My initial intention was to operate my business in the new building, even though I eventually rented it out. After giving birth, my recovery is still ongoing. After that, since it is close to the center, I will start a grocery store there. My main objective for the upcoming year is to have a successful business that will enable me to generate income to support my family daily. I will benefit from this because I will not have to pay any rent-related expenses. Therefore, all of my earnings will go towards promoting the expansion of the business. The company will enable me to support my family financially.

GiveDirectly, in my opinion, does well in funding the most underprivileged communities. The community members who always receive its transfer are of the lowest social class. Some people who were previously living in abject poverty, lacking decent housing, and having difficulty affording their children's school fees have now seen some improvement. Some people have built new houses, while others have purchased livestock, and improved their level of asset acquisition. As a result, people in our community are changing for the better. There is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.

I had purchased a piece of land that was lying idle and undeveloped. Since I was short on cash, I left it bare while looking for some money to develop it. Immediately after receiving my last transfer, I built a business premise on it. I invested $450 in total for this project. Currently, it is rented and it fetches me $10 per month. I also spent $50 on a sack of maize flour since the family did not have enough food. For over one month, we never had an issue related to food shortage in my family. I spent the remainder on new clothing for my child because I had just given birth. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.

On one fine morning, I left home for the shamba to sow some maize leaving my phone at home charging. On reaching home from the shamba, I switched on my phone. No sooner had I switched it on than I received a message. On confirming what the message was all about, I almost shade tears due to how happy I was after seeing it was the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with joy and happiness knowing that my desire of starting a grocery business was going to take shape.

The main difference that I can attest to is that initially, I was a dependent woman with no source of income. I used to rely on my husband for everything thus I felt as if I was a parasite to him. Soon, after I receive the second transfer, I will become an independent wife since I already set all the modalities of starting a business that I am certain will prosper.

When I withdrew the money, first I bought a plot for KES 15000.00 at the trading center where I aimed to start a grocery shop. Thereafter, I bought 20 pieces of iron sheets for 14000.00, poles for KES 1200.00, and a burglary door for KES 8000.00. The reason for buying these construction materials was to build the business house on the plot I bought. The contractor cost was KES 14500.00. After, finalizing that, I bought a sack of maize for food for my family. Since the remaining amount was insufficient for capital, I opted to save it while waiting for the second transfer to officially start the business.