In the coming year and beyond, I eagerly anticipate returning to school after having to drop out a year ago due to financial constraints arising from other household responsibilities. Thanks to GiveDirectly's remarkable support, I now have a promising milk-selling business that I started and have been funding informal saving groups. With the proceeds from these ventures, I am confident that I will be able to contribute towards paying part of my school fees, finally fulfilling my dream of completing my education.

We are thankful for the exceptional work done by GiveDirectly throughout the program, right from the beginning until the end. The enrollment process was conducted fairly, and although some might have missed out, we all understood that strict criteria were being adhered to. The staff displayed utmost professionalism and treated everyone with respect, fostering a comfortable environment for interaction, inquiry, and receiving detailed explanations. The entire program followed the initial guidelines we had, and we hope that other neighboring villages will also be given the chance to enroll and experience the transformative impact on their families.

Receiving the last transfer from GiveDirectly was a significant moment for me, and I was determined to make the most of it for my family's well-being. Our priorities were clear: first, we settled my daughter's private school tuition arrears of $80, providing her with uninterrupted learning time. Then, we spent $73 on essential food supplies, including a sack of maize and a 25-kg bag of rice, which sustained our family of four for over a month. Seeking long-term sustainability, I invested $75 in purchasing two sheep, hoping they would breed and become a future source of income to cover household expenses and educational costs for my two children. I also expanded the poultry project initiated with the first transfer by acquiring three layers for $11. Moreover, we used $200 to complete the payment for a piece of land my husband had been purchasing, which we have now fenced in and plan to further develop. Additionally, we leased another plot of land for $60 to support our farming practices, and with the remaining $3, we bought and planted maize seeds, which are currently thriving. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support, which enabled me to start a successful milk collection and selling business, ensuring a steady income flow and a reliable food supply for my family. I am truly grateful for the remarkable transformation these transfers have brought into our lives.

At around 4:15 p.m., I received a message confirming the receipt of the first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was at home with my child, who, despite her young age, could tell I was excited. Later, I called my husband and told him the exciting news. He was grateful and thankful for the help that we both believed came when we needed it the most.

The addition of a heifer to my dairy cow and the start of a poultry project are the most noticeable changes in my daily life since receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I have been collecting at least 5 eggs per day, and selling them has been beneficial because I can use the proceeds to buy household goods and pay some bills. I am excited to expand the project in the future to accommodate more birds, and  I am also looking forward to a plentiful supply of milk once the heifers calve and begin producing milk.

We agreed on spending decisions with my husband, who was not at home at the time, immediately after receiving the first transfer. He works as a security guard in Nairobi, and I am grateful that he allowed me to carry out the plans we devised. I spent the first $90 on building materials and labor charges for a chicken coop, which I later added seven more chickens to the three that were already there. I had one dairy cow that produced enough milk for my family during the peak season. To keep it company, I borrowed a heifer from a neighbor, who later hinted at selling it to pay his children's school fees. In preparation for the school's opening, I paid him $160 for the heifer and took possession of it. I hope to increase milk production from the two cows in the future. In addition, I spent $56 on a sack of maize that we use as food, as well as $14 on a 10kg bag of rice for my family. Later, I spent $30 from my current milk business, which I had been collecting from local farmers and selling to restaurants and hotels in nearby shopping malls. Unfortunately, the amount I collect has been decreasing over the last month due to the severe drought that has rendered most livestock unproductive.