As a mother of two children, I am focused on purchasing a bed and mattress to improve our living conditions. Currently, we don't have a good mattress, so saving through my merry-go-round group is crucial. Despite my husband's work as a transporter, saving from his salary proved difficult, prompting my decision to save through our merry-go-round instead. Acquiring a bed and mattress will significantly enhance our living standards. It's essential for us, especially when we have guests, as it ensures we won't struggle to accommodate them, saving us from embarrassment.

I am currently part of a merry-go-round where I save $20 each month towards my goal of building my own house. Recently, it was my turn to receive money from the merry-go-round, which made me very happy because I could finally renovate my house. With the $68 I received from GiveDirectly, along with my savings from my merry-go-round, I renovated my one-room house. This was a significant moment for me because living in a good house boosts confidence and allows one to navigate society more comfortably. With the remaining $34, I purchase food for my family for the week.

I aim to achieve two significant goals with the cash transfers I am receiving. First, I plan to purchase a comfortable mattress to improve my sleep quality and overall well-being. After which, I intend to restart my grocery business. I had started one but had to close because the landlord wanted me out of his premises and later opened his own business, which was eventually passed on to a relative. Determined to revive my grocery business, this time around, I will diversify it and ensure its sustainability and success. I'm grateful for the transfers.

I have been saving $5 from the GiveDirectly cash transfers, while also contributing $10 monthly to a merry-go-round group I joined since I started receiving the transfers. Last month, it was my turn to receive contributions, and I received $70. With that money, I bought building materials and paid laborers to renovate our house, which had been in a bad state for a long time, almost collapsing from one side. Now, our house is standing strong, and we thank God for GiveDirectly; without it, we wouldn't have a house at all. I find immense joy and gratitude every time I look at our home, and if I had a camera phone, I would capture and share its transformation with you.My husband has been unwell and is currently unable to work, and we have two children, one of whom is already in school. With the remaining transfers, amounting to $57, I paid school fees for my child and bought food and personal items for our household. I am so glad GiveDirectly has made this possible for us.

In the upcoming year, my new goal is to acquire two dairy goats and establish a poultry farm. I have a strong desire to invest in livestock as I believe it is a lucrative venture that can yield substantial long-term benefits for my family. By purchasing dairy goats, I can not only provide a sustainable source of milk for our household but also explore the potential for additional income through the sale of dairy products. Simultaneously, establishing a poultry farm would enable me to generate income through the sale of eggs and poultry products. I am excited about these investments as they have the potential to contribute to our financial stability and provide us with a sustainable source of livelihood in the future.

I am grateful that, that courtesy of the transfer, I have been able to fulfill the financial obligation of paying school fees for my children. I used to struggle to raise money for my children's education, but now the burden has been considerably eased. Moreover, I can effortlessly purchase food for my family and contribute to the merry-go-round savings group. In the past, I could not participate in such savings initiatives due to the lack of a stable source of income. As a family of four members, the impact of this financial assistance has been transformative, alleviating financial stress and providing much-needed stability.

My goal is to use the next merry-go-round funds to start a poultry business, initially focusing on sales. Once I secure orders and assess the market, I'll consider expanding into a shop business if conditions are favorable. I also plan to invest in goats for resale to boost income and save more for my children's education. Despite my husband's unemployment, I'm dedicated to pursuing these ventures to enhance our financial situation.

My husband is currently unemployed and relies on casual work for an income. I'm then left to manage the household's financial responsibilities. So last month, I spent part of the transfer on his school-related expenses amounting to $5.6 To support with this pressing needs, I contribute $10 for our merry-go-round group consisting of Ten members. Through this contribution I was able to receive a substantial amount that covered expenses when obtaining our son's Birth Certificate when it was urgently needed in school. The fund assisted with transportation expenses, totaling $5.7, as we had to make multiple trips to follow-up on the process. In addition to this,I allocated $3.2 to settle pending debts at our local shop. We have an arrangement with the shopkeeper that we will repay debts as soon as the GiveDirectly transfers is received. Lastly, we are consciously saving a portion of our funds in case of unforeseen emergencies.

My main goal for the coming year is to have my own business. I have been struggling to make ends meet due to the lack of a reliable source of income, therefore my plan is to start a greengrocery business that would act as an income-generating business for my family to achieve this, I would commit myself to saving at least $10 every month with the transfers that would be receiving so that in the next few months, I shall have started the business and would later expand it.

