With the help of my last three transfers amounting to $102, I was able to seek medication for my leg. This has been a persistent problem, forcing me to use a wheelchair. As per the doctor’s advice, I needed to go for physiotherapy once a week, costing $8 per session. So, I spent two months attending these sessions, which cost me $64. Thankfully, I now see some slight improvements, but I still need more sessions to recover fully. I also run a small kiosk, and with the $28, I decided to boost my stock to serve my customers better. This small investment helped meet their needs and keep my business running smoothly. Lastly, with the remaining $10, I contributed to my family by buying some food. These decisions have been crucial in managing my health and supporting my livelihood.

As I lie at night in my brother’s house, I often dream of the day I will have a place to call my own. The lack of privacy here eats away at my peace of mind, and I yearn for the simple comfort of my space. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, this dream is within reach. Over the past months, I have managed to save enough to buy five iron sheets, and I am determined to build a two-room mud-wall house, which requires a total of 16 iron sheets. Every month, I carefully set aside at least $5, steadily marching toward my goal. In the coming year and beyond, I hope to start constructing my house and finally have a shelter where I can sleep soundly, free from worry. The promise of my own home fills me with hope and drives me forward every day.

My life has undergone a significant transformation since I began receiving cash transfers. Since 2015, my legs have been physically challenged, and I heavily depended on my father to cover my medical needs. Affording the bills was a constant challenge for him, given his constraints with my four younger siblings' school fees, and his income from house construction jobs was not always sufficient. I am grateful because the cash transfers have reduced my reliance on my father, allowing me to cover my medical checkups. Recently, I used $20 to purchase equipment that will aid in my mobility. Additionally, I directed $33 towards buying more stock for the vegetable-selling stand that I initiated through the cash transfers, ensuring that my stock does not run out. I also managed to save $49. My goal is to accumulate at least $120 to undergo the requested leg scanning shortly, as advised by my doctor. I am genuinely happy that the cash transfers have made me more independent, enabling me to run a kiosk to make a living and take charge of my medical needs.

In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to build a house. Currently, my two brothers and I share a shelter, and as we grow older, I feel the need to have my own space. I have taken the initial steps by using some of the cash transfers to purchase building materials like iron sheets. However, I recently had to temporarily put this project on hold and focus on raising money for a scanning procedure. Being physically challenged in my legs, the doctors have recommended a scanning procedure, and I believe that once this is completed, I will be able to resume my mission of building the house. I hope to achieve this goal through the continued support of cash transfers and the little profits I make from my small vegetable-selling business. 

Upon receiving the money from the transfers, I immediately ventured into the business of selling vegetables. Prior to this, I heavily relied on financial support from my father, who earns a modest income from his construction job. However, he always struggled to meet our basic needs, including medical expenses and food. Thankfully, this situation changed when I started my own business. Now, I am able to earn my own income and take care of my own needs. To meet the high demand for vegetables and fruits, I invested $34 to purchase additional stock for my business. Additionally, I allocated a substantial portion of $68 to settle my hospital bill following a regular checkup. Despite being paralyzed in my legs, I am grateful that I have found a means to generate income for myself and reduce my dependence on my father. This positive change in my life is made possible by the financial support from Give Directly.

At present, I find myself in a situation where I am sharing a two-roomed house with my cousins. However, my aspiration is to construct a house of my own. My goal for this year and the years ahead is to initiate the process of building my new home. Having my own house will not only provide me with a comfortable living space, but it will also safeguard my privacy. I am extremely grateful for the financial support that I have received thus far, as it has played a crucial role in ensuring my financial stability. This support has given me the opportunity to work towards achieving my goal of owning a new house. I am truly appreciative of the positive impact this support has had on my life.

Since I have been operating a grocery store for a living and also giving my contribution to the family’s monthly budget. Therefore, I saw it prudent to add more stock to add life to it. When I received the recent transfer, I opted to use $25 in buying more stock for the business. Having a variety of leafy vegetables and fruits in the store attracts more buyers, and the more buyers the higher the profit. As of now, the business is flourishing courtesy of GiveDirectly. This business aids me to provide for my basic needs. For the other $9, I bought some food for the family as my contribution.

Currently, I live in a family house. As an adult, even though I am physically challenged I feel embarrassed to live with my parents under the same roof. Due to this, I have been using part of the GiveDirectly monthly transfers and the profit I get from the grocery to buy some construction materials so that I could build my own house. As of now, I have all the required materials less the iron sheets for roofing. Before the year ends, I would like to have completed my house. I am optimistic that, from transfer savings and the small profit I get, I will be able to purchase the iron sheets as well as construct the house.

I have been buying some building materials every month in order to build myself a house. I'm physically handicapped, and my situation has forced me to stay with my parents for many years. However, I am now of age and I want to enjoy my privacy. Thanks to the recent transfers, I have been able to save and buy some iron sheets and building poles to facilitate the construction. I expect to keep on saving the transfers until I bring the house to completion. Besides this, I also saved a portion of the transfers and bought a wheelchair. This has been the plan for almost six years now and I am glad I got one through the transfers and some support from my parents. I am happy that I can now move freely unlike before when I would struggle to move around using a stick.

At 23, I have been staying in my parent's house and I feel I'm not enjoying my privacy. I am physically handicapped and I depend on the transfer for all my needs. Despite my condition, I am planning to buy some building materials that will enable me to build my house. This is what I aim to achieve in the months to come.

Sidi started a business of selling vegetables which he started with ksh1500 and Use to make a profit of ksh3000 end month.He also used for medical treatment and food.

Givedirectly are doing good work since it change my life.

Immediately after I received my first transfer, I opted to spend it on boosting my grocery business. Although it was operational, I did not have adequate stock since I over-relied on it. More often, I was withdrawing cash from it for our household use. Currently, I can always raise a net profit of KES 200 daily. This goes a long way in supporting us in terms of acquiring food and other family needs. The business goes a long way in supporting our large family of seven.

Because I had been longing to improve my business, with the transfer I was able to fulfill that goal. I could restock my grocery shop comfortably. This has improved my business, and I can always raise KES 200 net profit daily. I am also hopeful that soon it is going to perform better. It has therefore created a big difference in my life. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for choosing to help me.

Since I am crippled and unable to engage in any other form of work, I opted to run my grocery business. On the day transfers were sent, I was in my shop. Surprisingly, at around 8 pm, one of my neighbors came and shared with me the good news that the transfers had been sent. Upon hearing that news, I felt so excited and good because I knew I would finally boost my business that had not been performing well.