Since we are faced with water scarcity in our area, I developed a goal towards the same and I plan to see it coming to pass. The next move that I aim to accomplish is to fix fresh tap water at my home. Currently, we have to move to a longer distance of almost 90 minutes to get to a water point. Apart from the distance, it is also expensive to buy some water every day. From my boutique business, I make some savings to accomplish the same probably before the year ends.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did very well by allowing us to choose how to spend the money. I was able to start a business that has been aiding me to provide for my family. This liberty of deciding on my own how to spend the cash, has impressed me and I am grateful for the organization. Without the freedom to choose how to spend the money, maybe my satisfaction and happiness level would not have hit this notch. Sincerely, I did not find anything that GiveDirectly did not do well.

When I received the second transfer, the priority was to settle my son's college debt. He completed his course but since he had some fee arrears he was denied his academic certificates. Therefore, I saw it prudent to pay the required $200 to the college. Currently, my son is happy since he got his academic papers and this gives me peace of mind because his happiness relieves me. Thereafter, I opted to start a boutique business so that I could multiply the money I got from GiveDirectly. By so doing I could have an income-generating activity to aid me in providing for my family's needs. I used $200 to launch and start the operations. I chose this line of business because it is less risky compared to shops for selling foodstuff and it also has a good profit. As of now, I am a happy entrepreneur and my business is doing well. For the remaining amount, I bought some food for my family.

I saw the message on my phone late in the evening, My phone had been off for the better part of the day. I have been waiting to receive the money to start a clothing business that could at least serve as a source of income for me. I was greatly overjoyed because my dream of starting the business came true through the transfer. I thanked GiveDirectly for the financial support which has uplifted me from burning charcoal to selling clothes.

Before the coming of GiveDirectly, I did not have a stable source of income that could ensure that I adequately fulfil my family's basic needs. I was doing manual jobs and selling charcoal which pays little. This could not fend for my household needs like food and fees for my children. My desire was to at least start a small business that could ensure cash flow but I lacked the starting capital. I am grateful to GiveDirectly because through the transfer, I invested Ksh. 20000 in clothes business which I am expecting some good returns once it thrives. Through the income from the business, I believe I will be able to cater for my needs with ease, which makes it to be the biggest difference in my daily life.

My son had completed his high school and did well in his examination but his certificates were withheld because of fee arrears. For this reason, he could not secure a job that would require his high school certificate. When I received the transfer, I cleared the arrears which amounted to Ksh. 20000. I am glad that he was given his certificates after paying the fee balance. He is now in a position to apply for any job that calls for the certificates. Apart from this, I also spent Ksh. 20000 and invested in a clothes business. I have been doing charcoal burning as a source of livelihood for many years which has even affected my health. My husband also relies on casual jobs with little pay and are hard to find. It was really difficult to fend for my family's basic needs through the charcoal business and my husband's casual jobs. Starting the clothes business has changed our lives since we now have a stable source of income to rely on. I am planning to invest more in this business which has greatly helped me settle my family's needs like school fees for my children. I spent the remaining amount on buying enough foodstuffs which include a bag of maize and vegetables that could take us for some weeks.