I am a mother of four children, and ensuring their education remains uninterrupted is my top priority. With the transfer, I spent $14 on their school fees. I also used $14 to buy school bags for three of my children, which made them very happy. To improve our living conditions, I invested $60 in my merry-go-round group, aiming to save enough to build a new home. Our current single-room dwelling is inadequate for my family of six and is not in good condition. I allocated $10 to buy food for my family. Currently, I own four chickens; unfortunately, I lost over fourteen due to disease. With the remaining transfer, I spent $4 on another chicken, hoping they will multiply so I can eventually exchange them for goats, which I can sell during times of need.

I currently live in a single room with my husband and four children. My goal is to rebuild our home into a three-room house so that my children can have their own space. I want them to enjoy comfort and privacy. I am currently saving through my merry-go-round group, confident that with disciplined savings, I can achieve my goal. Previously, I worked as a tailor, but I had to stop when one of my children fell ill. I am hopeful that once my child recovers, I will be able to return to work and with income I get I also save and once I get enough money I start my house construction process.

I have primarily allocated the majority of my transfers towards meeting the educational expenses of my three children enrolled in school. This includes paying their school fees, as well as procuring essential school supplies like uniforms and stationery. To manage the financial burden, I typically spread the total term fees, amounting to $28, across the term for smoother payment. Additionally, I allocate a portion of the transfers, approximately $10, towards a monthly savings group. This savings initiative is aimed at accumulating funds for the eventual construction of a new house, providing a long-term financial goal to work towards. While the transfers predominantly cater to educational and housing aspirations, they also play a crucial role in sustaining our basic needs, particularly in procuring food supplies. However, during school holidays when there are no school fees to pay, I seize the opportunity to diversify our investments. In November, for instance, I invested in purchasing a young goat for $3, adding to the two goats I already possess. This investment serves both as a means of diversification and as a step towards building future financial stability.

The condition of my current house is far from ideal, with the second-hand iron sheets used in its construction now rusted and prone to leaking during rainfall. Over the years, sections of the roof have become detached from their holding nails, causing disruptive flapping noises during strong winds and rendering the house inhospitable. To remedy this situation, I am determined to construct a new house before the year concludes. This goal is feasible through the savings accrued from the merry-go-round I joined last year, facilitated by the GiveDirectly funds. Contributing $10 monthly to this group, consisting of 24 members, I anticipate receiving a lump sum of $240. This amount will significantly contribute towards procuring essential materials, particularly the iron sheets necessary for roofing. However, considering that I will need approximately 30 iron sheets, each costing $11, I recognize the need for additional savings or alternative funding sources to fully realize this objective. It is evident that achieving this goal will require diligent saving efforts or exploring supplementary financial avenues.

Receiving my transfers brought immense joy, especially since I had been longing to replace my chickens, which had perished due to disease. With the transfers, I bought three chickens for $24. I allocated $5 to cover my two children's school fees, ensuring they would not face the risk of being sent home. The remaining $5 was used to provide nourishing meals for my family.

As a mother of four, our current house is too small for the six of us. I have a strong desire to build a bigger house so that when we have guests, everyone can enjoy comfort and space.

In May, I allocated $10 from my transfers to partially settle the outstanding school fee debt for two primary school children. Financial struggles have plagued both my husband and me, making it difficult to fully meet our children's needs. Although they still owe $15 in unpaid school fees, I am relieved that my payment will provide us with some time before they face the risk of being sent home. Additionally, I spent $15 to purchase food after enduring a four-day period without any nourishment in May. My husband earns a meager income as a casual laborer, primarily involved in burning tree stumps and producing charcoal. Due to his limited earnings, he cannot promptly send us money for essential necessities like food. Consequently, I had no choice but to resort to buying food on credit, with the intention of repaying the debt upon receiving my monthly transfer from Give Directly. I am immensely grateful that this money greatly assisted us in alleviating our hunger. Furthermore, I utilized some funds to acquire a new mattress for my children. Previously, my two children and I shared a bed, but with the arrival of a new baby girl early last month, the available space became insufficient. The new mattress will not only provide additional sleeping space but also enhance the comfort for my children moving forward.

By the end of the year and beyond, my aim is to accumulate funds for purchasing building materials. The purpose behind this endeavor is to construct an additional room, as my current two-room house lacks sufficient space to accommodate both my family members and my possessions. The new room will serve as a generous area where I can warmly welcome and host friends and family who come to visit me at home.

During Christmas, my husband normally buys new clothes for our three children to celebrate. However, last Christmas, his savings were only enough to acquire new attire for one child. Gladly, the transfer’s timing was ideal, as it presented a chance for the other two to get new apparel as well. Besides enjoying a healthy festive meal, wearing new clothes makes the festivities merrier. My two daughters were so happy when I bought them dresses worth $20. After that, I used $10 to buy maize flour because the household had run out of food the previous two days, which forced us to take a meal per day. Lastly, I spent the remainder on two chickens. I plan to keep rearing them, let them breed, and grow the flock, as I could sell them in the future to generate quick funds for my needs. 

My family is expanding, and as a result, our home can no longer comfortably house everyone. I want to construct an additional room for our 3 children this year. It's very challenging sharing our one-room home with them. We believe that sleeping in the same room as our young children violates our need for adult privacy. My husband and I will be able to purchase iron sheets, building poles, sand, cement, and pay the mason's labor costs thanks to the money from the transfer. I appreciate that by doing this, I can instill good morals in my children and raise them in a way that upholds the moral standard.

As soon as I received the money, I spent $4 on two hens so that I could gradually start keeping poultry at home. I didn't have any at first. Poultry farming is more affordable to start than livestock farming because it is less expensive. Additionally, I spent $10 on two bedsheets. I chose this since I absolutely had none. I'm content right now since my bed is nicely made up and looks nice, unlike before when nothing looked fine. Last agricultural season, we did not harvest as much as we anticipated, so I had to spend $10 to buy some food for the family and save the other $6 for emergencies.

Doing well

For the past three years, I slept on a make-shift bed, made of sisal twines. The bed is so uncomfortable and as a result; I developed severe back pains. The doctor recommended that I buy a comfy mattress that will ease my suffering. Due to my poor financial state, I could not buy one. When I received my first transfer, I spent KES 800 plus my little savings and bought a new mattress. I am happy that this will be the beginning of the journey to recovery. Besides buying the mattress, I bought two hens at KES 400. I have always wanted to raise chickens because they are a quick and smart investment for the future. I can sell the eggs and some hens once they multiply in numbers.

The transfer made a huge difference in my life by helping me purchase a mattress. For a while, I have persevered the back pains caused by the makeshift bed. I am glad that I now have a comfortable mattress that will ease my suffering.

I was walking majestically going home from the shop at 4 pm when suddenly I received a text message on my phone. My heart skipped a bit when I realized I heard received my first transfer. I ululated at the top of my force as I hurriedly walked back home and shared the good news with my husband. He was thrilled, and we gladly smiled at each other.