I was financially down at the time when I received the transfers; I had previously taken some items from a shop on credit and the repayment time had already elapsed because I didn’t have the money to settle the debts in time. I was also required to pay tuition fees for my child who is in school, but again money was a problem. The transfers came at the right time because, with all the worries about where to get the money, I finally managed to repay the debts of $4 and paid $1.5 for my child’s tuition. I also managed to buy food for my family worth $18.5 and saved the remaining amount $10. I was much grateful to GiveDirectly for coming through at the time of need.

I decided to start saving a portion of the money that I received over the last few months of last year. This was influenced by the fact that the house I live in at the moment is quite a disaster, especially the roof. During the rainy season, we normally have to put pots in the house so that it is not left flooded with water, and we end up staying up the whole night sometimes just because the roof is leaking from everywhere. This year, I plan to finally use the funds that I have been saving to build a proper house and install a new roof. This will be costly because I have a lot of material to buy, including timber and sand, and I also have to pay the laborers, but I am hopeful it will all turn out well.

Receiving the cash transfer during the Christmas season was a great relief since I lacked funds to buy my children festive attire and celebratory food, as is the tradition during such times. Besides, the little my husband made from hawking fruits in Mombasa would have barely secured food. So, I spent $3 from the transfer to buy two pairs of shoes for my two daughters. We used to share my shoes with one of them and her sister’s had tattered and torn from time. Seeing their faces light up from this melted my heart. I also bought them new clothes worth $10 to wear on New Year's days and match up the cheerful energy of their peers who had new attire too. Next, I joined a merry-go-round club in my community and saved $10. I aim to acquire a lump sum after 8 months to set up a vegetable-selling business and help my husband with our needs. Lastly, I contributed the rest towards the purchase of food for my household, and am happy the food lasted us throughout the festive days. 

My life is on a positive trajectory after being enrolled in the program. I depended on my husband, who is the sole breadwinner of the family. I could not help but watch him foot all the family’s expenses, which included buying food, paying school fees, and medication. To ease the burden on my husband, I started a charcoal selling business when I received my transfer. I use the profit I earn from the business to buy food and pay school fees for my son, who is in primary school. Lately, the business has grown and when I received my sixth transfer; I bought more stock for the business to cope with the growing demand.

I appreciate Givedirectly giving me this chance, but I wish the money could be handed to me in lump sums so that I could build a large, successful business without having to look for capital investments.

My spouse runs a small charcoal business in Mombasa town. I used to rely on him for my everyday necessities before the transfer. I spent Kes 2000 on two bags of charcoal to start my own business in the village after receiving this transfer. Business hasn't really started up yet, but I'm hoping that when it does, I'll be able o support my spouse and share some expenses. I intend to use the remaining Kes 1000 in my savings to pay for my son's tution fees.

I was at home sitting in my room when I got the message. For a minute, I had forgotten that I was to receive some funds from give directly. My heart skipped for joy. I felt special and lucky to be one of the beneficiaries. I immediately called my husband to inform him of the good news. Together, we agreed that I should kick start the plan I had of starting a charcoal resale business. Since the money was not enough, he agreed to top it up and in less than a month I was in business.

Before I heard about give directly, I was going through the most difficult phase in my life. My husband, who is a charcoal reseller, was the only breadwinner for the family (my two children and I). His income, however, was very inconsistent. There were days when, if he failed to earn, we would only have porridge for breakfast which would hold us up until late in the night when we would have dinner. There were also droughts in the area and water was a problem. To get some, I would need to leave home at 4 am so that by 8 am I am home preparing breakfast for the children. All this has been improved now that I have started receiving these funds. I started a business that has not only enabled me to provide for my family efficiently, but I am also able to make weekly savings of KES 700 for future projects. So yes, there is a great difference in my life.

I am married with two children, and since I haven't had the privilege of an education, it has been close to impossible to get a job. So, I am left to depend on my husband, who is a charcoal reseller, for financial support. When I was introduced to give directly, all I thought of was improving my life through self-employment. Through this, I will be able to support my husband with some of the expenses that he has been struggling to meet. Specifically, food provisions and paying school fees for my child who is in grade four. Therefore, I used my transfer to also start a charcoal resale business.