I plan on starting a small kiosk that will help me make money as a sustainable venture. This is really important to me because I have three children in school, and I hope to be able to take them through their education without any financial strain.To gather the capital for this business, I will tend to my goats. Once they have multiplied, I plan to sell some of them to get the money I need to start the kiosk. I'm really glad that one of the goats has already given birth, and I'm looking forward to seeing more kids in the near future.

Receiving a lumpsum amount of money from GiveDirectly has been a life-changing experience for me and my family. Unlike smaller amounts, this significant sum allowed us to plan and invest in things that truly make a difference. One of the most impactful purchases I've made is a bed. For the first time in my life, I can now sleep on a bed, which is a profound improvement in my daily comfort and overall well-being. What I appreciate most about GiveDirectly's approach is the autonomy they grant recipients. Everything about the program was well-explained, ensuring that we understood how to manage the funds effectively. The program works wonderfully as it is, and I wouldn't change a thing about it. The trust and respect GiveDirectly shows us by allowing us to manage our own financial decisions are both empowering and impactful.

Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly has truly transformed my life and the lives of my family members. First, I used $125 to buy a bed and a mattress, which has been a significant improvement from sleeping on the floor. I then spent $115 to repair my kitchen roof by replacing the old reeds with iron sheets,This repair has made the kitchen safer and more functional, especially during the rainy season. I had accumulated a lot of school fee arrears for my children and I used $85 to pay off these fees, ensuring my children can now attend school without any interruptions. It brings me great joy to see them going to school without the constant worry of being sent home due to unpaid fees. Additionally, I invested $55 in purchasing two goats which are valuable assets as they multiply quickly and can be sold in case of an emergency in the future, providing financial security for my family. Finally, I used the remainder of the money to buy essential household food items and to grind maize at the maize mill. This has ensured that we have enough food to sustain us and has also saved us time and effort. Overall, the cash transfer has not only improved our living conditions but also provided us with a sense of security and hope for the future.

I was on my farm preparing the land for planting when a message popped up on my phone. Upon reading it, I realized that an amount of $550 had been sent to my phone, but at that time, I was not quite certain it was from GiveDirectly. Later that evening, when I got home, my sister-in-law and two other people confirmed that they had received a similar amount. This is when I knew that GiveDirectly had sent the first cash transfer. I was very happy because I had never owned such an amount of money before. I began thinking about how I could build a new house, something I had always wished for.

Of course, life is different now, in a better way, to say the least. As a parent, it always stressed me when my children were constantly sent home from school to collect school fees. I would always be worried about where and how I would raise the money to cover those debts. I am relieved that the situation is different now. With the transfers, I was able to settle most of the school fee debts, and all my five children have not missed a day of school.

Raising five school-going children by myself posed a number of challenges, including the inability to cover their tuition debts and provide them with decent shelter from the little income I made from making charcoal. Our house had a palm-leaf roof that deteriorated over time and leaked whenever it rained. This not only exposed the family to cold infections, but I also feared it would ruin the maize produce we had stored in the space. So, I bought 20 iron sheets for $230 to repair the roof. I am happy that the house is now well-roofed and protected. As an investment, I also bought three goats for $105. When these goats reproduce, I can sell them to raise school fees for my children in the future. I also set aside $150 to cover tuition debts that had been pending since the year began. My children were always being sent home from school because of these debts, and I am happy that this is no longer the case. Lastly, I spent the remaining funds on school uniforms for two of my children, who used to wear casual clothes to school, and bought second-hand clothes for all the children to replace the tattered ones. With the transfers, I am less stressed now because I know my children’s education is catered for and my house is in better condition.