I dream of expanding my cloth selling business, known as Mitumba. The thought fills me with joy. I want to reach more people and offer them happiness through clothes. I plan to find a bigger space, source quality clothes, and even go online. With each step, I feel closer to my dream. I'm excited to see my Mitumba empire grow in the coming years.

I have nothing but praise for GiveDirectly. Their programs have helped me tremendously, and I'm filled with joy and gratitude because of it. I love everything they do, and I'm so thankful for the assistance they've provided me.

When I got $450 from GiveDirectly, I was so happy. Before that, I lived in a house with a grass roof that leaked when it rained. So, I decided to use the money wisely. First, I bought building materials to make a proper house. Then, I paid $50 to a handyman to help finish building it. With the remaining $400, I opened a business selling second-hand clothes, known as mutumba. Before this, I didn't have a job, but now, I feel so grateful because I'm employed. It's like a dream come true for me. I'm really happy to have this opportunity to make a better life for myself.

In the coming year, my main objective is to delve into the business of selling clothes, with the goal of maximizing its income potential. I intend to utilize my last transfer to make this aspiration a reality. I am confident that with dedication and hard work, I can achieve success in realizing this vision.

The support received from GiveDirectly has had a profound impact on our lives, granting us the freedom to allocate the funds according to our individual needs, a unique feature. Moreover, they have shared valuable insights on securing our finances and guarding against potential fraud. At present, I have not identified any areas that need improvement, and I am grateful for the assistance and guidance extended by GiveDirectly.

I depend on occasional employment to sustain my family. Being a single mother with two children, I utilized $370 from my second transfer to purchase construction materials for the purpose of building a proper home. The current dwelling we occupy is constructed with mud walls and thatched with grass, and the financial constraints in the past prevented us from improving it. The limited income from my intermittent work barely covers our essential needs. Out of the allocated funds, $10 was directed towards my son's school fees, and the remaining $70 was spent on clothing for my children and myself during the festive season. I am thrilled that the support I received has enabled me to finally have a decent house, bringing a sense of happiness and security to our lives.

At around 3:00 p.m., I was returning from my daily work on my neighbor's farm, where we had been planting tomatoes, a tiring task. Despite my exhaustion, I needed to stop by the river to collect water from the 20-liter jerrican I had left in the morning. While carrying the water, my phone suddenly beeped. I quickly pulled it out of my pocket and checked the message. To my surprise, it was an Mpesa notification confirming the receipt of a GD transfer. Overwhelmed with joy, I hurriedly made my way home, already thinking about how to wisely use the money.

Receiving the transfer has been a transformative experience for me and my family. The financial support has not only alleviated our immediate concerns but has also opened up new possibilities for our future. With the funds, I made a strategic decision to invest in two sheep. This choice was driven by the understanding that these animals have the potential to multiply, creating a sustainable source of income for us. By carefully nurturing and growing our sheep flock, we anticipate having more sheep to sell in the future. The income generated from these sales will be invaluable, especially in supporting my children's education. With better access to education, my children will have the opportunity to build a brighter future for themselves.

The transfer brought a glimmer of hope into my life. Being a single mother of two, life has been incredibly challenging. I rely on sporadic farm work to provide for my family, which becomes even scarcer during the dry season. Receiving the transfer inspired me to invest in our future. I allocated $50 to lease half an acre of land for growing maize, both for commercial sale and our own consumption. This ensures that my children won't go hungry next year and will have their essential needs met. I used $70 to fulfill a dream I had longed for – buying two sheep. These animals have a promising future as they multiply quickly and thrive in our area with minimal care. I plan to sell them to cover my children's education expenses. Additionally, I used $50 to clear a lingering school debt for my older child in pre-school, bringing me immense peace as the debt had been pending since June. The remaining funds were utilized to purchase food for my family.