In the coming years and beyond, my optimism is centered on passing my upcoming exam and obtaining a coveted Teacher Service Commission (TSC) number, which would open doors to government employment as a teacher. With this achievement, I foresee a future where I can finally construct a permanent three-bedroom house for my young family. Currently residing in a house made of iron sheets, the need for a more comfortable and stable living environment is paramount. I will be looking forward to achieve that.

What I truly love about GiveDirectly is their field staff's principled approach of not accepting any offerings or gifts from recipient households, even if offered. This practice not only prevents any potential disparities but also upholds the dignity of all families, regardless of their circumstances. It's a commendable practice that promotes transparency and maintains a level playing field for everyone involved.

As a teacher by profession, I have struggled to find employment since completing my studies two years ago. Recognizing that the need to advance my career might help in securing a job, I took the step last year to enroll in a postgraduate diploma program. Unfortunately, financial challenges hindered me from taking my final exams two months ago as I had fee arrears. I do not have a substantial income source since I rely on selling a secondhand business that earns around $40 monthly, which is insufficient to cover our family's needs. However, the recent transfer enabled me to clear my outstanding fees of $380, and I am now prepared to take my exams in December this year. With the remaining amount, I acquired food to sustain my family of three.

As I rely on the transfers to sustain my newly established business and livestock venture, my main focus in the coming year and beyond is to diligently maintain these income streams to provide for my family of three. With the unwavering support of my husband, we have devised a plan to construct a new house in the near future, as our current house is made of iron sheets. Although the urgency for a new home may not be immediate, I feel compelled to initiate the construction earlier than necessary, anticipating the upcoming expenses of school fees once my children begin their education. By embarking on this goal, I aim to secure a stable and comfortable living environment for our young family, ensuring that we have a permanent home that our children can be proud of.

GiveDirectly has had a remarkable impact in our village, and I deeply appreciate the effectiveness of their approach. The option to receive money aligned perfectly with our plans, unlike if we had received materials or goods. This empowered us with the freedom to use the money in ways that best suited our families, without any imposed conditions from GiveDirectly. The entire process was executed flawlessly, and I genuinely hope that the same model can be extended to other villages, enabling more individuals and communities to experience the transformative benefits of direct cash transfers.

With the second transfer, I not only provided for my family but also started a new business venture. I decided to invest in selling children's clothes, sourced from Nakuru and Eldoret, with the guidance of a seasoned businesswoman after identifying a gap in the market. These second-hand clothes are highly sought after due to their affordability, making them a popular choice within our immediate community. I spent $240 to purchase two bales, focusing on children's clothes because their rapid growth and wear and tear necessitate frequent purchases. As the business gained momentum, I am grateful while projecting a profit of $60 from a complete sale. Furthermore, I spent $160 of the remaining amount to expand my income-generating activities. I purchased four goats, each valued at $40, which I am currently rearing with the intention of fattening them up for the lucrative annual December auction. This strategic move not only allows me to diversify my sources of income but also takes advantage of the high demand for livestock during that time of year. I then used the remaining $50 to acquire essential household goods. This included purchasing toiletries, stocking up on foodstuffs, and acquiring clothes for my family of three. By addressing these basic needs, I aimed to create a comfortable and nurturing environment for my loved ones.

I was overjoyed to get $200 unconditional transfers from Give Directly because I have been going through a really difficult time as one of the primary providers for a family of three, especially in the last two years when we had the worst droughts ever, causing a lot of hunger and anger at home. So when I received the transfers, my first thought was to notify my spouse, who was equally as elated and we devised a plan.

There was a significant difference in our lives once we received the transfers because when I was offered a part-time position as a primary school teacher, we had no idea how we would settle down and get started because the school was so far away. So the transfers aided in the relocation, acquisition of necessary items, and provision of sufficient food for the new home in which we will reside for at least two months. We spent $130 on food supplies and we got a bed, and baby clothes worth $420.

I have no job and my husband, on the other hand, is a teacher but only earns $80 per week, which is insufficient to meet all of our demands, so I had to obtain a job to help support the family and I was fortunate enough to get a job as a part-time teacher. My new job required me to relocate closer to the school where I teach, so I spent $50 of the transfers on furniture and $130 on groceries that was enough for about two months as we settle down in our new place.