I manage a shop that sells various products, including groceries. However, the current structure is built with mud, which is temporary and raises concerns about possible break-ins by robbers. To improve its security and durability, I plan to renovate the shop using bricks. To achieve this goal, I intend to obtain sufficient building materials, such as cement, sand, and bricks. This initiative is driven by the need to reinforce the structure, ensure the safety of my inventory, and provide a more secure environment for the business. To finance this renovation project, I have set a monthly savings target, aiming to gradually accumulate the necessary funds until the goal is achieved.

I recently spent $34 from my transfers to cover my daughter's school fees as the new term began. This has significantly reduced the outstanding fee balance and provided me with a sense of tranquility. I now have ample time to prepare for the upcoming payment, ensuring my daughter's education is uninterrupted. Apart from supporting my daughter's education, I also manage a successful poultry project that has proven to be a lucrative investment. Currently, I have 40 birds in stock, and I recently invested $40 in purchasing chicken feed and medicines while seeking veterinary services to maintain their health. This venture has not only generated income but also allowed me to acquire four goats, further diversifying my resources. In addition to my poultry project, I operate a general shop stocked with various products and groceries, which has provided another stream of income. At times, whenever I ran out of stock, selling the chickens has proven to be a reliable source of capital, restocking and reinforcing the sustainability of my shop. Consequently, the well-being of my family has significantly improved, and the challenge of paying for my daughter's education has become more manageable as a result of the proceeds from the shop. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on paying for DStv monthly subscription for my son who operates a movie shop. I am pleased that his shop is now thriving, contributing to his financial independence.

My aspirations involve expanding my current entities. I have a vision to grow the vegetable-selling business into a kiosk. Currently, there are no kiosk shops in my community, and people have to walk more than 20 minutes to reach the trading center. This presents an ideal opportunity for me to enter this business and serve my community. Additionally, I am keen on expanding my livestock holdings to include goats and cows. Through the poultry I am raising, I plan to sell some of them to purchase goats. As the goat herd grows, I intend to sell some to acquire cows eventually. I hope that future cash transfers will continue to support these goals, which are all aimed at generating income to sustain my children's education and relieve some of the financial pressure on my husband.

The cash transfers impact on my life has been truly transformative, beyond my expectations. Initially, these funds enabled me to establish a poultry-keeping venture, which later bore a vegetable-selling business that I now run in our village. Thanks to this support, I can now actively contribute to our family's needs, including food and school fees for my two children. This has lightened the financial burden that was previously solely on my husband's shoulders, and I cannot express enough gratitude for this change. To sustain and expand both of my ventures, I typically allocate a portion of the cash transfers towards acquiring more stock and chickens. Over the past three months, I invested $28 to purchase seven additional layer hens to enhance the flock, which currently numbers at least 40 chickens. I also used $20 to buy more stock for my business, aiming to increase profits and expand the range of items I sell. Furthermore, I allocated $40 to clear outstanding school fee balances for my children, as I am determined not to let them miss classes due to unpaid tuition fees. The remainder of the money was set aside for potential financial emergencies. I am happy that I now have a source of income, can secure my children's education, and even manage to save a small amount for unforeseen expenses.

With a successful business already underway, I am eager to explore poultry farming as an additional income stream, which would enhance my financial stability and meet my needs. Increasing my flock by acquiring additional hens is part of my strategy. By year-end, I expect to have a significant number of hens ready for sale, allowing me to generate a substantial profit. Alongside my poultry venture, I intend to construct a permanent business facility. Concerned about the security of my business from potential looters, I aim to replace the current mud wall structure with a more secure building.

Enrolled in the program, I am now thrilled to have a reliable source of income. Previously, my husband, who works as a public service driver, faced numerous difficulties in meeting our needs. Recognizing the urgency, I promptly established a small kiosk business aimed at covering the mounting family expenses that my meager income could not cover. I am content with the progress I have made so far in achieving financial independence. Over the past few months, my shop has expanded its offerings from vegetables to include food commodities like sugar and maize flour. In May, upon receiving my transfers, I allocated $4 to purchase additional items to enhance my business. In addition to bolstering my enterprise, I used part of the funds to contribute $60 towards my youngest daughter's school fees. She is currently in Form 3 at a school located in Voi town. My husband and I each contributed $3, which facilitated her re-enrollment for the second term. I am overjoyed that our school fee debt has decreased from $110 to $50, allowing her to continue her education while I strive to save and settle the remaining amount. The impact of these transfers on my life has been transformative, and I am immensely grateful for the organization's sincere efforts to uplift those trapped in poverty.

The greatest choice was to open a grocery store because I have seen it succeed. Because of the rising demand for the products, I'm considering growing the enterprise. I therefore want to grow it this year. I am currently running it in a tiny space that cannot hold a significant supply. To be able to provide food for the entire region, my plan is to first extend the room and then increase the stock. I think I can accomplish this within the year if I use the profits in addition to the monthly payments. After that, the proceeds from it, when combined with the money my husband makes from his work as a driver, will be sufficient to support the two of us, our five children, and them.

Initially, I had intended to invest in goats, and I had even purchased a few of them with the first three transfers I had received. Later, I realized that I would have to wait a while before making any money off of them because I would have to wait for them to give birth and the young ones to grow up for over a year. Later, after changing my mind, I sold the goats I had purchased, combined the proceeds to the remaining $34 of a month's disbursements, and started a grocery store with the proceeds. Because people consume them on a daily basis, which makes them move quickly and generates more money, it was the best decision I have ever made, and I am pleased of myself for having done so. I also paid $34 to the school for my kid as she registered for the new school year. Due to the regular disbursements, my income level has increased and our standard of life has increased.

With people receiving this money, the village is thriving, business is opening up, and more commodities that we never used to find around are now accessible. My friend who is my neighbor has opened a business and she is doing great.

Before receiving this transfer I had a grocery shop selling eggplants, cabbage, onions, and tomatoes. The shop was making a profit of $6 a week, I would use the profits to pay school fees and food for my family. I have six children, four are in primary school, one in college, and one cleared school. I pay $100.5 annually for the three children and $430 annually for the child in college. It has not been easy and most of the time I depend on my husband for most of the bills in the house. Immediately after receiving the transfer I took a bus to Mariakani and bought three cocks at$ 3 and three hens at $ 2.5 they will later breed chicks and I would sell them at a profit. I am optimistic that the business will flourish.

I was at my house in the evening at around 8.00 o'clock. cooking supper when I received the M-PESA message. I did not hurry to check because I thought it was a ‘please call’ request from someone. When I checked the message and found it was GiveDirectly’s transfer, I felt happy and grateful.

I have not experienced a big difference in my life because it was my first time. However, I am grateful that the transfer restored my confidence and hope in life. I am a small-scale business owner - operating a grocery business. I used the transfer to boost my business by KES 2000 and bought food worth KES 1000. Promoting my business has since enabled me to have increased income. I can now provide food for my family and cater to other essential needs.

I am a casual laborer depending on the burning of charcoal for survival. I have a family of seven. Three of my five kids are in school while two have completed their studies. Life has not been so easy as the income from my charcoal business is not enough to cater to our basic needs. I thank GiveDirectly for sending me the transfer on time. Using the transfers, I managed to buy food for KES 1000 thereby helping rescue us from hunger. I also boosted my business with KES 2000 for profit maximization.