Aside from my maize-selling business, I recently started working for a company where I am earning enough money to pay for my children's school fees as well as food for my family. Since my salary allows me to comfortably support my family, I am looking forward to hiring a business assistant so that I can increase funding and expand the business to supply other cereal varieties to customers. I am currently selling dry maize grains, and I have received requests from customers who want to be supplied with beans, wheat, and peas. This will increase the profit margin, which in turn will increase my family's savings, which will be useful in implementing other new projects.

GiveDirectly did an excellent job in our village, lifting many families out of poverty. Following the first and second transfers, many people built new houses after demolishing the old ones, others bought livestock, and still others returned their children to school. The lack of favoritism in enrollment encouraged many people to participate from the beginning to the end, because I assured them that everyone had a chance to receive household support. They did not require us to pay anything other than being present in our home to be enrolled and informed of the potential dates for receiving the money. We were free to interact with the officers in a language that we all understood, so we could ask as many questions as we wanted to get basic information about the programs. The approach was so effective that we wish other villages could have the same experience and receive the same life-changing assistance.

I have been running a maize business for the past two years, buying in bulk from suppliers and breaking the bulk while selling to local consumers. This has been profitable, especially given the current high demand for dry maize grains. When I received the second transfer, I injected $300 into the business to increase stock and thus profit margin, as I had been able to meet the customer's demands on a consistent basis. I'm currently buying a sack of maize for $75 and selling it for $82. After relocating, I used the remaining funds to furnish my new home with new comfortable furniture for my family of four. I am relieved that it is complete.

I was very happy and grateful to receive such big support from GiveDirectly. It was around 5:30 pm when I received a message at home with my family that I immediately showed them, and everyone was excited too. I could not withdraw immediately but later, after one week.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the improved running of my business. I have been saving a lot since I spent less on transport from home to the workplace and also on making timely deliveries to my customers. The motorcycle I bought has cushioned me a lot from hiring a rider that was so expensive. I have saved the daily KES 100 transport to and from the workplace since I have been using the same means from home and back later in the evening.

I had been running a cereal business that deals in maize grains, beans, and millet in the nearby shopping center for almost a year now. Selling to the customers who make orders from home has been challenging while delivering. I would sometimes spend a lot to ensure that the customer receives the order in time, and this would interfere with my profit projections. On receiving the first transfer, I spent KES 49000 on buying a motorcycle that has made my business operations easier. I am happy that I can deliver at a lower cost and time of delivery to my customers. I also paid KES 6000 school fees for my son currently in primary school, with the remaining amount. I am grateful that I can comfortably provide for my family of four now since I have registered a better profit margin, and a simple time handling other activities alongside my business.