I want to work hard to ensure my son goes to college to study as a machine operator. It has been his dream for as long as I can remember. To make this a reality, I am working hard to make money, saving as much as I can while ensuring we have enough to feed my family. My daughter, who is in Grade 6, will be joining Junior Secondary School next year. I have a cow I bought from the first cash transfers I received and by next year, I will be milking the cow, and I plan to sell the milk to make money to pay for her school fees. I feel a sense of determination and hope and though it won't be easy, I am ready to put in the effort for my children's future. With hard work, I am confident I can accomplish these goals in the coming year.

Receiving money from GiveDirectly has been incredibly beneficial for my family and I. The best part is that we have the freedom to spend the money however we need, without any restrictions. This flexibility means we can address our most pressing needs, whether it's food, education, or starting a small business. The amount given was also quite substantial, allowing us to make significant improvements and start various projects that we wouldn't have been able to afford otherwise. Another commendable aspect of GiveDirectly's approach is their fairness and inclusivity. Everyone in our community received the money without any discrimination, ensuring that no one was left out. Before the money was distributed, we were thoroughly educated about the program, so we knew exactly what to expect. This transparency and preparation helped us to use the money wisely and effectively. Honestly, there's nothing I would change about how GiveDirectly operates; they've done everything perfectly.

When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I decided to use $250 to pay for my son to undertake a driving course before he could acquire his driver's license. He has always wanted to be a machine operator, but first, he needs to go through driving school to acquire basic driving skills. With the driver's license, he will be eligible to train on how to operate heavy machinery, opening up more opportunities for him in the future. In addition to the initial driving course fee, I have managed to save $300 from the transfers for his training. This amount will go towards his tuition for learning to operate heavy machinery once he completes his driving course. However, the training is quite expensive, so we are trying to accumulate more funds from our casual jobs to cover the remaining costs. My husband works at a water company, and I take on various casual labor jobs to raise money to support our family and ensure our son's education and training are fully funded. The cash transfer has provided us with the initial boost we needed, and we are determined to work hard and save more to see him through his training. It's a challenging journey, but knowing that we are investing in his future makes every effort worthwhile.

As the sun dipped low in the evening sky, casting long shadows across the land, I found myself in my neighbor's compound, engrossed in the simple task of fetching water. Suddenly, amidst the routine, the loud vibration of my phone startled me. Curiosity piqued, so I reached for it and discovered an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. A rush of joy flooded over me as I realized the significance of the notification that I had received an unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. Without hesitation, I called my husband, who was in town, to share the news. The excitement in his voice mirrored my own, as we both embraced the realization that our dreams were finally within reach. With this unexpected support, we could now fulfill our long-held aspiration of purchasing cows and goats, a prospect that filled our hearts with happiness and gratitude for the newfound opportunities ahead.

Since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly, my life has undergone a remarkable transformation, filling me with happiness and renewed ambition. With the funds, I made a crucial investment by purchasing a dairy cow, a decision that has opened up a world of possibilities for me and my family of five. I now feel empowered to pursue my dreams, particularly the goal of providing my children with a quality education and ensuring they have opportunities beyond what I could have imagined. The prospect of sending them to high schools and colleges fills me with pride and optimism for the future. Moreover, the dairy cow not only symbolizes hope but also practical benefits; soon, my family will enjoy a steady supply of milk, improving our health and well-being. But the benefits don't end there. I've calculated that by selling the surplus milk to local markets at $0.5 per liter, I'll have a reliable additional income stream, empowering me to further support my family and invest in our future. No longer will my children face the humiliation of being sent home from school due to unpaid fees, a burden that weighed heavily on us before. And for my husband, a casual laborer struggling to make ends meet, the relief of knowing our bills will be settled on time is immeasurable. With each passing day, I am filled with gratitude for the opportunity GiveDirectly has provided, propelling us towards a brighter, more secure future.

Owning livestock had always been a dream nestled deep within my heart, a dream that felt distant until the day the unconditional cash transfer arrived. With $300 in hand, I wasted no time in investing in a dairy cow and a goat, envisioning a future where its milk would not only nourish my family but also become a source of income. The prospect of selling milk for $0.5 a liter in my village filled me with hope, a beacon of financial stability in an uncertain world. As I watched the cow settle into its new home, I couldn't help but imagine the possibilities that lay ahead. With diligent care, I knew it would multiply, providing opportunities to send my children to high schools and colleges and fulfilling aspirations that once seemed out of reach. With $200 allocated to renovating our home, I breathed a sigh of relief. The leaky roof had long been a source of worry, threatening our peace and safety. Now, with sturdy iron sheets, I could envision a home where my family could thrive without fear of collapse or incessant leaks during rainy seasons. With the remaining $50, I ensured that our table would be filled with nourishing food, a luxury that had often eluded us. As a housekeeper earning $40 a month and with my husband as a casual laborer, the road had been fraught with challenges. Yet, with careful planning and the assistance of the cash transfer, a brighter future beckoned, filled with the promise of prosperity and stability for my family of five.