I buy and sell brooms, and with the boost I had in my capital from the transfers, I intend to focus more on my business, reinvest my profits, and earn more money to continue supporting my 3 children's education up to tertiary level. I am praying that my children complete their education so that they can have a decent life in the future. Seeing my children excel in life would bring me so much peace, and I would be so much grateful since they are what I live for.

GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job, and I wouldn't want them to change anything. Our needs vary, and addressing them is not easy. Therefore, cash remains the best way to meet our diverse needs.

I was at home with my husband pounding maize preparing them for the posho mill when I heard my phone ring. Since I do not know how to read, I asked my husband to check it. He, then, joyfully informed me that we had received our 2nd transfer from GiveDirectly. I was equally excited as I knew my plans could finally be realized. I live with my husband and 3 sons aged between 10 and 20 years in a small 2-roomed house which is not appropriate for us going by our cultural beliefs. My three teenage sons are all grown up now, and their curiosity about life makes it difficult for my spouse and me to have private moments. My husband is a plumber and works as a casual labourer, while I buy and sell brooms to earn a living. Our little earnings were barely enough to cater to our family's needs alongside building a decent house. I therefore spent $500 to build another 2-bedroom house so that my boys can sleep separately from us and give us the privacy and respect that we deserve, and also for them to sleep comfortably. This house has been a huge relief to us because I was worried that my boys would pick up some behaviours which were not age-appropriate for them.

I was overjoyed beyond words as I sat at the door, sharing a late lunch with my last born who was the helper, when a buzzing sound announced a message. My helper confirmed with a smile that it was the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly. In that moment, the weight of debts and the worry about my son's junior secondary school fees being unpaid lifted off my shoulders. With the newfound financial relief, my first thought was to settle the overdue fees that had resulted in my son being sent home from school. The sheer relief allowed me to indulge in a celebration, and I immediately bought 2 bundles of ugali and 1kg of meat to share the joy with my family. Overwhelmed with gratitude, I knelt down to offer a heartfelt prayer of thanks to GiveDirectly for their generosity and a thanksgiving prayer to God for providing in my time of need.

Having a tap in my own compound is a game-changer – no more exhausting trips to fetch water from far away. It's a relief! Seeing my children so happy is another huge difference. Now, I'm thinking of starting a business right here at home, serving clients even late at night. And the best part? I now have my own solar setup, bringing light to my home. Thanks to GiveDirectly, these changes make each day a lot brighter for me and my family.

Initially, I lived in a small 1-bedroom house with my two sons, who were getting too big to share the space. Financial instability prevented me from building a new house, despite having the desire for a 3-roomed stoney home. As a hawker selling brooms, I earned around $10 on a good day, and my husband, a casual worker, earned about $30 in a good week, mostly used for food and tithe. With the cash transfer, I used $300 to start a foundation for my new house, and now I am eagerly waiting for the harvest to complete the construction. I invested $10 to install a tap in my compound to avoid unfair charges from unfaithful neighbors. Additionally, $150 went towards settling my son's overdue debt and buying him a new uniform. I also purchased a solar lamp to brighten our home. The changes brought about by GiveDirectly made my children extremely happy.