In the coming year, my main focus is to ensure my children receive a good education, paving the way for them to become responsible individuals. I plan to allocate more resources towards their school fees, books, and uniforms, ensuring they have everything they need to succeed. By prioritizing their education now, I hope to instill in them a love for learning and a strong sense of responsibility. As they progress in their studies, I will continue to support and encourage them, hoping that in the years to come, they will grow into well-educated, responsible adults who can make positive contributions to our community. My ultimate goal is to see them graduate and secure stable jobs, breaking the cycle of poverty and creating a brighter future for our family.

GiveDirectly did well by transforming my life from a state of desperation to one of dignity and stability. Before their support, I was struggling with fee arrears for my children's education and living in poor housing conditions. The assistance I received moved me from scratch to a level of identity where I could finally manage my financial responsibilities and provide a better environment for my family. Its processes were clear and understandable, making it easy for me to access and utilize the funds effectively.

I am a mother of seven, and I depend on casual jobs to sustain my family while my husband works as a watchman. With the second transfer of $550 I received from GiveDirectly, I carefully planned how to use this money to address our most pressing needs. First, I spent $170 to pay the fees for my five school-going children. Three are in secondary school, and two are in primary school. They had huge fee arrears and were sent home. Seeing them return to school was a relief in my heart, knowing they could continue their education and work towards a brighter future. I also used $130 to purchase 12 pieces of iron sheets and nails to renovate our leaking house. The leaks had made living conditions very difficult, especially during the rainy season. Due to food scarcity, I spent $80 to buy some food for my family, ensuring we had enough to eat. Additionally, I bought four plastic chairs for $34 because we had no proper seating at home and used to sit on logs. Unfortunately, my son got injured while on an attachment, so I spent $80 on his treatment to ensure he recovered well. With the remaining $50, I saved for family emergencies, giving me peace of mind knowing we have a small buffer for unforeseen expenses.

I was at home in the evening, relaxing after a long day's work, when suddenly, my phone rang with a message notification. I checked my phone and saw that it was the GiveDirectly transfer. Overwhelmed with excitement, I immediately called my husband, who is in Mombasa, to tell him the good news. The first thing that came to my mind was how I was finally going to repair the roof of our house, which had been leaking for a long time. I waited for the next day then called GiveDirectly office to thank them for the help they had given me and I cannot be grateful enough.

Since I received money from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference in my life has been the ability to repair the roof of my house. Before, whenever it rained, I had to place sacks and reeds to prevent water from leaking inside. It was a constant worry, and the situation was especially hard on my son, who is in Grade 6. Now, he is so much more excited and happy because we have a great place to live. The old roof was not only leaky but also made a lot of noise whenever it was windy. The iron sheets were worn out, and the roofing nails were so tattered that I feared they would fall off any moment. This improvement has brought a sense of security and comfort to our home, and I am immensely grateful for the positive change it has brought to our lives.

Receiving the cash transfer has truly been a blessing for my family. The first thing I did was buy six quality iron sheets and some roofing nails for $100 to repair our roof which was very old and leaked whenever it rained, causing a lot of discomfort and damage inside the house. Now, with the new iron sheets, we no longer have to worry about water seeping in during the rainy season.I also invested $320 in purchasing posts to build a latrine. This was a significant upgrade for us, as having a proper latrine improves sanitation and overall health for my family. Additionally, I spent $100 on buying goats which represent a form of savings for the future. Furthermore, I bought a second-hand bed and mattress for $70 because the old bed frame we had was unstable and uncomfortable, reducing our sleep quality. Lastly, I used $150 to pay school fees for my three children, two in secondary school and one in primary school. Prior to this, I had been doing casual labor to raise money for their education, which was always a struggle. With the school fees now paid, my children can focus on their studies without the constant fear of being sent home for unpaid fees.