At the moment, I have a new goal to start a small business that will support my family alongside my husbands’ little income. My household depends on my husband, who is currently a casual laborer for all purchases and bills payment. My business will solve the minor bills while my husband concentrates on school fees and other emergencies. Opening a cereal shop will come in handy and attract more customers who buy maize, beans, and millet for their families.

Giving people money and allowing them to decide on what best they can spend was the best decision by GiveDirectly in my opinion. Many in our village had been struggling a lot, begging from the neighborhood, and even toiling in other people's farms to earn a living that seemed so unfair to them with the inconsiderable payment they were getting. The cash transfer sets everyone free and at the moment, everyone has a home and lives a better life compared to how it was before. I never saw anything that I would have wished to be done better but I am grateful and feeling lucky to have been part of this project.

My small income from casual labor and construction was never enough for my family of six children, which required a lot every day. Paying school fees and providing adequate daily bread from an unreliable wage had always been a challenge, leaving me sleepless at times. I was grateful when GiveDirectly gave me a boost throughout the entire transfer, which resulted in an immediate transformation in my household. With the second transfer, I was able to pay the $300 school fees arrears for my children. It was a relief for me and a source of great joy for them because they can now attend all classes alongside other students. To add to my livestock herd, I bought two goats for $100 and ten chickens for $50 which I have been rearing at home which I sell to get income. The remaining $100 I spent on foodstuffs for my family.

It was early morning and been caught short and left my phone on top of my bed. As I picked up my phone, I saw an unread message, which I was curious to know about. After reading the message, I was happy and surprised to have received so much money that morning. I walked to the other room and shared the good news with my children. My home was filled with joy and thanksgiving because the previous day, my family slept without food. I felt like a prayer answered instantly at the point of need.

The biggest difference is being able to take my son to secondary school. The charcoal business is not sustainable, and I was in despair with my children’s education. Life is better knowing all my children are in school and at least have food on the table every day. My husband is also not stressed because the support program has given him enough time to save up for future expenses.

I am a charcoal burner, and my husband is unemployed with seven children. Our life is a struggle and food and education are our biggest challenges because of the inconsistence flow of income. I spent KES 10,000 on buying a mattress because have been sleeping on the floor for the longest time. One son, who was a candidate, was joining a secondary school and used KES 9200 for school fees and rent to his hostel, and a weekly allowance for food. I sent my brother KES 5000, who needed my support with his university fees. I started poultry farming with KES 2000 for nine chickens. I also used KES 2500 to pay school fees debt for the other six children in primary school. The remaining cash bought foodstuff for KES 10,000 and am left with some for my daily upkeep.