Looking ahead to the coming years, I plan to open a shop that sells both new and second-hand clothes, catering to all age groups. I see this as a promising business opportunity, as there are currently no shops in our area offering these products. Many people have to travel to town, which is 20 kilometers away, to purchase these essential items. Establishing this shop will not only provide a valuable service to the community but also offer a source of steady income for my family.

The significant and unconditional support from GD has been nothing short of a miracle in my life. Thanks to these transfers, I can proudly say that I am now the owner of a cow, a dream I had never dared to imagine. Additionally, being able to fence my land not only brings me peace of mind but also ensures that my cow will always have enough to eat, even during the harshest droughts. These transfers have touched my life in ways words can hardly express, and I am deeply grateful for the positive changes they have brought.

I allocated $152 to buy food to ensure my family of five would not have to endure hunger, especially the younger ones, given the unfortunate absence of a successful harvest from my one-acre plot due to the harsh drought we faced. Now, those relentless worries about hunting for scarce casual work to fend for my loved ones have been cast aside.This simple act of provision has brought immense relief to our home. To safeguard my property and provide ample sustenance for my cattle during the unforgiving dry seasons, I invested $165 in purchasing rolls of chain-link fencing material. My preparation began with the cutting of posts, and with the $70 I have put aside, I am eagerly looking forward to commencing the installation. Moreover, I dedicated $50 to securing my child's education by covering his school fees at a grade eight boarding school. This decision ensures his uninterrupted academic journey, allowing him to focus on his studies as he prepares for the upcoming national exams. I used the remaining amount to purchase additional clothing for my two youngest children. This small yet meaningful gesture has significantly improved their well-being by ensuring they have appropriate attire for special occasions and gatherings, replacing the old, worn-out clothes they had.

With a heartfelt vision of securing a bright future for my children, I set out on a journey to ensure they could access a good education without the burden of school fees. The desire to create a stable financial foundation led me to invest wisely and pursue new opportunities. To achieve this dream, I decided to expand our livestock holdings. Understanding the potential of investing in cows, I carefully saved every penny, setting aside $240 to purchase another dairy cow. Adding more cows to our yard not only provided us with a sustainable source of milk but also opened up avenues for future income. Determined to create additional streams of income, I envisioned a fruit business that would not only bring financial progress but also foster community connections. With the abundance of fruit farms in our neighborhood, I saw an opportunity to bridge the gap between farmers and consumers. I carefully planned my venture, allocating a portion of my savings for the initial investment in fruits.

With the introduction of cash transfers into our lives, everything changed dramatically. The newfound financial stability and support opened doors we had once thought were beyond our reach. The impact was profound, and our family's journey took a remarkable turn. With this boost, I found the strength and determination to fight for my children's education and ensure they had access to the best schools. Gone were the days of uncertainty and financial struggles. Now, I could provide them with the resources and opportunities they needed to flourish academically. I vividly remember the joy and relief in their eyes as they embarked on this new educational journey. The burden of worrying about school fees was lifted, and they could focus wholeheartedly on their studies, unburdened by financial constraints. Witnessing their growth and success became my greatest source of pride and motivation. Beyond education, the ease provided by the cash transfers allowed us to fill our home with an abundance of food. Gone were the times when we had to carefully ration our meals. We could now enjoy the comfort of knowing that our family's nutritional needs were met, and there was even room to savor the occasional treat.

With $110, I embarked on a mission to ensure that my loved ones never had to endure the pangs of hunger. It was a daunting task, especially when the casual work I depended on proved to be inconsistent, and money was always tight. With careful budgeting and resourcefulness, I managed to purchase enough food to fill our humble pantry. The joy on my family's faces when they saw the stocked shelves made every sacrifice worthwhile. However, I knew that securing our well-being wasn't just about immediate needs. To pave the way for a more stable future, I made a bold decision to invest $240 in a dairy cow. This decision was met with skepticism by some, given our financial constraints, but I believed that this wise investment would yield great returns. In another leap of faith, I used some of the remaining funds to purchase two mattresses, each costing $25. It was a small comfort, but one that made a world of difference to my family. For the first time in a long while, they slept peacefully, knowing that their comfort mattered.

It was approximately 3:00 PM, and I had just returned home from working on the farm. Feeling exhausted, I decided to take a nap outside under a tree near my house. As I drifted off to sleep, my neighbor called out to me from the fence, urging me to check my phone for a GiveDirectly transfer. Without any hesitation, I quickly reached for my phone, which was charging inside the house. As I unlocked it, a wave of joy washed over me when I saw the substantial amount of money in my Mpesa. It was an amount that I had never received before in my entire life. The realization that my family would no longer have to skip meals, as we had often done in the past, filled me with immense happiness and relief. Instantly, I began making plans to go to the nearest town utilize the funds the following day, eager to purchase food that was very crucial at that moment.

Receiving the transfer has significantly improved my life, as I no longer have to struggle to find work on someone else's farm in order to earn a meager income for our daily needs. This newfound stability has granted me a sense of peace and relief. With the financial support provided, I am now able to focus my efforts and attention on cultivating and managing my own land. This shift has brought about a positive change in my life, as I can now dedicate my time and energy to my own farming endeavors. This allows me to have greater control over my livelihood and work towards building a sustainable future for myself and my family. The financial support from the transfer has truly empowered me to pursue my own agricultural activities and strive for self-sufficiency.

Upon receiving the transfer, my first priority was to address the immediate need for food. I allocated $850 to purchase dry cereals, specifically 20kg of beans and a sack of maize. This supply lasted my family of six for two months, alleviating the challenges we faced during the famine. Previously, we had either been eating very little or skipping meals due to financial constraints. I express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for providing us with this essential support during such a difficult time. In addition, I utilized $50 from the transfer to pay for my two children's school fees. Although I wasn't able to fully clear the fees, this payment ensures that they can continue attending school and concentrate on their studies until I receive the next transfer, which will allow me to settle the remaining balance. To pursue my dream of poultry farming, I invested $5 by purchasing two hens. I am hopeful that these hens will multiply, and in the future, I can sell eggs to provide for my family's basic needs. With the remaining funds, I bought two plastic chairs and a few utensils. The ones we previously had were old and in a deteriorated state, causing me embarrassment when receiving visitors. The new chairs and utensils not only enhance our living conditions but also help create a more comfortable and welcoming environment.