Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, I am excited to share my aspirations for a new chapter in my life. My focus centers on launching a business centered around selling charcoal and firewood, with plans to kickstart it as soon as next month using my hard-earned savings. This venture not only promises to provide a steady income but also holds the potential to create a positive impact on my community by catering to a basic need. With dedication and the desire to succeed, I am confident that my determination will propel me towards the achievement of this goal, allowing me to secure a more prosperous future for myself and those around me.

I am living a new reality thanks to GiveDirectly's unconditional money transfer. The house I now proudly own is a testament to their incredible support. With their assistance, I managed to purchase the materials needed to construct a secure and comfortable home. This house is not just a structure; it's a symbol of stability and peace for me and my family. GiveDirectly has excelled at empowering individuals like me to improve our living conditions and secure a better future. Their generosity has given me the opportunity to provide a safe haven for my loved ones, and I can't express enough how grateful I am for their transformative impact on my life.

Receiving my second unconditional cash transfer was a true blessing. I knew exactly how I wanted to allocate it to secure a better future for my children. Firstly, I paid the mason, who had diligently constructed our house, a sum of $120. Having a stable home has been a dream, and this payment not only fulfilled my obligation but also brought a sense of pride as I looked at the walls that would now protect my family. I then decided to invest in our future. I purchased a goat for $40, which might not seem like much, but I see it as a long-term investment. My children are still in the lower grades, and by the time they reach higher levels of education, I hope to have a small herd of goats. Selling them will not only secure their educational future but also provide for our day-to-day needs. Speaking of which, I paid off the school fees for my three children, who had been consistently sent home due to arrears, affecting their performance. It was a relief to see them return to the classroom without any worries. Finally, I bought food to ensure my family had nutritious meals. Being a single mother working in a quarry, every bit of help counts, and this unconditional cash transfer has given my family a ray of hope for a better future.

I recall it being around 4 p.m. when I received my transfer. I was at the shopping centre where I own a store. The phone was in charge. When I decided to confirm the percentage of the charge, I received a Mpesa text message indicating that I had received money from GiveDirectly. It filled me with joy and happiness because I knew that I would be able to carry out my plans. I am grateful for the transfer that has had a positive impact on our lives.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am about to reap a bountiful harvest. This is because I invested in farming. Additionally, I am relieved because I was able to pay off a pending debt. I am grateful for the support provided by GiveDirectly.

I own a retail store in the shopping mall. This is my primary source of revenue. In addition, I work as a farmer. I am not married. I knew as soon as I received my transfer that this was the best opportunity for me to use my money wisely. As a result, I spent $300 to construct a house. This is because my previous house was small, and I also desired to relocate for personal reasons. Second, I spent $100 on farming and then paid off a $50 debt. Finally, I was able to save $80. I am overjoyed that my dream of building a house has come true.