My key focus is on taking my business to new heights by venturing into the world of clothing sales. With a burning desire to expand and grow, I am determined to make this vision a reality. As soon as my current business gains momentum and stability, I will seize the opportunity to introduce the clothing line. I am confident that this endeavor will lead to not only growth but also the fulfillment of my long-term aspirations.

I am experiencing a newfound sense of empowerment and independence. Their unconditional money transfer has allowed me to invest in my passion for sewing, and I now have my very own sewing machine. Their commitment to empowering individuals like me is truly commendable, and I am incredibly grateful for the opportunity they have given me to pursue my passion and build a brighter future.

After receiving the second transfer, I invested in a sewing machine for myself, a long-desired dream that I couldn't afford until now. Hiring one every month was draining my resources, but now I have my own, and I can keep all the earnings for myself. This means I can fully provide for my family of three without any financial worries. The burden of paying commissions is lifted, and I can focus on growing my sewing business. In addition, I used $105 of the cash transfer to purchase three goats. These are not just animals; they are assets that can offer security during times of financial constraints. They are well-suited to thrive in our region, making them a practical investment. As my spouse and I both work hard to make ends meet, having these goats will give us some peace of mind and a fallback option. Lastly, I ensured my family's immediate needs were met by buying food. My spouse's income as a taxi driver may not be huge, but with my new sewing business and the goats, we now have a better chance of building a more stable and prosperous future together.

I was bathing my newborn on that particular evening when I heard my phone ringing so loudly. I was nervous and even stopped a little bit from the task I was handling and checked who had sent the message during that hour. I felt extremely happy after reading that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. Without wasting time, I shared the news with my spouse and discussed how we would start one of our projects, which was to build a decent house.

Owning the goats feels like a blessing to me and my family at large. I am optimistic that these goats will allow me to generate money at any time to meet any pressing needs. First, the issue of raising school fees and providing food for the family is well sorted. Before then, I couldn't afford to own even one since they were a bit costly. For now, all three of my children are still in primary school, and by the time they join a high school or even college, the goats will have multiplied in number. Therefore, it will be easier for me to support them throughout their educational journey. This is therefore a lifetime investment, for which I can't thank GiveDirectly enough.

I have always wanted to build a new house, but I could not afford to buy any of the materials. This is because I relied on hand-to-mouth hustles that could come my way, besides being a tailor by profession. My initial house was small and could not fit all my four family members, which were growing. Therefore, I spent $270 to purchase building poles, iron sheets, and a metal door. I am so grateful that I was finally able to build a beautiful house that is spacious enough to have extra room for visitors. I also bought two goats, which I believe will thrive well considering that I have sufficient land for rearing them as well as favorable climatic conditions. At least I will have assets that I can rely on in case I am stuck financially.