I saved KSH 1000 from the transfer. I saved the money in a Chama where I will earn some interest. At the end of the year, I would like to use the money that will have accumulated to start my tailoring business. I previously hired a sewing machine from a colleague, but it was costly since I was not making any profit from it. Buying my machine will be good since I will not work under any pressure and I will be my boss. Besides saving some money, I spent KSH 1500 to seek medical attention from the hospital. I had rushes all over my body which were very irritating. I am happy that I am now in well and my health is improving. Finally, I spent KSH 500 in buying food for the family. My husband, who sells palm wine, had made no sales that day and in order to avoid sleeping on an empty stomach, I bought food with the remaining amount.

After receiving the phone, I had KES1200 left. I used KES 600 to pay for my children's school fees as they had been chased from school and had been home for 2 days at that time. I then saved the remaining amount with the cooperative society. The second transfer, KES 1500 went saving and I used the other KES 1500 for food. With the most recent transfer, KES 1000 went toward food especially considering it was the festive season. The remaining KES 2000 was spent in hospital as my children we unwell at that time.

My life has honestly transitioned for the better because I no longer fear my child will be sent home due to tuition debts which really used to stress me out and apart from that the sustainability has provided a form of empowerment and even given me ideas for better plans in the future like owning a piece of land and maybe even starting a business.

GiveDirectly has assisted tremendously especially since I am a stay home mum meanwhile my husband is a palm wine tapper but due to consistent famine even the palm trees have nothing to offer, meaning my spouse cannot earn but since getting this funds we do not have to solely rely on my husband and in case we are in a financial fix we have money on the side to help us.

After I received the transfers the first thing that came to mind was settling the tuition debt that I had for my child since she had been home for almost three days without attending school and I was worried that she would lag behind academically so I paid for half of the debt which was KES 2,000 and paid KES 1,000 while the rest I planned on settling in the near future. Then I went ahead and bought ten packets of maize flour worth KES 1,000 because due to the ongoing drought the farm harvest has been unfruitful and at times we would go hungry which was so depressing especially considering the children since they are very young. As for the remainder of the money which was KES 1,000 I saved it for a rainy day.

I received the text message at 5 pm in the evening. I was lying on my bed at that time since I was not feeling well. When I checked my phone I was delighted that I had received the cash. I was very happy and all smiles even though I was not feeling well at that time.

The money has made a big difference in my life. it has helped me start a business for myself. I am very happy because the business I have started is going to help me in very many ways. I am also grateful that my kids are back in school after staying 2 days at home. I am going to do everything possible to ensure that they go to school without any disruptions. With my savings in the Chama I am looking forward to even expand my business more at the end of this year.

I was very happy when I received the money from GiveDirectly. I received a total of KSH 1200 from GiveDirectly. I spent KSH 600 in paying school fees for my sons who had been sent home due to school fee balances. I value education and even during these hard times I try all I can to be able to pay school fees for my kids. So when I received the cash school fees for my children were my priority. I also spent KSH 200 in my Chama. In addition, I spent KSH 300 on starting a new business for myself. With the business, it is going to help in helping my family out and also paying school fees for my children