I am a tailor and I have not been able to expand my business for the longest time because the little that I earn usually goes to basic needs, paying rent for the business shop and paying for the sewing machine which I have been lent at a cost of KES 1500 monthly. My husband who does manial jobs would sometime go for three days or a week without a job forcing me to step in and take all the family responsibilities. This has denied me opportunity to buy a sewing machine as I would get some good money during high seasons and spend it all on paying debts. When I was enrolled in the program, my goal was to expand my business and buy a sewing machine things that I have been saving for over the last six months. From the savings that I had, I was able to pay school fees for our seven children and buy more materials for my business and this has attracted more customers.

GiveDirectly is an able partner and supporter of everyone regardless of your background or race. They uplift livelihoods and always encourage the betterment of families.

Receiving the 1st transfer of KES 1200, I was so glad as I was able to offer a helping hand in purchasing some food produce at KES 100 and splitting the rest of the amount (KES1100) on clearing some school fees balance. GiveDirectly have been a wonderful source of help as they offered me a 2nd transfer of KES 3050 and enabled me to get a step closer to my dream of being a tailor as I was able to save KES 2000 to atleast acquire a tailoring machine. The remaining KES 1000, I was able to add on to the school fees of my children to also better their education.

I was actually busy doing house chores that day when my neighbour approached me informing me she had received her money and after I went ahead to check my phone I too had received the money. I was excited and felt very lucky because I had no idea how I was going to pay tuition fee for my children to go back to school until the money arrived.

There has not been much difference in my life as of yet but the fact that this money was sent just when my children had no fees and were back home was very helpful to me and my family. Also in the future the money will be of great help since I can assist in paying for bills so that my husband would not do it all by himself.

The day I received the money three of my children had actually been sent home from school that same day, so after I saw I received the money I decide to hand it to them instead so that they could go back to school and resume their classes. I gave them KES 1,100 which was split among them. It was not much and I had not cleared the debt but the little that I paid would allow them to stay in school for the meantime. As for what was left which was KES 100 I decided to buy a packet of maize flour so that we could have a meal since my husband was not lucky enough to make any money that day.