My current priority is to fund my children's education. Three of them are in primary school and must pay at least KES 2,000 every term, while the fourth is in form two and should pay at least KES 4,000. Besides burning charcoal, I plan to finance their school tuition by selling milk from the dairy cows I purchased through Give Directly cash transfers. Furthermore, when these livestock multiply, more money will be generated from selling them. 

I applaud Give Directly for providing unconditional financial help to the neediest members of society. The money has drastically transformed my family and our lives in general. Unlike in the past, my household now has decent chairs, beddings, and livestock courtesy of Give Directly.  In addition, since I began receiving the transfer, my children have never skipped a class. Nothing, in my opinion, could be changed as far as the organization's operations go. 

Being my sole source of income, burning charcoal hardly covers all the household's basic needs like food and school fees for my four children. My husband and I earn at most KES 2,500 after every two weeks from this exercise, which is not enough given the current tough economy. To supplement these earnings, I have always desired to raise dairy cattle whose milk I could sell for a profit. Also, when the cows multiply, it will be simple to sell some of them in the future to help finance my children's education. This is why I spent KES 20,000 from the transfer to purchase a dairy cow in addition to one I had obtained via the initial cash transfer. I also purchased a goat for KES 3,000 in order to expand my livestock herd and help to generate money in future when it reproduces.  My form two daughter, on the other hand, had missed school for a whole week owing to outstanding fee arrears. Her primary school siblings were also being sent home to collect up unpaid debts. As a result, I was urged to spend KES 20,000 settling these deficits and pre-paying tuition for the upcoming academic term as a precaution. I spent KES 4,500 on a new mattress for my three children. The old one was tearing and growing mold due to the younger kids' frequent bed-wetting. I spent the remaining amount on food to alleviate the hunger that was becoming a concern in the household. 

I was at home preparing lunch for my family. I was with my spouse and children when we heard the good news about the receipt of the transfers from neighbors. I decide to confirm the Mpesa balance on my phone if I had received it too. I was shocked with disbelief after I saw the money on my account. Joy filled our house that moment for receiving our transfer since we had eagerly awaited the transfer to solve our financial problems. We had to plan well with my family members before we could withdraw our transfer.

Being able to purchase proper bedding for my family is the biggest difference in my life. Previously, we were using old mattresses that we not comfortable and my kids were ever complaining of backaches. In addition, it was embarrassing whenever I received important visitors. I had to look for a place at our neighbor's house for them to rest. I am thankful for the aid.

I spent KES 22500 of my transfer to boost my livestock rearing by purchasing one cow and one goat. This will ensure that I have a constant supply of milk for my kids as well as long-term savings for their education. I am intending to sell the offspring once they start to reproduce. In addition, I bought 3 mattresses for KES 14,500. These were proper beddings for my family because we were using old and worn-out beddings which were not comfortable. I also saved KES 24,000 that I am planning to use in clearing the fee arrears for my 5 children once the school reopens.