In the quiet corners of my heart, a steadfast goal has taken root, shaping the very essence of my aspirations. As I look toward the uncertain future, my unwavering priority is the education of my beloved children. They are the stars that light up my sky, and I am determined to gift them the brilliant inheritance of knowledge and opportunity. With hands toiled by the labors of life, I have been saving every coin earned from my occasional toils, weaving a fragile safety net for their dreams. I possess no lavish material treasures to endow, but I harbor a fortune in dreams that dance within their eager eyes. My sacrifices may paint the path, but faith paints the masterpiece. For even when the well of resources seems shallow, I find solace in the belief that divine hands will sculpt a way for my precious ones, shaping their destinies with the wealth that truly matters.

I appreciate that GiveDirectly chose to provide monetary assistance so that everyone may choose the best possible solution to their financial issues. This was equally significant since everyone had various concerns, and each person was able to address their issues in order of importance. The flexibility in using the money offered us an opportunity to advance.

When the much-awaited cash transfer from GiveDirectly finally arrived, relief washed over me like a soothing rain after a long drought. The weight of worry that had been bearing down on my shoulders lifted, replaced by a glimmer of hope. My three secondary school children's education had always been my top priority, but the school fees had been a constant source of sleepless nights. Determined to secure their future, I used $480 of the transfer to pay their entire school fees for the year. As I handed over the money to the school administrator, I felt a mixture of pride and gratitude. The burden that had haunted me was now lifted, and my children could continue their studies without interruption. With a portion of the cash remaining, I turned my attention to improving our family's living conditions. Our home was in dire need of some basic household equipment that we had been lacking for years. I bought a set of new utensils that brought a shine to our mealtimes, and even a few blankets to keep us warm during chilly nights. Each purchase felt like an investment in our well-being, a small step towards a brighter future.

I had gone to check on my cows in a nearby grazing field, and I had left my phone at home. When I returned later that evening, I heard my son exclaim joyfully that I had received money from my phone. I was curious as to who might have sent me money or if it had been sent to the wrong person. However, I assumed that GiveDirectly had also promised to send money. When I asked who the sender was, I was overjoyed because it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I thanked them because I had tried to raise fees for my son, who is pursuing an ICT course; he was on the verge of missing his exams, and receiving the transfer gave us some hope.

My two sons are currently enrolled in college and high school, and they had massive fee arrears totaling KES 56000. They were about to miss their exams because I could not pay on time. I was worried because clearing even half of the arrears would take a long time. They would have been discontinued if it had not been for the transfer. I also have other children who rely on me for their school fees, and I do not have a steady source of income; I just look after my neighbor's cows and sell milk, for which I earn KES 1000 per week. This is insufficient to purchase food for my household while also paying fees. I am grateful because the transfer has resulted in all of my children attending school, which is by far the most significant difference in my daily life.

Because of financial constraints, I was unable to attend school, and I would not want my children to face the same fate. Despite my financial difficulties, all I want is for my children to excel in their studies. My son is in college and is currently pursuing an ICT course, and I have two children, one in high school and one in primary school. They had fee arrears that I could not afford to pay. When I got the transfer, I took KES 45000 and paid for all of them so that they could continue their education. This not only kept them from being dropped from their classes but also gave me plenty of time to plan for the next payment. In addition, I spent KES 5000 on a new mattress to replace the old one, which was worn out and no longer provided comfortable sleep. I am now sleeping soundly and comfortably thanks to my new bedding. I used the rest of the money to buy food, including a bag of maize flour, to ensure that there was enough food in the house.