I have a goal of starting a grocery store. I chose this type of business after realizing that people travel long distances looking for vegetables. Since I save money in a merry-go-round group, I have a target of starting the business as soon as my turn of receiving the money comes. As per how it goes, my turn may fall in late December this year.

Initially, our community people did not have any investments due to poverty. They could not start any kind of business because whatever they got was from hand to mouth. GiveDirectly enables us and uplifted us to a higher level of investment. Currently, people have invested in shops and other businesses which give them their daily needs. On my side, I invested in livestock because I felt it was safer than a shop and can be easily converted to monetary value if the need arises.

On the withdrawal day, I bought a sack of maize for $60. This was the first thing I did because hunger had struck us and drought had no mercy on us. I am happy because my family got some food which took them some time and rested from the tiring job of making charcoals. Since I had started investing in livestock from the first transfer, I continued by buying a cow for $170 and four chickens for $12. I also bought four iron sheets for $44 to renovate my house. In addition, I bought four plastic chairs because I had only one chair at home. This was shameful once I receive visitors and I had to borrow from neighbors or offer the visitors some logs to seat on. I saw it prudent to keep the remaining amount for the family's use.

It was around 4 PM when I was just from my daily hustle when I realized that I had received my first KES 55000. I wish you could see I reacted at that moment, after seeing light finally. It was indeed a joyous moment not only for me but also for my family. We held a special prayer to thank our dear Lord for the miracles.

The biggest difference is that I now have a decent house which is spacious enough to accommodate my three family members. The previous one had collapsed some ago and I was forced to construct a temporary shelter since I did not have sufficient money to facilitate the construction of a new house. It has however not been easy at all considering there was no privacy. Also, we were always affected by the harsh weather and sometimes attacked by harmful insects. My children and I have always been in and out of hospitals for that case. All these challenges that we faced have affected their performance in school because they were always at home as a result. I have therefore been praying to God to see us through this situation. I am grateful that He answered my prayer time and that I was finally able to own a beautiful house. We have now been sheltering without having to worry about the rains and all sorts of challenges we've been through.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying iron sheets, building poles, threads, and nails at a total of KES 33500. I intended to build a new house because the previous one collapsed and I was forced to sleep in a temporary hut together with my children. We have been experiencing so many challenges like insecurities, among others. I am glad that for now, we are comfortably sheltering in a very decent house which is spacious enough. Also, I paid school fees of KES 4500 for my son in grade six. The exam was around the corner and it's my pleasure he managed to sit for it. I also bought one goat at KES 3800. I opted for the goats because they mature very fast as compared to the other domestic animals. With the remaining amount, I bought food for my three family members which lasted for almost a month.