I have two children in the upper classes, and my eldest is soon joining secondary school, requiring careful financial planning for a smooth transition. Currently, I am managing previous term fees arrears with the help of GiveDirectly transfers, significantly easing my financial burden. The difference is profound compared to before I received these transfers; my children are no longer sent home for fee balances because the teachers know I receive support from GD, and I am able to contribute consistently. My family relies on casual jobs for income, but the last season was challenging, leaving us in a situation where we are struggling to afford basic necessities and school fees. I am compelled to allocate the limited income from casual jobs to both essential needs and educational expenses, highlighting the importance of additional financial support to maintain stability and ensure my children's education continues uninterrupted.

I had carefully planned how to allocate my transfer to meet my needs effectively. Upon receiving it, I designated $28 for purchasing seeds and fertilizer for planting, considering the current planting season. Additionally, I allocated $34 towards paying school fees for my two children in the upper classes, ensuring they have an uninterrupted learning experience. Lastly, I used the remaining $44 to procure building materials and poles, as I am in the process of constructing a better house for my family. This allocation strategy aims to address immediate agricultural and educational needs while also contributing to our long-term housing improvement goals

I want to invest in my children's education, My children are in form 3 and class 6going class 7. As a single mother with three children to provide for it is a bit tough on me. I would like to direct my Givedirectly transfers to pay for their schooling as my work as a charcoal seller does not make much. I would like to also have my youngest start school as they are almost of age now. I will use most of my transfers early in the year getting my child in class 7 settled as for them I need to buy new uniform as well as books which is a costly affair..

I used my September transfers to build myself a kitchen. I spent $15 buying wood for building and $10 on building poles. I also spent $4 on buying nails for putting it all together. In October I bought clothes for my 3 year ol6 at $10 d and $20 went into buying a goat. In November I cleared the fee balance for my child in form 2 and then used the rest buying soap and milling the maize I had harvested.

I'm optimistic about managing school fees with ease, which would give me so much joy. My plan involves purchasing a $45 goat for resale, then use the proceeds to acquire cows for higher returns to support my children's education. Currently our living conditions are not up to standard, we lack a proper kitchen. Cooking indoors using charcoal isn't ideal. With a two-roomed house and an exterior kitchen, we'd experience great comfort. Furthermore, I'm considering venturing into poultry farming for business to boost my income.

I'm a single mother raising four children on my own, my husband and I separated when my firstborn was just a few years old. We've been living with my mother at our maternal home. Over the years, I've been fortunate in raising my children, and my two eldest ones are now independent. I also take care of my mother while living here. After receiving my July transfer, I purchased five bags of maize flour, each costing $2. Although we had grown maize, it wasn't ready at that time. In addition to this, I used $4 to purchase other household necessities. I then paid $20 towards my child's high school fees, reducing the outstanding balance of $38. Shortly after, my eldest son settled the remaining balance. The support from these transfers has significantly lightened my burdens, allowing me to adequately provide for my family's needs. I'm considering investing the next transfer on purchasing a goat.

Since I am a single mother and I do not have a job to rely on except for burning charcoal, I am always worried about how to raise school fees for my children. With the monthly transfers, I hope to focus on making monthly fee payments to avoid the accumulation of arrears. It will keep my children in school so that they do not miss much from the class. I hope to accomplish paying their fees by the end of the year, hence they will have ample time in school to catch up with their classmates.

Although I have not spent my transfer, I intend to use my transfer to pay off the school expenses for my two enrolled students. I plan to spend $20 on school fees and use the remaining money to buy food. We experience food shortage, so getting some food will enable my family of three to continue to push on with life. As a single mother, it is my responsibility to provide for my family's dietary and educational needs. The transfers from the previous three months helped in paying school fees and buy foodstuffs. We have survived the famine experienced all over because of the transfers.

The most important thing I want to accomplish this year is to pay off all tuition debts for two of my children. One of them just recently finished primary school and is about to join high school, which is quite expensive compared to elementary. Therefore, I will ensure proper use of the money and keep my children in school. Apart from that, the ongoing drought has affected us immensely, especially considering that we relied on the harvest to feed our families. Hence, I will ensure that I also use the money to make sure nutrition is no longer an issue in my household.

I had a very difficult and challenging last few months of the previous year. I rely on farming to produce crops, which I then sell in the market to make a living. Since there hasn't been any rain, I've been forced to sell charcoal, which is very exhausting and, worst of all, only makes me $3 per bag. Due to my meager earnings from selling charcoal, I have frequently failed to pay my daughter's tuition at Mnazimwenga Secondary School on time. As a result of this, I was able to save $20 when I received my transfers for December. I will use this money when the schools resume later this month to help pay off the enormous debt I owe for my daughters' school expenses. I then used the $14 that was left to buy food for my family. I was not able to save money all year to buy food and celebrate with my family during the holiday season. I'm happy that the money was able to make my family members happy as we ate "chapti," which is a rare meal for us.

To meet the family's demands, I make and sell charcoal, a business that pays me around KES 300 every week. With these low returns, it has been challenging to cover household basics such as school tuition and food. In fact, my daughter in form one had lost three days of school owing to unpaid tuition costs by the time I got the transfer. In addition, my household had run out of food two days before the transfer, forcing me to acquire maize flour on credit from a store and promise to pay later. When I got the cash transfer, I made it my goal to resolve these two concerns. So, I paid my child’s KES 2,000 tuition debt and she continued his studies. The remainder was thereafter spent on food for my five children. 

In my view, GiveDirectly has done so well in supporting us, the less fortunate in society. Although at first, I could not afford food as well as pay school fees for my children, courtesy of GiveDirectly transfer I have been of support to my family. In addition, GiveDirectly does well in reaching out more regularly to us to monitor the benefit of its transfer to our community. I am so grateful to be a beneficiary. There is nothing that it does not do well.

As a solitary breadwinner since my husband's death, I have been completely reliant on charcoal making. This is strenuous work that frequently consumes my energy despite the little pay. As a result, when I received my transfer, I planned to use it to purchase a school uniform for my daughter, who would begin first grade in a week. I am the mother of five children, and I often feel overwhelmed trying to support them on my own. I just make and sell charcoal, which does not pay well because there are few buyers. I am extremely appreciative to GiveDirectly for assisting me financially.

Being also a farmer, I was in the farm ploughing when I received the text message while there. I do not know how to read so when I got back to the house, my son read the message to me and I was so jubilated when I heard it was an MPESA message from GiveDirectly. I withdrew the funds the following day and put to good use by buying food.

The biggest difference on receiving the funds has been that I have been able to stock up food supplements in the house since what was there was almost finished.

On receiving the KES 1200, I was quite happy and able to plan myself accordingly. Being separated and the sole breadwinner for my five children, I spent the whole amount to buy food supplements for the house ensuring we do not sleep hungry. I sell charcoal and the income made is channelled towards taking care of the family. GiveDirectly gave me a major boost as the profits made are not that huge.