveDirectly provided unique and generous cash support. Anticipating the second transfer, I had already invested $50 in materials like gutters and timber to construct a fascia board. With the second transfer, I spent $355 on acquiring a 5000-liter plastic tank, which is currently being installed. This tank will significantly reduce the frequency of fetching water from the river for my family of 9, eliminating the need to buy from vendors within the village. The transportation cost of $45 was worthwhile, and I am relieved that the tank reached home without any damage.

I was very excited upon receiving a notification from GiveDirectly confirming the initial transfer. Despite being unaware of receiving the money on that day, I expressed profound gratitude towards the organization and offered thanks to God for the provision. At the time of receiving the message, my husband and I were attending an event at a nearby school, and I eagerly shared the news with him, and he exhibited the same excitement. Although we were away from home, we were unable to immediately withdraw the funds. Instead, we collected the money a week later, when we were fully prepared to utilize it, as the shopping center where we could conveniently purchase all our necessities was located a bit farther away.

The biggest difference in my everyday life is the successful erection of the fence, effectively closing off any openings into my farm and preventing the entry of stray animals from the neighborhood as well as wild zebras. This achievement has enabled us to confidently commence and sustain our farming endeavors without the constant concern of wildlife intrusion.

Having previously managed a modest grocery business that provided a slight financial cushion, I have navigated the challenge of sustaining my family of nine with their daily needs. The situation improved significantly upon receiving the recent transfer, granting us relief. In our financial planning, we allocated some money to purchase a sack of maize and 10 kilograms of beans, totaling $90. These provisions have been supplemented by the proceeds from the small shop I have been operating. I had been struggling with the task of enclosing my compound with fencing, and the transfer enabled me to acquire the final chain link for $24, effectively securing my land against livestock intrusion. This safeguard has paved the way for improved farming conditions, assuring the safety of my crops. Furthermore, I allocated $50 for my son's secondary school fees, allowing him ample time to prepare for his final exams alongside his peers. I spent the remaining $31 on essential household items, some of which continue to serve us to date.