It was around 12 pm. when the money came through, but I didn't notice the message right away because I was on a motorbike, traveling. When I finally saw the message, I felt a wave of joy and relief—it was hard to believe the money had actually arrived! My mind immediately went to my animals and the needs at home. I decided the first thing I would do was buy iron sheets to build a proper store. This store would allow me to safely keep animal feed and food supplies, giving us a secure place to store maize stalks that would keep my cows fed through the dry seasons. Knowing I could finally make this happen filled me with a sense of purpose and excitement.

Before receiving the transfer, building a store was just a distant hope. My teaching salary was already stretched thin to cover food, school fees, and other needs for my four children. I knew a store would help us keep our supplies safe and make life easier, but it never felt possible because it wasn’t a basic need compared to everything else. The cash transfer allowed me to finally make it happen. Now, we have a secure place to store food and materials, which means I can buy in bulk when prices are low and protect our supplies from weather and pests. This change has lifted a big weight off my shoulders, and I’m incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality.

With the cash transfer, I finally saw a chance to make long-needed changes at home. I used $180 to buy building materials for a store—a plan I’d kept pushing aside because of the constant demands of school fees. As a teacher with four children to support, I’ve been managing alone since my husband passed away four years ago. Despite my income, finding extra funds was nearly impossible, especially for things beyond daily needs. The store had been a priority, but it always felt out of reach. Getting this money allowed me to make it a reality, giving us a safe place to store supplies.Furthermore, I spent the rest of the funds on food for my family. With my teaching salary often stretched to its limits, we’ve frequently struggled to have enough. My children deserve regular, nourishing meals, but meeting that need had been difficult on my income alone. Now, I feel a sense of relief knowing we have enough to last us for a while without me having to worry about where our next meal will come from.This support has eased my worries in so many ways. Knowing that we now have a proper store and a steady supply of food brings a deep sense of stability to our lives. I’m grateful beyond words for this opportunity because it has helped me provide more security and comfort for my family. Now, I can focus on other priorities, like ensuring my children get the best education I can give them.