My main aim is to set in motion a plan that has been brewing in my mind for quite some time. With a plot already secured, my focus now shifts to generating the necessary cash flow to realize my dream of building rental houses. This ambitious project holds immense promise, not just for my family's financial stability but also for securing a better future for my children, particularly when it comes to funding their higher education. Thankfully, my husband is on board with the plan and has agreed to take out a loan to help fund this endeavor in the months to come. While it's a significant step that involves some financial risk, I firmly believe that the long-term benefits far outweigh any immediate challenges. By investing in rental properties, we're not just building houses but laying down a foundation of security and opportunity for generations to come.

From my perspective, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in their approach. The unconditional nature of the cash they provided gave me a newfound sense of agency and autonomy. I had the freedom to decide how best to utilize the funds based on my family's immediate needs and long-term goals. This level of trust and respect for recipients' decision-making abilities is commendable and sets GiveDirectly apart. By trusting recipients to know what's best for themselves and their families, the organization has created a model of assistance that promotes dignity, self-reliance, and agency.

For years, the weight of fear bore down on me, overshadowing even the simplest moments with worry for my family's safety. The dilapidated state of our pit latrine was a constant source of anxiety, especially with my four young children. To put an end to this perpetual worry, I decided to invest $350 of the recent cash transfer into constructing a modern pit latrine. By purchasing bricks, bags of cement, and pipes and covering transportation costs. I ensured that my family could relieve themselves in a safe and hygienic environment, free from the looming threat of collapse and diseases like cholera. The sense of relief that washed over me as the construction was completed was immeasurable, knowing that my children were no longer at risk and that our home was now a safer place.  With $195 remaining, I saw an opportunity to breathe new life into my struggling business. Reviving my clothing and small fish business became my priority, a venture once teetering on the brink of collapse due to insufficient capital. Now, with a thriving business, I no longer rely solely on my spouse, who works as a storekeeper at a nearby school. This newfound financial stability not only allows us to meet our family's needs comfortably but also empowers us to address any unforeseen challenges promptly. Thanks to this assistance, the weight of uncertainty has lifted, replaced by a newfound sense of security and stability for our family.

I was at home around 6 pm, doing my daily chores, when my phone buzzed. Upon checking, I found that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was rushed with so much joy and couldn't wait for my husband to come home from work so that I could share the good news with him. Later on that day, my husband arrived, shared the good news and I gave him my phone to read the message for himself. We were so excited and hugged each other with so much happiness because we could not believe that such a blessing could also happen to us. My first thought was to buy beds and mattresses for my children. I have 4 children whose beds were not in good condition; the beddings were worn out, hence making their sleep not as restful as it is supposed to be. My dream had always been to get good beddings for my children, which was very difficult for me and my husband because we are servicing a loan we took to buy a shamba.

My aspiration was to provide my children with comfortable and cozy sleeping arrangements. Now, my children are delighted and enjoy peaceful sleep compared to before, when discomfort caused them to toss and turn frequently and have restless nights. With their improved sleep quality, I can now focus on expanding my business without the constant worry of my children struggling to rest on worn-out beds. With the capital boost in my tailoring business, I can now channel more effort into increasing our family income to meet our needs and also help my husband more in servicing the loan we took to buy a Shamba and clear it earlier so that we can focus on other income generating investments.

My husband serves as a procurement officer at a secondary school, while I operate a tailoring business in our village. Almost all of my earnings and husband's salary is channeled towards loan payments, a loan we took to buy a Shamba so that we could have a place to do farming. We have 4 children whom we live with, and they have been in dire need of beds and mattresses because they have been sleeping on worn-out bedding, and the beds were not comfortable for them to have a restful sleep. Upon receiving the transfer, I dedicated $500 towards purchasing 2 beds, 2 mattresses, and bed linen for my four children, with whom I reside. It saddened me deeply to see them enduring discomfort on worn-out mattresses and beds. The loan repayment made it difficult for us to raise money to buy them good beds and mattresses. Upon receiving the transfer, I dedicated $500 towards purchasing 2 beds, 2 mattresses, and bed linen for my children. Witnessing their peaceful sleep in their new beds, free from tossing and turning, filled me with immense joy. Prioritizing their need for new beds has always been my top priority, but our financial situation made it seem unattainable.With $47 remaining from the transfer, I chose to reinvest it in my tailoring business, which has been my livelihood for nearly a decade. This additional capital infusion has boosted my business's revenue, allowing me to generate supplementary income to meet our family's daily needs.