Expanding my chicken business has long been a cherished ambition, but financial constraints often held me back. Now, I am thrilled that I can turn this dream into reality using the profits from my current business. I also have plans to open a retail shop at the center of our community to boost my family's income. Achieving financial stability for my loved ones through these endeavors brings me great joy and relief. With hard work, dedication, and the support of my family and community, I am confident that a brighter future is on the horizon.

Nothing excites me more than the unconditional nature of GiveDirectly transfers. It is an excellent strategy because family needs vary greatly within a community, and these transfers have had a transformative impact. They have alleviated many of our financial burdens and served as catalysts for expanding businesses and acquiring assets.

Our family's livelihood primarily relies on chicken trading, a business that we run with passion. The satisfaction that comes from knowing our business is thriving and providing for our family of six is immeasurable. However, family needs can at times be overwhelming and, therefore, require support. I am glad GiveDirectly came through for us. When I received the transfers, I spent $40 on purchasing beehives, $30 on household goods, and $70 on maize for my family. I also paid $200 in school fees for my children in grades 9 and 12. For the rest of the transfers, I saved for emergencies. I am now happy that my family is financially stable and food-secure.

Due to the high cost of living, my existing business has not been particularly profitable, therefore I am hoping to open a kiosk shop that will provide me with extra income. I believe I'll be able to do this in the next three to four months owing to my meagre resources. I won't need to take out loans in the future to cover my children's education expenses and to care for their basic needs once I'm able to accomplish this.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by first assembling us and politetalkingked to us about their intention. Their mode of operation is also unique from the previous NGOs that have been around, they made us feel valued and appreciated. Currently, 99%of us have assets and managed to send our children to school, unlike before whereby it was a real struggle. Therefore from what I saw, I suggest that they should continue with the good job they are doing and no need to change.

As a mother of three kids, two of them are in form one and four, respectively. The costs for their education and meeting their necessities was a difficult task for me. This is because my spouse doesn't have a steady source of income and I also rely on my side hustle of selling vegetables and fruits. I, therefore, decided to pay the $200 arrears after getting my recent cash. To make sure that the future educational journey is not significantly disrupted, I had to give this top priority. Additionally, it inspires them because they have constantly been on and off. I then purchased wire mesh to assist me to fence my land. Every planting season, my neighbour's cattle invade my farm and damage my crops, and I was sick of it. The entire process came to close to $70. I also had the passion to practice beekeeping as well but I lacked the funds to start with the necessary supplies. This was the ideal time for me since I was able to acquire all that is needed, and sooner or later I am confident that I will begin purposefully harvesting honey for use by my family, which will strengthen their immune systems. I used the last bit of money to buy food for the family, which is crucial to preventing hunger in my home.

Around 3:00 p.m., I received a message on my phone confirming that I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was alone at home at the time, having just returned from the farm a few minutes ago. The situation was concerning because I didn't have anything to cook for the day, and I was deep in thought, trying to figure out how to ensure my family had something to eat. When I read the message, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude to God for answering my prayer at just the right time. I immediately called my husband to share the good news, and he advised me to buy the basics and wait until the following day to collect the remaining amount from the nearby shopping center.

Paying school fees for my two sons has posed a significant challenge ever since they started secondary school. However, for the first time, I was able to fully settle their fees before they were sent home, thanks to the first transfer I received from GiveDirectly. The biggest difference in my daily life is being able to provide enough food for my family of six after fulfilling the school fee obligation. I no longer worry about what to cook for my family, as I have purchased an ample supply of maize and can still afford to buy additional groceries using the earnings from casual labor.

As a dedicated mother, I firmly believe in hard work and taking responsibility for providing my children with education and sufficient food when they return home. Despite the challenges posed by severe and prolonged droughts, which forced us to sell our assets, including livestock, I have remained determined to seek daily wage labor every morning. However, finding work has been difficult, especially when the farms are not operating. GiveDirectly has reignited our hope for transforming our lives. With the first transfer, we have already achieved significant milestones. I used $100 to pay tuition fees for my two sons, one in ninth grade and the other in twelfth grade. Additionally, I purchased a sack of dry maize grains for $70, ensuring our family of six will have enough food for the entire month before the second transfer arrives. Currently, I am managing an acre of millet farm, and while it can be overwhelming, I am grateful that GiveDirectly's assistance allowed me to hire a labor force for $30 to clear the weeds. I am immensely thankful for GiveDirectly's support and eagerly anticipate further positive changes with the second transfer.