In the upcoming year, I am filled with hope and determination as I plan to venture into the retail business. This endeavor is not just a personal goal; it is a means to provide for my family of four. To set this plan into motion, I have allocated a capital of $300. To secure this capital, I will rely on the profits from my existing honey business, a trade I have diligently nurtured. Additionally, I plan to sell some of our goats, which will contribute to the funds needed to launch the retail business. My ultimate goal is to ensure that the profits generated from this new venture can be channeled towards supporting my family. As the business grows, I am committed to making it a reliable source of income that will help us secure a more stable and prosperous future.

GiveDirectly's act of giving has brought about remarkable transformations in the lives of countless families. Through these generous gestures, families have achieved significant milestones such as constructing homes, covering essential medical expenses, acquiring valuable assets, ensuring a regular food supply, and providing for their children's education. The positive impact has been immeasurable, and it is heartening to witness the tangible improvements in these households. As of now, everything is flourishing, and the current approach to giving is working effectively. There is no immediate need for change, as the outcomes have been consistently positive, and these acts of kindness have truly made a difference in the lives of those in need.

When the much-awaited transfers finally came through, a sense of relief washed over me. It felt like a ray of hope in a time when my family's living conditions were far from ideal, and it was high time to make some significant changes. With unwavering determination, I spent $160 on iron sheets, an investment I envisioned using to construct a two-room house. This step was not just about improving our shelter; it was a giant leap towards providing my family with a more comfortable and secure living space, one where we could truly call home. Education has always held a place of utmost importance in my heart. With that deep sentiment in mind, I committed $100 for school fees. It was a pledge to ensure that my daughter, who was diligently working her way through grade 10, could continue her studies without interruption and that her dreams could thrive. To keep our family of four well-fed, I set aside $80 for two bags of maize, and $20 was allocated for household goods. The rest of the funds were saved for future construction, a testament to my unwavering commitment to building a brighter and more secure future for my family.

In the years to come, I have a vision of establishing a small shop in my village. This endeavor has great potential, as our village currently lacks any such convenience, forcing residents to take long journeys to make purchases. By setting up this shop, I will be generating additional income alongside the proceeds from the cow I own. With this combined income, I'll be able to secure a quality education for my three children without struggling since I believe they have a bright future through education.

In my opinion, GD has truly excelled in providing unconditional transfers that empower us to allocate the transfer according to our unique priorities. Among the many positive aspects of this transfer, what struck me the most was witnessing children who had been forced to abandon their education due to financial constraints being able to resume their schooling. The restoration of their educational journey is a heartwarming testament to the impact and importance of these transfer.

It has always been difficult to navigate the route of a single parent raising three kids, especially given my meager income from my poultry business, which consists of buying chickens and then selling them at a neighbouring market. This endeavour yields $50 per month, which proves insufficient for the comprehensive needs of my family. The recent transfer emerged as a much-needed support, providing a solution to some pressing matters. I thought it was wise to buy a cow worth $200. This acquisition promises a consistent income stream through milk production, enabling me to reliably cover my children's school fees and meet their daily requirements. Moreover, I allocated $200 to procure 20 iron sheets, marking the initiation of a long-held aspiration to construct a more spacious dwelling comprising two rooms. The existing single-room house is no longer adequate for my rapidly growing children and me. The house will also enable me to host visitors comfortably without worrying about where they will sleep if they visit. I am also pleased to note that the remaining funds have facilitated the purchase of food, contributing to our sustenance. A ray of optimism for a better future has emerged as a result of constructive events. Thank you, GD.

It was around 2 p.m., and I was at the farm when I received an SMS notice. Since I have a tendency to review all incoming messages, this particular instance was no exception. I was very delighted to learn that GiveDirectly had finally kept their word after reading it.

The most significant change in my everyday life is that I am now able to pay my children's school fees. I am happy that I managed to pay off a portion of their debt, even if I was unable to pay off all of their arrears. This has provided me with the opportunity to hustle and save money for their tuition and other investments. Typically, I trade in chicken and honey. I used to utilize the meager money I usually make to buy food and other necessities like clothes and to pay my kids' tuition at school. I'm overjoyed that the move allowed me to lower my school debt and gave me time to look for more money.

Two of my kids are in eighth grade, and my daughter is a senior. The children were ordered back home to pick up their outstanding tuition fees after the school administrators became aware that a GiveDirectly transfer had been sent out. Mine were not an exception, and I'm glad the transfer was useful. I promised to use my second batch of transfers to settle the remaining balance, so I used KES 10,000 from it to cover a portion of their tuition. In addition, I invested KES 6,000 in a sack of maize for our sustenance and KES 2000 in a goat for pet ownership. This is a new addition to my herd, which I will eventually sell and use the income to pay for my kids' tuition.