I'm currently enrolled in an electrical wiring course, and I truly believe it's going to change my life for the better. Because of this, I'm determined to focus all my energy on my coursework to ensure I excel. Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to concentrate fully on my studies. To make this possible, I am planning to spend my transfer to pay for my school fees. This way, I'll have a peaceful environment and ample time to dedicate myself to my studies without worrying about financial constraints. This is my singular goal for the upcoming year and beyond

My brother and mother put in a lot of effort to help pay for my college. Mom works hard as a peasant farmer and also sells charcoal to support our family. When I joined the Givedirectly program, it really helped us out financially. So, I suggested to Mom that she could use the extra money she earns from her other jobs to support my siblings. When I received my recent transfers, I used $68 to cover my college fees and used the remaining $34 to buy hybrid seeds that I planted. Since farming is essential for our family's survival, I wanted to support Mom in growing more food for all of us to eat.

My aspirations are tied to building a sustainable future for myself through poultry farming. While I am currently in college, I recognize the importance of laying the groundwork for financial stability once I graduate. My plan involves utilizing the monthly cash assistance from GiveDirectly to save up and kickstart my poultry farming project. With diligent care and strategic planning, I aim to grow my poultry business to the point where I can exchange the chickens for goats, gradually building up assets that will serve as a foundation for my future endeavors. This venture represents not only a means of income but also a pathway towards self-sufficiency and independence as I navigate my journey beyond college.

I've faced many hurdles on my journey through education, relying heavily on my elder brother's sporadic income for financial support. When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly where it needed to go. With $40 in hand, I immediately put it towards my college fees for my electrical engineering program. It was a weight off my shoulders knowing that I could continue my education without burdening my brother, who tirelessly worked odd jobs to support us. Those funds not only secured my future but also relieved the financial strain on my family. Additionally, the $34.7 I allocated for a Christmas celebration brought unparalleled joy and warmth to my family. Gathered with my siblings and parents, we embraced the festive spirit wholeheartedly, dancing and giving thanks for our blessings. It was more than just a celebration; it was a reaffirmation of our bond and resilience in the face of adversity. Furthermore, the recent $23 provided crucial support during my time in school, ensuring I could afford necessities like food and study materials. With each passing day, I am reminded of the importance of perseverance and gratitude as I strive not only to build a brighter future for myself but also to honor the sacrifices of those who have supported me along the way.

My goal is to secure a stable source of income once I complete my college education in December next year to alleviate financial challenges. To achieve this, I plan to expand my chicken-rearing project by investing in the purchase of improved chicken breeds and constructing additional coops. I am committed to channeling a greater portion of my monthly transfers towards the success of this project, ensuring its growth and profitability, ultimately providing me with the financial stability I desire.

I used the GiveDirectly money strategically to secure a brighter future. As a student approaching the final stages of my education, I recognized the importance of having a source of income upon graduation. I allocated a portion of $10 of the transfers to invest in my future by purchasing two chickens to add to my existing flock. This small poultry project has been flourishing, providing a potential income stream. Additionally, I borrowed funds to cover my school fees, ensuring the continuation of my education, and later repaid the debt with $10. With careful financial planning, I saved $10 for future needs and allocated $4.70 towards purchasing food. I am immensely grateful for GiveDirectly's support, as it has not only eased my financial burden but also empowered me to take meaningful steps towards financial independence.

My goal was to be one of the greatest livestock rearers in the area. After reflecting on the situation at my home, I wanted to start a project that would help generate income for my family so that they would no longer experience the financial challenges and they had before. I had so far started buying livestock (chicken and goats) with part of my previous transfers, and my focus is to continue saving on most months as I also buy the livestock on some of the months.

I am currently a student at a college in Mombasa training in electrical wiring, I have been struggling to make my college life a bit bearable, but it had never been easy. My parents do not have an income and my siblings who I relied on also had other responsibilities to take care of. It had been a great struggle till GiveDirectly came in and made the situation a bit relaxed because the transfers had so far played a great role. With the most recent ones, I spent $10 on buying my school items such as books and I also managed to acquire a school ID that was required. I also managed to buy food worth $14.70 and saved the remaining amount of $10 in my savings group and so far I am grateful.

