When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, the most urgent need was paying for my children's school fees. With three kids in high school, the burden of fees felt overwhelming. Without hesitation, I used the entire amount to clear their fees for the current term. Now, with this term's fees taken care of, I'm already working hard to prepare for the next term. I firmly believe that investing in my children's education is crucial for our family's future. By obtaining a good education, they'll have opportunities for decent jobs, which will ultimately benefit them and our family in the long run.

GiveDirectly has done a great job. They tackled the food security issue effectively. The drought's impact was severe, but thanks to GiveDirectly, most people now have enough food. They addressed the education problem. Children are no longer staying at home but are attending school regularly. It's a positive change that benefits everyone in the community.

This year, my main focus will be caring for my young child and grandchild. Also, our family goal is to start farming once the rainy season begins. This goal is important to us because it will ensure we have enough food. Achieving this will bring me great happiness and fulfillment.

Upon receiving my transfer, my immediate priority was to stock up on food supplies, especially maize. With schools closed and a family consisting of 10 children and the two of us, I anticipated increased food consumption. As a farmer, and with my husband running a butchery at the center, we strategically utilized the transfer. I used $90 to purchase two sacks of maize and an additional $40 for various food items. Subsequently, my husband invested $100 in boosting his business, and we spent $80 to fence our land, ensuring undisturbed cultivation. Additionally, we purchased clothes amounting to $50 and contributed $45 as a tithe to the church. The timely support from GiveDirectly uplifted our lives significantly, and we are genuinely grateful for this positive transformation.

The organization excels in empowering the less fortunate in society by elevating their living standards through various business endeavors. Additionally, the unconditional nature of the transfer facilitated the flexible use of funds according to our specific needs. Thus far, I have not identified any aspects that require correction in their approach to their work.

In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspiration is to reintegrate my daughter into secondary school, as she had to discontinue her education due to early pregnancy. Additionally, I aim to pursue training in tailoring. To realize these dreams, I intend to utilize the funds generated from our enhanced butchery business, which has been boosted by the transfer we received.

The testimonies from the neighboring villages, which emphasized the program's authenticity and the significant improvements they experienced after receiving their transfers, fueled our excitement after enrolling in it. We were so excited, we could not wait for our turn. My concerns and trepidations started to fade when I got the confirming alert on my phone that afternoon, and the following morning, I started using the money. Given my reliance on scarce and low-paying casual jobs within the village, obtaining a sustainable source of food was paramount. Therefore, I spent $70 to purchase a sack of maize, which has been a valuable food reserve for my family of 10. Following that, my priority was paying the school fees for my two secondary school children. Despite them being frequently sent home due to unpaid tuition charges, I could not afford to settle the dues. In agreement with my spouse, we dedicated $100 to cover a month's worth of tuition charges, with plans to make the subsequent deposit when we receive the second transfer. Additionally, the remaining $29 was utilized for various household essentials such as toiletries, sugar, cooking oil, and kitchenware that were missing. While we do have livestock, we tend to rely on them only during extreme conditions, leading to the sale of one or two. I am genuinely grateful that GiveDirectly intervened, generously offering support not only now but also with the forthcoming transfers.

I am thankful that I have managed to cover the school fees for my two secondary school children and adequately provide for my family of 10, especially during the periods when my children are home after their schools close. These times used to pose challenges, but I am appreciative of the biggest difference that the recent transfer from GiveDirectly has brought about in our lives. This support has granted us the opportunity to enjoy sufficient food consistently.

Receiving the initial transfer from GiveDirectly brought about a deep sense of gratitude. Although my children were away at school and I was home alone at that moment, I could not help but celebrate the joy of this positive news that evening. As soon as they returned, I shared the wonderful news with them, and they too were excited, as we had been collectively anticipating this support, with plans on how to allocate it dominating our daily conversations. With my plans well laid out, I patiently waited until the following day to journey to the nearby shopping center, where I collected the money and subsequently made the purchases according to our set priorities.