In the coming year and beyond, I wish to connect tap water and purchase additional water tanks for my family. This will enable me to achieve my dream of starting a water business in the village a reliable source of income for the family. This will make me abandon the charcoal-burning activity which is energy-draining and characterised by low income.

Giving unconditional cash aid is the best thing that GiveDirectly did. Also, their criteria of targeting the poorest households in the village to improve their living conditions was a great one. I loved the fact that it's non-political and is not affiliated with any religious group, and every eligible household was enrolled without any discrimination. I just wish it could continue to support the poor since most of us have not accomplished our long-term goals.

The cash transfers come at a time when I needed them most. I am a single parent after separating from my husband 15 years ago due to family problems. I assume the responsibility of raising my family of 4 alone after the court granted us devoice. The recent transfer was of great help in supporting the education of my firstborn who was in University taking a degree in ICT. I used $200 in paying part of the pending university fee. At the moment, I am happy he was able to finish his studies and is about to graduate in September this year. In addition, I constructed a one-roomed house for my third born who was seeking shelter from his friend who married recently living him stranded. Lastly, I purchased a water tank of 2000L capacity for $200 which will help me to harvest enough rainwater for the family.

I received a message while I was attending a seminar in my village. I could not wait until the seminar was finished to have a quick glance at what the message was about. As soon as I saw the message, which confirmed I had received cash. I was composed and held back my urge to scream out of happiness. As soon as the seminar finished, I walked on air because back in my mind I knew that some of my financial issues will be sorted out.

It has been a challenge to educate my children about the income received from my casual jobs. I have survived on borrowing from the merry-go-round fundraising group, which allows me to access loans on the little savings I have. The difference is buying the laptop for my son who was sitting for his exams and now that he is in the ICT field; it was mandatory to have the laptop. The burden of having such a lump sum amount was stressing me because I was afraid I couldn't raise the funds in that short time.

My husband has not been supportive in educating my three sons. One of my sons is in university and he has been asking me to buy him a laptop, because of my unemployment and working on casual jobs within the village it has been a challenge to buy him the Laptop. Once I received the cash transfer, I sent him KES 35,000 for the Laptop and KES 5000 for his hostel rent. My other son had completed his high school and because of the School fees balance he could not access his certificates, therefore spent 7500 to clear the balance. The remaining cash was used to buy iron sheets and light poles to build my sons a one-roomed house.