My new goal is to clear the debt of KES 20,000 that I had borrowed from our women's financial group earlier. This was to support the education of my children who had been out of school due to huge fee balances. The lenders are threatening to auction some of the household items something that always makes me worried.

GiveDirectly did well in enrolling my household into the program. Moreover, giving cash aid instead of material things is what they did well. In addition, no one was forced into the program after the village meeting. I do not see anything that it did not do well.

I invested KES 32,000 into my goat rearing an activity that I have depended on to educate our 4 children and support other needs like food and shelter. I bought 8 goats more and currently have a flock of 10 goats. This is our long-term investment for my children as it will help me to educate them. Especially, when they are sent out of school I would sell them to clear their fees. Additionally, goats are good compared to cattle since they can endure harsh weather conditions like long droughts. Furthermore, I used KES 10,000 to clear all the fee arrears as well as pay the term two fees in full. Currently, they are learning without any interruption something that makes me happy. The remaining amount assisted me to acquire modern and proper bedding for the family since we were using old rags as bedding which was not comfortable.

I learned that I had received my transfer at exactly 7 in the morning when I was about to prepare breakfast for my kids. As a family, we were overjoyed with happiness for this great fortune that we have praying for. By the time I received the cash, my spouse was not at home and I decided to wait for him and plan on how as could use the money appropriately.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have goats in my compound. This is what I have been dreaming of for so many years and I consider it an answer to prayer. I opted for them because I am certain they will increase in number within a short period. Once they multiply they will be of great support, especially for my children's education journey. Currently, I do not have any reliable source of income, we have been depending on my spouse for our daily upkeep. Having a family of five, it has never been easy raising them. Most of the time we could not afford to take the three meals and skip some. Also, my children were always at home because of the arrears. For now, I will no longer have to worry because, in case of any emergency, I will be in a position to sell some and settle the problem.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying eight goats at a total of KES 32000. I have been yearning to have them in my compound but they were very expensive. I settled for them because they reproduce and mature very fast. Also, I bought a new bed and a mattress at KES 10000. I am now happy and grateful because I am sleeping in a better environment as compared to before whereby I was using the traditional beds which I was not comfortable with. In addition to that, I bought new school uniforms for my four children and cleared arrears of KES 4000. They are now continuing with their studies without any interference. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household items.