In the coming year, my plan is to venture into the clothing business, not only for personal growth but to support my family of six. I aim to start with a modest capital of $300, which may seem small, but I believe it is a solid foundation for a brighter future. To raise this capital, I will use the profits from our charcoal business and the proceeds from our farm, resources we have relied on for survival. This venture is a leap of faith, driven by the desire to secure a better life for my family, and I am ready to face the challenges that lie ahead with determination and hope.

Givedirectly has truly demonstrated respect for its clients, and their commitments have been both genuine and upheld. Personally, I am overjoyed as I now have a piece of land to provide a home for my family. My experience with the organization has been excellent, and as of now, I see no need for any changes. The impact of their assistance in securing a stable place to live is immeasurable, and I am deeply grateful for their support and commitment to improving lives.

Ten years ago, life took an unexpected turn when I separated from my husband. It was not an easy decision, but it was necessary for the well-being of my children and myself. I moved from place to place, living on borrowed land, never really having a place to call home. It was a harsh reality, but one I was determined to change. When I received my transfers, I could not contain my excitement. It was a moment that felt like a dream—a dream that was about to be woven into the fabric of our lives. I had always longed for a place to call my own, a place where my family of six could finally put down roots and truly belong, but financial constraints had always hindered our dream. You see, as a family, we depended on casual jobs, like charcoal burning, to make a living, and sadly, all the income goes towards food with no surplus. Therefore, I spent all of the transfers to purchase a one-acre piece of land, an achievement that marked the beginning of a new chapter, a chapter filled with hope and the promise of a stable future.

As the sun beat down on the maize crops I was guarding against the relentless advances of wild animals, my phone buzzed with a message. Wiping the sweat from my forehead, I unlocked the screen only to find the long-awaited news about the first installment of $550 from GiveDirectly had arrived. My heart raced as a rush of emotions overcame me; excitement, disbelief, and gratitude all intertwined. I couldn't contain my joy, and there, amidst the rustling leaves and the distant sounds of nature, I found myself talking aloud, expressing my thanks and hopes for what this financial boost could mean for my family's future. The world around me seemed to glow a little brighter as if the promise of that transfer was infusing even the plants with newfound hope.

Before I received the funding from GiveDirectly, my life was a constant struggle to make ends meet. The days were marked by the gnawing ache of hunger, with regular meals being nothing more than a distant dream. I vividly recall enduring the discomforts of an empty stomach for days on end, often having to endure the torment of going without food for at least two days a week. But now, everything has changed. The support I received from GiveDirectly has infused my life with a newfound sense of hope and security. No longer do I have to endure the agony of starvation, as I now have the power to provide food for my family. The weight of uncertainty has lifted, replaced by the reassurance that sustenance is within reach.

Life was a constant struggle for my family, with each day bringing new challenges. When I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was buy a sack of maize for $70. Finally, we wouldn't have to go to bed hungry anymore. The relief on my family's faces, as we enjoyed some meal, was priceless. But that wasn't all. I used $45 to buy a mattress, a simple amenity I had never experienced before. No more sleeping on a rough mat; now, I could rest comfortably and wake up feeling refreshed. The cash transfer also enabled me to tackle some financial burdens. I paid off a $50 loan that I had taken to buy a motorbike. With that bike, I could venture into income-generating activities, which gave me a newfound sense of purpose. Additionally, I invested in my child's education, using $15 to pay his school fees, ensuring that he had the chance for a brighter future. With careful planning, I was able to save the remaining amount, eagerly awaiting the second transfer. My dream was to combine the two sums and buy a piece of land. The land would not only provide security for my family but also mark a significant step towards self-reliance. No longer entirely dependent on the goodwill of relatives, I could establish a place to call home, a place where we could build our future together, all thanks to the opportunity GiveDirectly had given us.