In the coming years, my primary goal is to prioritize my children's education, ensuring the timely payment of their fees. This is essential to creating an environment where they can concentrate on their studies, a crucial step in securing our family's financial stability in the future. The plan involves leasing land near a river for easy irrigation access. I am committed to putting in the necessary effort to ensure timely farm activities and acquire the required inputs. I will be alternating between maize and beans farming, and I aim to sell the produce to cover educational expenses. The prospect of providing the best for my children brings a sense of purpose and determination.

I am genuinely grateful for GD's generous support, which has allowed us to achieve a significant milestone that felt like an unattainable dream before. The transfer played a crucial role in settling my children's education expenses. Without it, I am certain they would be at home while their peers continue with their studies. The relief from the stress of educational expenses is truly appreciated.

I have three children in secondary school who were scheduled to return to school in early January this year. The requirement of school fees was imminent, and the possibility of them being sent home due to non-payment loomed large. Our usual source of income, a half-acre maize farm, was unproductive due to a severe drought that affected all our crops. I needed about $500 to secure their education for this year, and the stress of not knowing where to turn was overwhelming. The transfer arrived on time. Upon receiving it, I felt a wave of joy, realizing that my problem could now be resolved. I promptly used $300 to cover the school fees, ensuring that my children wouldn't be sent home. I allocated $40 to add a sheep to my existing herd of three goats—an investment that I anticipate will multiply and provide additional support for my children's education. The remaining amount was used to purchase two sacks of dry maize grains, securing a stable food supply for my family.

In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to establish both a retail shop and a grocery store. I firmly believe that this venture has the potential to increase my income significantly, which, in turn, will help me meet my children's school fees expenses. To bring this dream to reality, my plan is to allocate the funds generated from my farming activities, a feat that wasn't feasible previously due to the immense burden of school fees. However, I am filled with hope and optimism that through hard work, I can make this goal a reality.

The assistance provided by GiveDirectly has been a tremendous blessing in our lives, as it has bestowed upon us financial independence. We were given the freedom to utilize our transfer according to our specific needs, unlike other projects that dictate how the funds should be spent. In conclusion, I have strong confidence in the flawless execution of the program, leaving no room for any concerns that warrant attention.

Upon receiving our second transfer, my husband and I recognized the immediate need of prioritizing our children's school fees. This decision was driven by the fact that we have two children in secondary school and two in primary school, with outstanding tuition fees. Given that our income primarily relies on farming, which is often insufficient due to challenging climatic conditions and the need to cover both school fees and essential expenses like food , medication and others, we were unable to pay the entire amount at once. Consequently, we spent $200 for school fees, $80 to purchase two goats, $50 on beans farming and the remaining $120 for essential food expenses. I am greatly relieved that our children can now pursue their education comfortably, and we no longer live hand-to-mouth when it comes to food.

I was immersed in doing my family's laundry on the day the financial transfer came. I was hurriedly trying to finish everything since I had a sizable pile of laundry to wash. The tone of the incoming SMS message was familiar, but I didn't even notice it because I had my phone tucked away in my pocket. I didn't decide to check my phone for missed calls or messages until after I finished the washing, at approximately 5:00 p.m. To my utter surprise and delight, I discovered a message from Mpesa, indicating that I had received the much-anticipated transfer from GiveDirectly. The rush of emotions that overcame me at that moment was indescribable. I was elated, and I couldn't contain my happiness. I immediately shared the incredible news with my children, who were at home due to school closures. We all rejoiced together, knowing that the funds would enable us to purchase essential food items that we had been lacking. The anticipation of going shopping the following day filled our hearts with excitement and gratitude.

The impact of the transfer on my life has been immensely positive. I find myself in a much better place, free from the constant worries about how to cover school fees and provide enough food for my family. Our daily meals have improved significantly, and my family now enjoys three balanced meals a day, in contrast to the past, when we struggled to have just two meals that lacked proper nutrition. Furthermore, my children can now fully focus on their studies without the frequent disruptions caused by being sent home for unpaid school fees. This newfound stability has brought peace and relief to our lives.

Given the challenges we faced in farming and the need to ensure our family's sustenance, we made the prudent decision to use $80 of the transfer to acquire a full sack of maize, along with other essential food items. As peasant farmers, we heavily rely on agricultural activities for our livelihood. Unfortunately, this year, adverse weather conditions, characterized by insufficient rainfall, significantly impacted our farm production. Consequently, we were only able to harvest half a sack of maize from our one-acre maize plantation, which is too little for my family of six. Moreover, I allocated $40 to purchase a goat, adding it to my existing herd of six. This investment is particularly valuable in our region, as goats have a rapid reproduction rate and grow quickly. This approach allows me to secure my children's education by selling some of the goats when needed. I used the remaining $60 to pay the school fees for my two high school-going children, who were reporting for their final term of the year. This was crucial to ensuring they could continue their education without any disruptions. As a parent, I am now filled with contentment and relief, knowing that my children will be able to focus wholeheartedly on their studies. Without this support, we would have faced significant challenges, as we were almost depleting our goat herd to meet these essential expenses.