Owning livestock has been a long-held dream of mine, but the constraints of school fees prevented me from realizing it until now. With high school behind me, I've begun fulfilling this dream by investing in goats and chickens. Looking ahead to next year and beyond, I aim to expand my livestock holdings by purchasing at least five cows. With these cattle, I can sell them for approximately $300 per bull, helping to fund my college education. In the long term, I aspire to attend a community health college. I was inspired to take this path by the success stories of peers from my village who have excelled in this field.

Before completing my high school education last year, I focused on utilizing the cash transfers primarily to pay off my school fees. I'm pleased to say that I am now debt-free in that regard. With that taken care of, my plan for this year was to start building a stable foundation for wealth by venturing into livestock rearing. I invested $50 in purchasing two goats and $24 in acquiring eight chickens. Since I am fresh out of school and have yet to secure a source of income, I see livestock rearing as the best way to begin accumulating wealth for the future. As these animals reproduce and grow, I anticipate being able to sell them in the future to meet various needs, such as food and school fees for my four younger siblings. Ultimately, my goal is to support my mother in providing for our family's needs.

As I stand on the threshold of new beginnings after completing high school, my sights are set on a venture that holds promise and potential: a business selling vegetables. The idea of cultivating and selling fresh produce excites me, offering a chance to channel my energy and enthusiasm into something meaningful. With college on the horizon, I see this business as more than just a means to financial stability; it's a stepping stone toward independence and learning the ropes of entrepreneurship. I envision this next year as the foundation for my journey, where I'll sow the seeds of a successful vegetable business while preparing to embark on the academic path ahead. This venture isn't just about selling vegetables; it's about nurturing growth, both for my future business and my personal development as I stride into the next chapter of my life.

I was beyond relieved when the monthly cash transfer arrived just as my school fees were looming overhead like a storm cloud. With the weight of impending exams and the fear of missing out on my certificate due to unpaid fees, the timing couldn't have been more perfect. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I managed to clear the $20 needed for my education. Finally sitting for my national exams, I found a rare sense of peace knowing that regardless of the results, my certificate was secure. My parents live in poverty, and their struggle to afford my education has always been a heavy burden. But this time, I stood on solid ground, grateful for the light and hope that came with that unconditional support. Alongside securing my education, I decided to invest part of the transfer wisely. With $10, I bought a chicken, an odd but hopeful investment for me. I see it as a start, a small security that will multiply as the chicken grows and eventually become a reliable asset. The remaining funds were dedicated to supporting my mother by providing essentials like sugar and vegetables. As I step into the world of post-secondary school job hunting with a newfound sense of optimism, I'm grateful not only for the immediate relief but also for the foundation this support has given me to build a better future for myself and my family.

In my final year of school, my primary objective is to eliminate the $50 debt that I currently owe. This will bring me immense relief and peace of mind, knowing that I am debt-free. After settling my school fees, my plan is to utilize future transfers to venture into livestock investment. As of now, I already possess two hens that I acquired using some of the transferred money, and I intend to expand my livestock holdings in the near future. As the livestock population grows, I will sell some of them to generate additional funds for my personal needs and aspirations.

I utilized $30 from my July transfers to settle my school fees at Mnazimumwenga Primary School, where I am currently studying as a form four student. Despite this payment, I still have an outstanding school fee debt of $50 for the entire academic year. Being dependent on my mother, who is the sole provider for our family, puts a significant financial strain on us. Unfortunately, my father's illness prevents him from contributing to my education or the family's needs. My mother works as a peasant farmer, but her income is not sufficient to cover our growing family needs adequately. Not only does she have to handle my school fees, but she also has the added responsibility of paying for my two younger siblings' education, as they are in junior secondary school. This financial burden weighs heavily on her. In an attempt to relieve some of the pressure on my mother, I took the initiative to pay my own school fees. This way, I avoid having to stay at home while my peers continue their education. After being forced to miss five days of school due to the outstanding fees, I am grateful that I could eventually return to continue my learning.

With the assurance of my monthly transfers, I hope to complete my fourth form without much fee arrears. Though we previously had struggles, I desired to put more effort into my studies to improve my academic excellence. With ample time in school, I will no longer miss classes but be available to take part in all lessons. As a result, I anticipate positive grades that will help me secure a chance in an institution of higher learning. Once I obtain the right skills, I will later succeed in securing a job to uplift my family.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in alleviating poverty through cash transfers. It does not discriminate anyone. For instance, even though I am still a student because I have a national identity card, I was enrolled in the program. It has been helpful to me because I can nowadays undertake my studies with ease. Without such support, I would be missing a lot from the class. It has enabled me to pay my school fees without depending on my parents. I think that GiveDirectly needs to scale up its operation by enrolling more people from our villages.

I am enrolled in school and currently in form four. Previously, I had challenges pursuing my studies since I could be sent home at any time for fee collection. My parents had no regular income, and paying my school fee was a serious struggle. When I received my most recent transfer, I prioritized paying my outstanding fee arrears. Upon paying a portion of my school fees, I have arrears of $20. As a result, I have always had adequate time in school to focus on my study. I, therefore, hope to witness positive progress in my performance as the year progresses. I have had adequate time for school, and I rarely miss class as I used to before I received my transfer.

I can still remember, just like the other day, when I was looking after our cattle and I heard a loud vibration from my mobile phone. Without wasting time, I decided to check where the message was coming from. I was overwhelmed with joy to realize that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I decided to go back home and share the news with my family. I was very sure that my life would completely change for the better.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now settled in school and studying without any disturbances. I have been on and off, which has been affecting my academic performance in general. This used to demotivate me a lot, and sometimes I opted to drop out of school. I am now so thankful that I am no longer stressed, which has even led to an improvement in my performance. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this massive support that I will remember for all of my days in life. 

I spent the whole of my recent transfer on paying my fees. I am currently in my final year of high school, and it has been stressful for me considering that I have always been sent home due to arrears. My parents have however been supporting me, though it wasn't enough because they relied on odd jobs and had some other household responsibilities to cater to. This financial support means a lot to me since I can now see light at the end of the tunnel. Once I finish my studies, I am positive that I will be in a position to get a lucrative job, which will equally change my life and that of my generation at large.