My primary goal now is to buy more goats and keep them on my homestead. Since goats are expensive and I cannot afford them on my own, I have decided to join a merry-go-round where I save about $10 a month. My aim is to increase my savings until I can purchase goats. Over time, these goats will multiply, and I plan to exchange some of them for cows. In addition to saving through the merry-go-round, I currently sell mandazis, and I plan to use some of my earnings to ensure I achieve this goal. I am confident that once I succeed, I will no longer feel stressed. Owning livestock will provide me with a sustainable source of income, especially for paying my children's school fees, which has been a constant challenge. This accomplishment will bring me much-needed relief and peace of mind.

My firstborn son is now in grade one, and paying his school fees has been a significant challenge for us as parents, as we rely solely on small businesses for our income. He had an outstanding balance of $18, and there was a constant worry that he would be sent home if we couldn’t clear it on time. Thankfully, this money came at the perfect moment, allowing me to settle the arrears and ensure his education continued without any interruptions or confusion. I also used part of the money to buy a goat for $28, which I am now rearing at home. I’m happy to see my herd grow. I now have four goats in total. My plan is to continue rearing them so that in the future I can trade them for cows, which will bring even greater benefits. Additionally, I saved $14 on the merry-go-round initiative happening in my village. I joined primarily to accumulate funds to buy more goats, as it has been my dream to own them in large numbers. With enough goats, I will be closer to achieving my ultimate goal of owning cows. I also spent $15 to buy iron sheets, as I have been purchasing them bit by bit in preparation for building a new house. Our current house leaks during the rainy season, which has been a major source of stress. I feel a change is necessary, and this is a step toward making it happen. Lastly, I used $27 to buy food for my family, ensuring that we stay healthy and well-fed. Food insecurity has severely affected us due to the ongoing droughts, which have made farming unproductive. This has been a huge relief for my household.

I joined the merry-go-round with the aim of increasing my savings to eventually purchase goats. These goats will multiply over time, and I plan to exchange some for dairy cows. My goal is to generate income by selling milk from the cows. With this income, I intend to buy land and construct rental houses for additional monthly earnings. In addition to saving through the merry-go-round, I currently sell Mandazi's and sweet potatoes. I am confident that the combined income from my business, savings, and selling some of the multiplied cows will help me realize my dreams.

I am a mother of three children, one of whom is currently attending school while the other two are younger. I recently spent $30 on my child's school fees to ensure uninterrupted education, aiming for a bright future for him. Additionally, I participate in a monthly savings group called a merry-go-round, where each member contributes $20. My goal is to save enough to purchase goats, which will multiply over time. Eventually, I plan to exchange some goats for dairy cows to generate income through milk sales. Previously, I began constructing a one-room house but lacked funds to complete it. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I received $34, which enabled me to purchase metal sheets and finish building our new home. Now, we're living in a comfortable house compared to our previous situation.The remaining $18 was used to buy food for my family, ensuring we have enough to eat and avoid going hungry.

In the past few days we have experienced heavy rains in our village. This has caused serious leakages making it uncomfortable to stay in the house. The current situation requires immediate solutions to prevent further destruction of property in my house. I plan on using my subsequent transfers to purchase new pieces of iron sheets and repair the roof. A complete repair on the roof will give me some peace of mind and ensure my property is safe in the house. I am very happy with the financial support that has made my life better.

The roof of my house is in a pathetic state. The iron sheets are rusted and have huge holes that let rainwater into the house. Rainwater has destroyed some furniture in my house, resulting in losses. It is for this reason that I saved $42 in the local savings group, commonly known as a "chama." The savings will help me purchase new pieces of iron sheets to replace the entire roof of my house. I paid $30 in school fees for my son, who attends a private school. It brings me much joy knowing that my son continues to pursue his education without any interruptions. To boost my income, I purchased seven hens for $14. Once the hens multiply, I will sell some in the future and earn a good profit. With the remaining amount of $14, I purchased food, soap, and detergents. My family has never lacked food to eat, thanks to the transfers. I appreciate the financial transfers for helping me take care of my family, despite having a job. I often rely on my husband, who is a casual laborer doing low-paying manual jobs.

In the upcoming year, my primary objective and proudest achievement will be to invest in acquiring livestock. Specifically, I aspire to become the owner of both a bull and a dairy cow. To accomplish this, my strategy involves initially purchasing goats. As they multiply, I will sell them and utilize the proceeds to procure the desired cows. Simultaneously, I am eagerly anticipating the construction of a roomy house that can accommodate my entire family. The prospect of providing a more spacious living environment fills me with great excitement and anticipation. I would like to express my profound gratitude for the financial assistance received from Give Directly. Their support has played a pivotal role in significantly enhancing the quality of my life.

