In the coming year and beyond, my family and I have a plan to construct a small shop in our compound. We already have five iron sheets for roofing and posts worth $96. The intention is to initiate a small retail business, offering various goods to the immediate neighborhood. This venture is driven by the observed inconvenience of community members traveling to shopping centers, which are a bit far from the village and can be expensive. To fund the construction and stocking of the shop, I plan to sell part of my livestock and utilize proceeds from honey when I harvest. This initiative not only aims to provide essential goods to the community but also creates a source of income for my family.

I am grateful for the support that brought about significant transformation, improved living conditions, and facilitated the payment of school fees for children. Additionally, it changed the mindset of many in terms of investments, with a notable impact on the youth who acquired motorbikes that have not only kept them busy but also become a lucrative source of income. Everything went smoothly, as per the information we received from the start. GiveDirectly has maintained their commitment, and hopefully, they will continue the good work in other villages they are yet to visit.

Obtaining food had been a consistent challenge, and I was grateful for the timely support from GiveDirectly, fulfilling their promise of a much-needed cash transfer. Upon receiving the final transfer and collecting it from the shopping center, I prioritized the pressing needs of my family of 8 by spending $60 on foodstuffs, including maize, beans, and other essential household items. In addition to managing household obligations, I tackled the financial responsibilities of my two children in secondary school. Clearing $90 in arrears and another $300 for the ongoing term was crucial for their education, and I appreciate that, through effective planning with my spouse, we were able to meet these school expenses, providing our children with an uninterrupted study period for the remaining part of the term. As a source of income, our reliance on livestock farming, particularly goat rearing, and beekeeping has sustained us, offering financial stability in favorable seasons.

In the coming year and beyond, my spouse and I aspire to establish a small business by initially constructing a kiosk within our compound to cater to the essential needs of our community. Currently, residents have to traverse more than 5 kilometers to access a shop for basic household necessities, and having a local store will not only serve the community but also attract customers, contributing significantly to our income. This venture aims to improve our financial stability and, importantly, support my husband's dedicated efforts in the beekeeping business, ensuring a more sustainable source of income for our family.

I am filled with joy and profound gratitude for the remarkable generosity displayed by GiveDirectly. The staff's respectful and considerate approach, aligned with our community values, was truly commendable as they worked diligently to aid community members. The unique monetary support provided by GiveDirectly is unparalleled, allowing us the freedom to make decisions that best address our household's specific needs. As of now, I have no complaints, and I'm not aware of any from others in the community. My sincere hope is that this same level of kindness and support will reach new locations that are yet to benefit from GiveDirectly's support.

The burden of providing for my family of 8, especially in the face of rising food costs, has been challenging given the current economic conditions. Despite my husband's hard work in beekeeping, managing 30 beehives and meeting daily needs, including school fees, remained a struggle. The second transfer brought relief, and we allocated $90 to purchase food, an essential expense we are still relying on as we await the final transfer and as we continue with our farming efforts. Additionally, I spent $30 on acquiring second-hand clothes for my children, bringing them joy as they replaced old and worn-out garments. Prioritizing future educational needs, I saved the remaining $326 to cover school fees for my two daughters entering secondary school in January. I also used $4 for transportation from the shopping center while I was collecting the money and making initial purchases.

Upon receiving my first transfers from Give Directly, I was in the middle of a school meeting. I didn't notice the receipt of the funds until I was on my way home. The realization that I had received some money filled me with joy, and I hurried home to share the good news with my family and plan our next steps together.

Since receiving transfers from Give Directly, the most profound change in my life has been the increased sense of peace, particularly due to the significant reduction in my sons school fees arrears and the clearance of a personal debt. No longer will I need to avoid my friend out of shame for owing them money, as I have now settled the debt in full.

Upon receiving $200 from Give Directly, my first priority was to address my son's school fee arrears. I allocated $50 to this to prevent him from being sent home for non-payment while we organized to settle the remaining amount. I spent $75 on food supplies and invested $27 in improving our home with new plastic chairs. Lastly, I set aside $40 to repay a debt I owed to a friend.