For the past two years, I have always depended on a small income from casual work and any other odd jobs in my area. Since they were not reliable, I would always fail to meet my family needs well. This only showed my failure as a parent. I would fail to keep all the promises I made to my family because I did not have the finances to do all their needs. This is the main reason why I saved part of my transfers to start a business. The profit was low at first since I started with a low stock but as I continue investing in the business on a monthly basis, I have managed to pay back all my debts, fulfil all the promises I made to my family and I am continuing to deliver which makes me happy. The transfers and the business has turned my life around in a way I did not expect.

The only goal I have for the transfers is to continue using the transfers to boost my shoe business. I have witnessed a very big difference in my finances ever since I started the business and I would want to continue investing more in the business so that I may be able to meet my future needs with ease through the profits.

I spent my transfer on paying house rent. By the time I received the transfer, I had not paid rent because the little money I had saved, I used to take my children to school by buying school requirements such as books, paying school fees and buying school uniform. The rest of the transfers I have used on boosting my shoe business by adding more stock to the business. The business was going down because I had used what I had in the business for my personal needs.

I got an opportunity to take a course in catering 2014 through sponsorship, but I was unfortunately not able to complete the course or acquire my certificate because my sponsors did not complete paying for the fees. Having no other way and no source of income, I turned to crime where I would mug people for quick money. When I started receiving these transfers, I decided to put into practice the little knowledge on food preparation I had acquired during the six months I was in college. I started a business making doughnuts and later got an opportunity to supply food to employees of a company within the town. The biggest difference in my life is the fact that I am now out of crime and makes clean money through a business that I got to build through the transfers

Within the last one year that I have been in this food business, I have realized just how good I am at it and that I have a good shot of making it big in the industry if I am dedicated. My goal now is to open a restaurant where I can serve more customers while still delivering food to the companies that I am currently delivering to. This is the only way I can move up financially and later spread my wings into other businesses.

My cousin had just lost his child days before I received this month's transfer and I had no choice but to use the whole amount to support him with the funeral arrangements of his little angel.

Before GiveDirectly came to us, I was just idle with nothing to do, which at times forced me to get involved in petty crimes to earn me a living and pay for my house rent. I can attest that my life is now different because the money has enabled me to start my catering business and I am no longer idle, besides changing my whole life. I no longer involve myself in criminal activities, because I earn an income through my business which has enabled me to clear my bills including house rent.

I am aiming at improving my business to maximize profits. My biggest ambition is to see my catering business grow to greater levels. For now, this is the only goal that I am hoping to achieve.

I spent Ksh 3000 of my most recent transfer to purchase adequate stock and some equipment to boost and effectively run my business. I normally run a catering business from which I supply readily made foodstuffs and other services in town. I spent the rest of the money to clear my house rent which had accrued over the months. I was struggling in paying it but since I started receiving the money, I can now comfortably pay without struggling so much.

My goal is to expand my business and even grow it to a catering company where I can handle a big event and earn more income. I also desire to create employment opportunities for youths in my community as a way of giving back to the community.

Before the transfers were sent, I was jobless and idling was the order of the day. There are days I was lured into crime due to the circumstances I went through and the hustle I faced. I struggled to pay rent and other bills. But upon receiving the transfers, I started a business and currently I am stable and I am earning an income. I am so grateful to GD for the support accorded to me. It has realy transformed my life.

When I received the recent transfers, I restocked my business and paid rent for the premises. This transfer has helped me to maintain the business without difficulties. I run a mini- restaurant where people buy food and I also supply a few offices with food. This has really been a blessing.

The moment I received this transfers I was very happy. When GD came to my community many people were not certain that it was a real organization with good intentions. This proved them wrong.