During the rainy season, I allocated $20 to plow my 2-acre land in preparation for planting. I am delighted to share that I had a remarkable harvest, resulting in an abundance of maize that will serve as a source of food for my family. Prior to the harvest, I spent $48 to ensure that my family never went to bed on an empty stomach, purchasing essential food items from local shops. In an effort to secure a future source of income, I invested in four hens with the intention of raising them and allowing them to multiply. Eventually, I plan to sell the offspring and generate additional funds. Additionally, I successfully cleared a school fee debt for my son who attends Ikanga Primary School. It brings me great joy to know that he will begin the next academic year without any outstanding fees. Lastly, I set aside $10 in a savings group, aiming to accumulate enough funds to construct a larger, more spacious house. The current one we reside in is quite small and lacks sufficient room for our family of four. I am incredibly grateful for the financial support that has allowed me and my family to experience an improved quality of life.

As a dedicated mother of three, I am focused on improving our living conditions and securing a brighter future. By saving money in a merry go round, I aim to build a larger and more comfortable home for my family. Additionally, I have ambitious plans to start a business selling fish and vegetables, building upon my current venture of selling mandazi through hawking. My ultimate goal is to create a sustainable source of income that supports my family and contributes positively to the community.

As a devoted mother of three, I approached my financial decisions with utmost care and responsibility. With a keen eye for providing the best for my family, I allocated my funds wisely. A portion of $10 was set aside for my house building project, in a merry go round, ensuring that it would serve its intended function. Recognizing the paramount importance of education, I dedicated another $10 towards nurturing my child's academic journey and he is in grade two. Additionally, I prudently saved $4 in my personal account, nurturing my own financial well-being. Remaining mindful of our daily needs, I judiciously utilized the remaining $10 to procure essential food supplies.Thank you so much GiveDirectly because you made me take responsibility and be committed as a loving mother.

My main aim this year was to build my own home. I now live in a room that was a room that was kitchen for the family to which I was married into. The kitchen housed animals and was also the place for preparing food. When I was married I was given this house which did not even have a door as we looked for finances to build a house for ourselves. The animals were later sold out by my mother in-law so she could take care of her financial needs which gave us a bit more space. I want to use my march to buy the first materials for building, I want to continue this on a monthly basis untill I have all the materials for biudling this house.

My husband worked as a bus conductor but in January when he came home for a break he was never called back to go work. He was our main breadwinner although I did some business my finances could not sort out our family financial needs. It was difficult as we accumulated a school fee debt and were even struggling to buy food for the family. I was so glad to received GD transfers, although my original plan was to use most of the money buying building materials I was able to clear the school fees debt and even start keeping some animals from this financial support. Also being that both myself and my husband are getting this transfers I believe we will achieve our dream of having our own two room house faster thanks to GD.

I received my first transfer of $14.8 and I used $10 to clear a debt of school fees I had at my child's school of $20 and got it to $10. I also bought a chicken at $4. My second transfer also helped me clear the school debt that was remaining of $10. I also used $5 to buy two chicken at $2.5 each. I used $5 to buy food, I took the amount that was left to be an emergency fund to help sort my child when they were sent out of school because they lack something such as pencils, rubbers, or even books.

It was in the afternoon around 3:00, I was sitting outside my house with my children. I had just finished doing my laundry and also cooked for my children and had taken them outside to rest a bit. My phone was in the house, and I had only gone back in the house to get a change f clothes for my son who had soiled his clothes, I checked my phone on my way out of the house and I was so excited, I had received my transfer from GD after a while of waiting.

The biggest difference I have experienced in my life after receiving this money was the weight lifted off my back with school fees. We usually pay the amount across the whole term and sometimes we are forced to talk to the teacher to bear with us if we cannot raise it. I took a huge amount from the transfers and paid it to school so we do not have to worry about taking care of it for the rest of the term as all we have left to settle is $1 which we can pay along the term without much of a fuss.

I do some small business of selling mangoes and local fish referred to as "Omena" which I try to get an income from, My husband is a bus tout and does not make much as well. We usually struggle to settle my sons school fees and the case wasn't different at the beginning of the school term. I spent $8 from the trasnsers on settling the school fee payments and the remaining amount I spent on buying chicken.