I made the decision to save up the money I was getting from the organization throughout last year in order to eventually be able to go to college. I had completely given up hope because we had no money before GiveDirectly gave me the chance to return to school. In order to continue my education and acquire the skills necessary to take care of myself and my family, I have this year's plan in place. Once I enroll in the school, I will use my funds to pay for the subsequent terms. After that, I'm hoping to use the remaining funds to purchase a couple of goats and poultry.

I completed my secondary education in March of last year, but I was unable to receive my certificate until I paid the $83 outstanding tuition balance that I owed the institution. My mother, who was in charge of paying my tuition, works as a domestic worker, but her pay is insufficient to cover all of our living expenses as well as my sibling's and my school expenses. On the other hand, my father is quite elderly and also has two more wives who depend on him. The best thing that ever happened to me was when I signed up for the program. I've been paying $20 every month to the school since I started getting the money, and by December of last year, I had paid off the debt. I'm glad that in addition to having my certificate, I have also enrolled in college to take an electrical installation course. The $14 that's left over was mainly spent on food and a few clothes. I'm relieved that when I start college this year, I won't have to worry about finding a budget for quality clothes. I will pay a portion of the $510 annual college fee out of my transfers each month, with my mother covering the remainder. Since I would not have been able to pursue the course and, perhaps, have a better life in the future without the organization, I will always be grateful to them.

In my opinion, one of Give Directly’s great jobs is giving out money to people regardless of their tribe or race. The organization has a no-favoritism policy that ensures everyone in the village is considered for cash transfers without leaving anyone behind. There is nothing wrong I can pinpoint that could be rectified in the organization’s operations. 

In 2020, my mother lost her house managing job owing to the emergence of the coronavirus pandemic. This marked the start of hardships in the household since she was the breadwinner. She could no longer financially support my high school education. The only hope for my academic progression was the government-issued bursaries that I had applied for; luckily they proved useful. However, I had to sell my entire herd of goats to supplement the grunt fund. I am glad that I graduated from secondary school six months ago with no outstanding fee balances. Since then, my desire has always been to start rearing livestock but financial constraints have barred me. Gladly, Give Directly presented an opportune deal to actualize this wish. That is why I spent KES 2,500 on a goat to start the rearing journey. Also, I gave out KES 300 as church tithes. Being a Christian, I feel obliged to bear 10% of every money I earn for offerings, and the transfer felt like an income to me. I used the remaining amount on personal essentials like sugar and sanitary supplies because I had run out. 

I received the cash transfer at 7.22 p.m. while I was taking dinner with my family. At first, I thought that someone had mistakenly sent money to my phone. I stood still for around 15 minutes to peruse through the contents of the message and realized it had been sent from Give Directly. To ensure I was not mistaken, I took my father’s phone, who is also a recipient, and checked if he had received his share as well. Upon confirming that indeed Give Directly had sent the transfer, I was ecstatic. Thank you Give Directly!

The greatest difference that the transfer has brought to my life is financial independence. Before, I used to rely on my mother for every need; be it food or clothing. Now, I can afford things on my own without necessarily having to request money from her. I am confident that the upcoming transfers will allow me to take care of my younger brother who is currently in grade four.

After I graduated from high school in March this year, the next step was to pursue an electrical training course from January next year. However, from what my mother makes as a house-help, it is challenging to save for my studies after spending her income on basic needs like food. To ensure that I have a steady supply of income while in school, I decided to invest in livestock keeping. After all, I had sold all my chickens to raise funds for my high school fees over the last four years. So, I am certain, that this venture will undoubtedly see me through college as well. This is why I spent KES 500 from the cash transfer to purchase two hens to start rearing. I also paid a registration fee of KES 200 to the school and am expecting to join in January 2023. The reason for registering this early for admission was to obtain a letter from the college to back my bursary application from the government offices. I saved the remaining amount to help me secure studying materials when the time comes.