Once I get some money, my heart is set on achieving a dream I've held close to my heart for years. I want to start a cozy cafeteria business, a place where people can gather, savor delicious food, and create lasting memories. This venture isn't just about monetary gain; it's about the sense of fulfillment that comes with building something from scratch. With my family in mind, I envision a warm and inviting space where my loved ones can work alongside me, sharing in the joy of our shared accomplishments. The cafeteria will be a source of pride for us, not only providing for our needs but also fostering a sense of community in the neighborhood. With passion as my guiding force and the support of my family, I am confident that this endeavor will bring success but also profound satisfaction.

The approach of providing financial support without any restrictions allowed us to make the best decisions for our individual needs. It felt empowering to have the freedom to use the funds in ways that would benefit us the most. Whether it was investing in our small businesses, improving our living conditions, or supporting our children's education, the choice was ours to make. What made the experience even more commendable was GiveDirectly's fair and inclusive selection criteria. It brought a sense of unity and contentment among us, knowing that everyone had an equal opportunity to receive assistance. GiveDirectly's trust in our judgment and their unwavering support has left a lasting impact on our lives, and for that, we are incredibly grateful.

Upon receiving the transfer, I prioritized my family's needs. First and foremost, I used $180 to pay off the accumulated school fees for all six of my children. Education is vital, and I didn't want them to miss out on any opportunities due to financial constraints. It was such a relief to see them back in school, eager to learn and grow. Thereafter, I focused on completing the long-delayed roofing of my house. With $144, I bought 16 pieces of iron sheets, ensuring that we would no longer be at the mercy of harsh weather conditions. I also paid the roofing contractor $45 for his hard work and dedication in finishing the job. Our house was finally secure and comfortable, a place where we could thrive as a family. Additionally, I settle a debt of $65 at the cereal shop where I had taken a sack of maize on credit during tough times. Clearing this burden lifted a weight off my shoulders. With the remaining amount, I focused on maintaining my family's well-being. We stocked up on essential supplies and even managed to save a small portion for unforeseen circumstances.

I was hopelessly walking from the farm when I saw a notification on my mobile phone. I even decided to ignore it since I had a lot running through my mind. However, I heard one of my neighbors celebrating and ululating while mentioning GiveDirectly. I became curious, and upon reading what I had on my phone, I couldn't believe what I saw. It was an Mpesa message notifying me that I had received my transfer. I couldn't wait to reach home so that I could share the good news with my family. Also on that particular day, I had to buy food for my children, who had been lacking food for the last day.

For now, I rely on casual jobs for survival, such as making charcoal and sometimes working on people's farms. Being the third wife has also been a challenge for me considering that my spouse is extremely old and ailing. Therefore, I have been picking up the slack to make sure that ends meet and at least bring bread to the table. However, this was sometimes unachievable. In a day, I earn roughly $1. Therefore, paying the fees for my children has never been easy at all. My children have therefore been on and off, which used to be a trend, and this has equally affected them both psychologically and academically. Therefore, the fact that I have been able to send them to school has made me strong enough to continue working hard for them.

For the last two weeks, my four children, who are in grades six, five, four, and three, have been staying at home due to the accumulated arrears. As a mother, it pained me the most, and I had vowed to do any job that came my way to raise the cash needed. Therefore, after receiving it, I had to pay the whole amount to avoid distractions. They are now happy and ambitious to be in school with the rest. On top of that, I settled a loan of $80 to a microfinance group. I now feel content as well as thankful that I have peace of mind. Also, I am positive that I can be granted another loan if the need arises. Additionally, I bought a few building materials, which I will use to build a new house considering that the current one is very small. Furthermore, it was serving as a kitchen, so you can imagine the smoke. This has been affecting my children, and they used to cough terribly. Also, there was no privacy at all since the house could not accommodate the nine children. In the next month, I will feel relieved once my house is completed. Finally, due to the prolonged drought that we used to experience, I decided to buy plenty of food, which sustained us for almost three weeks.