With the acquisition of a sewing machine, my aspirations for this year revolve around expanding my skills and knowledge in the field of design and clothing repair. I am determined to enroll in training classes, as this passion has always burned within me, and I am eager to turn it into a viable means of livelihood. By investing in further education and honing my craft, I hope to carve a path where I can not only express my creativity but also build a sustainable career.

Give Directly has successfully implemented measures to ensure that we are utilizing the unconditional transfers in the most effective manner. They have demonstrated their commitment to transparency and accountability by conducting regular follow-ups, making in-person visits to our households, and conducting phone surveys. These efforts have not only fostered a sense of trust but have also provided an avenue for financial literacy and responsibility.

One of the first decisions I made was to invest in a sewing machine with $ 220 from the unconditional transfers, opening the doors to a new business venture. I had always possessed a passion for sewing, and now, armed with the necessary equipment, I could turn my passion into a viable source of income. This investment gave me a newfound sense of purpose and the confidence to pursue my entrepreneurial dreams. I allocated $50 to purchase food. No longer would my family have to worry about going hungry or compromising our nutrition. The security of having enough food on our table allowed us to focus on other aspects of our lives. Education has always held a special place in my heart and providing access to quality education is a priority for me.so I dedicated $ 100 to pay the school fees for my two high school children who been out of school for a while. I set aside $ 50 to purchase new clothes. These garments not only enhanced our appearances but also boosted our self-confidence. The pride we felt in our appearance radiated outward, positively influencing our interactions with others. Lastly, I made a conscious decision to save $ 30 for the future. The importance of having a financial safety net cannot be overstated. By setting aside a portion of the transfers, I was ensuring that my family and I would have a cushion to fall back on during unforeseen circumstances. This act of saving instilled a sense of responsibility and a long-term perspective in managing our finances.

My goal for the upcoming year is to enhance my skills in tailoring, with a focus on men's clothing and school uniforms due to their high demand. To accomplish this, I plan to find a skilled mentor to assist me and will pay for their guidance in regular installments. I am deeply grateful for the financial assistance that has provided me with much-needed support.

I believe that the aid provided by GiveDirectly greatly improved our quality of life and had a transformative impact on our community. They offered equal support and empowerment to everyone, without any discrimination. The awareness sessions they conducted at the village level were highly informative, particularly about the security of Mpesa, and helped us to guard against fraudsters. I did not observe any shortcomings or lack of integrity in their efforts.

When GiveDirectly promised me financial aid, I saw it as the perfect chance to improve my life. Despite my long-standing passion for tailoring, the expenses of my children's schooling had made it difficult for me to pursue it. Alongside farming, I occasionally sell honey, onions, and tomatoes at the Koriema shopping center. My husband serves as a police officer, and we have six children together. Using the second transfer, I put $100 towards a sewing machine that I had already begun to pay for with the initial transfer. Additionally, I invested $160 to fence my land and plant grass to feed my cows. Lastly, I bought a bag of maize, beans, and other food items. Without the transfer, none of this would have been feasible, and I remain immensely grateful for the life-changing opportunity it gave us.

I vividly recall it was around 4 pm when my relative, who's a neighbour, called and asked if I had received money from GiveDirectly. This came as a surprise to me seeing I had not checked my phone. I rushed to pick up my phone, went through the messages, and confirmed truly there was money sent. I was filled with joy because I knew this would help me accomplish my dream, of owning a sewing machine. I'm grateful for the support that the organization has shown and empowered us.

I always had a vision of setting up a tailoring business which was revived because of the unconditional support from GiveDirectly's cash. Soon as I'm done paying for the sewing machine, I can operate my business and earn extra cash. I am forever thankful for this support which gives birth to me earning an extra income.

On the day I received the transfer, I was stressed out due to the lack of money to buy the next meal. I had nothing at hand. Upon receipt of my transfer, I sent $36 through a mobile money transfer to our local shopkeeper at our Korma Shopping Centre for foodstuff. Words couldn't express my gratitude. I was elated with joy. I depend on irrigation water on my farm and this had been stopped for a while. I also paid $50 to buy a sewing machine that'd help me start my own business. I have five children, I spent $80 to buy clothes for them, and the remaining amount was saved to help with our daily upkeep. This would have been impossible before because of school fees responsibility on my husband and me. I'm thankful to GiveDirectly for the support which has uplifted my family.