In the next four to five months, my main goal is to secure funds through microfinance, or chamas, to borrow loans and kickstart a business focused on selling milk. As I currently find myself jobless, this venture represents a beacon of hope and an opportunity to improve my financial situation and create a sustainable income source. With a passion for entrepreneurship and a desire to contribute to my community, I envision this milk-selling business not only supporting my livelihood but also positively impacting the local economy. I am optimistic that I can overcome the challenges of unemployment and transform my aspirations into a thriving reality.

Through their unconditional cash transfer, I was able to acquire valuable assets that have improved my family's livelihood. But what impressed me the most was the proper instruction they provided on how to manage and secure the money. They equipped me with essential financial knowledge, empowering me to make informed decisions for a brighter future. Additionally, the guidance on maneuvering the Mpesa platform was immensely helpful, making it convenient and safe to access and utilize the funds. Thanks to GiveDirectly for what they did in my life.

Receiving the cash was a blessing that transformed my family's living conditions from misery to hope. With the pressing need to escape the perilous state of our small and crumbling house, I wisely allocated around $350 to purchase essential building materials. Iron sheets, poles, timber, and nails became the foundation of a new and sturdy house that would not only shelter us from the elements but also provide a safe space for cooking and storing grains. The new house brought a sense of privacy, dignity, and joy back to our lives, allowing my family of four to live with renewed hope for a better future. In addition to the home improvements, I used a portion of the cash transfer to purchase household items such as sufuiras and basins, easing the burden of borrowing from neighbors for basic necessities. This newfound self-reliance filled us with a sense of empowerment and independence. With the remaining cash, I prioritized securing our nutritional needs by buying enough food to sustain us for a month. My spouse, who had been earning a meager income as a herdsman, felt the relief of not having to worry about food scarcity anymore. With the ability to enjoy at least two meals a day, our health improved, and we gained the strength to face life's challenges with renewed resilience.

I had finished preparing supper at around 8 when I was informed by one of my sons that I had received my first cash transfer. At first, I thought it was a prank, but after confirming it for the second time, I realized that it was true. I jumped up and down like a baby; you can imagine the excitement. I was positive that with the transfers I would be able to build my dream house.

My spouse and I have been depending on the charcoal business, which is time-consuming as well as low-paying. In a day, we would make $2, which was not even enough to sustain our daily basic needs. This makes it evident that it would take years for us to construct a better house using our cash. As the days went by, I became hopeless since I couldn't see any light ahead. The challenges I have been through of sleeping at my mother-in-law's house in case it rains have made me unable to endure them any longer. Secondly, I never enjoyed my marriage since there was no privacy for my children, who were all teenagers. I am now feeling relaxed and happier for this positive change the organization has brought to my entire life. I can sleep comfortably in my room, and my children have their own separate rooms. There is peace in my homestead as well as joy, courtesy of GiveDirectly.

For the past four years, I have been undergoing a lot of challenges, especially concerning the state of my house. It was so pathetic in such a way that it would collapse at any time. Therefore, I spent a better percentage of the first transfer on buying all the necessary materials, like iron sheets and timber, among others. This posted around $460 together with the labor charges. I had intended to build a new house to upgrade the initial one, which was not in good shape. Also, it only had a single room, so it could hardly accommodate my entire extended family. Sometimes, whenever we experienced heavy downpours, I had to sleep at my mother-in-law's house with the children, leaving my spouse behind to look after our properties. As a result, he could regularly fall sick. Finally, I have been buying food with the remaining money. This has made my family more energetic, especially my children, who have become more active in school than before.