In the upcoming year and beyond, we have a range of aspirations, but first we hope to begin with the expansion of our livestock holdings, particularly by introducing more goats to our farm. This choice is informed by their resilience, as goats can withstand even the harshest weather conditions, which we are currently facing. With our focus on subsistence farming and the supplementary income from my teaching job, our aim is to further develop livestock farming. This will give us the option to sell livestock when the demands of paying school fees become overwhelming. Additionally, we own a plot of land adjacent to the road, acquired some years ago, which we are considering for development purposes. Constructing rental properties on this plot presents an opportunity to establish a consistent source of income through periodic rentals.

From my perspective, GiveDirectly has executed an impressive feat that has truly revolutionized families and their ways of living. The considerable water scarcity challenge has been substantially addressed, with the widespread acquisition of rainwater-collecting tanks or even the utilization of water trucks for tank filling. The freedom to spend the money according to our discretion was a paramount advantage, and this approach would be immensely beneficial if extended to other communities facing urgent needs and diverse goals they aspire to achieve. However, there is room for further enhancement in terms of outreach and assistance diversity to cater to a broader spectrum of needs within these communities.

Right from the onset of our involvement with GiveDirectly, my spouse and I devised a comprehensive strategy for allocating the entire sum in accordance with our prioritized needs. Despite having an extensive list of potential expenditures, we made the conscious choice to focus on addressing our most immediate requirements, which prominently included covering our four children's school fees. In the most recent transfer, we spent a sum of $250 on paying the college fees for our eldest son, who was preparing for a crucial semester of exams. This was an essential investment in his education that we could not compromise on, as we've always aimed to provide him with ample study time. Given that we still have two children in secondary school and one attending a public boarding school, we have reserved the remaining $200 for the upcoming term, during which we will distribute the funds accordingly. I extend my gratitude to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support, which has proven indispensable in ensuring the well-being of my family of eight, even as I earn from my teaching job and my husband manages his maize milling business, which would not have covered all the pressing needs.

Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my utmost goal is to revive the small retail business that I previously operated. Sadly, due to financial constraints earlier this year, I was compelled to temporarily close. To achieve this, my first step will be to restock with a diverse range of goods. This business holds a great value in my life, as it has proven to be an invaluable source of income that assists me in covering both significant and minor household bills. As a teacher, I have devised a plan to allocate a portion of my salary towards this endeavor. Additionally, I have set aside savings specifically earmarked for this purpose. To ensure optimal efficiency, I have made the strategic decision to reopen the business in close proximity to my place of work. This location choice will enable me to strike a balance between my teaching responsibilities and managing the operations of the business. With great anticipation, I look forward to the business flourish once again, providing the financial stability that I earnestly seek in my life.

I am immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for their exceptional work in supporting the well-being of our community. The financial support they provide has been instrumental in addressing our needs. The fairness of their approach has ensured an equitable distribution of free cash transfers across all the villages, promoting inclusivity and unity. I must applaud GiveDirectly for their smooth execution of the program, as everything is flawlessly coordinated. The timeliness and convenience of their support are truly remarkable. By depositing the funds directly into individual accounts, recipients like myself have the freedom to utilize the money whenever it is most needed. This has brought a great sense of convenience to our lives. While GiveDirectly has done an outstanding job in providing direct financial support, there is an opportunity for them to expand their impact further. It would be beneficial for them to explore additional initiatives or partnerships that address other essential aspects such as education, healthcare, or waterprojects. By taking a more comprehensive approach, GiveDirectly could have an even greater transformative effect on our lives and the long-term development of our community. Nonetheless, I am sincerely grateful to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support, which has significantly improved the well-being of our community.

Upon receiving the second payment of $450 from GiveDirectly, I prioritized my children's education which has been so demanding in the past few months. With deep gratitude and determination, I used a portion of the amount to pay the school fees for two out of the five who are currently in various levels of education. My oldest child, who is in college, required $250, while my other child was starting form one and needed $200. It was essential for me to settle any outstanding fees from previous semesters to ensure a smooth academic journey for them both. Witnessing my children enjoying their time in school fills me with immense joy and pride. Previously, my primary sources of income were my teaching job at a nearby primary school and goat farming. However, the unpredictable nature of drought frequently led to losses among my livestock, impacting my financial stability. Managing the school fees obligations and meeting the basic needs of my five children has been a constant challenge. Despite the hardships, I am fortunate to have a supportive husband who takes care of our farming activities. The generous support from GiveDirectly has been a transformative blessing, significantly easing the financial burden and relieving me from the constant stress of finding additional funds. This invaluable support has allowed me to focus on providing a brighter future for my children, ensuring they receive quality education and the opportunities they deserve.

It was around 4:00 pm. I was on my way home from my workplace. Suddenly, an SMS came in. On checking it out, It was a Mpesa SMS indicating that I have received money from GD. I was so happy that I uttered a word of prayer to thank God for it. Happily, I telephoned my neighbours to inform them about it and inquire if they had received theirs. We were overjoyed as a village.

The biggest difference is that I am now relaxed knowing that I have cleared the loan I had. Previously, I did not have peace of mind since the lender kept calling me demanding his money back. I am also happy that I did not sell out my goats as I was almost doing so. Hopefully, they will multiply and I will not be struggling in the next future as I will sell them to cater for my son's school fees

The money came at the time I needed it most. My son had joined form one for his secondary education. I had to borrow a loan in order to pay his school fee since they did not allow any new admissions without clearing the whole amount. The creditor had kept asking for his back and I was on the verge of selling my goats to clear it. Thanks to GD transfers, I used all the amount to clear the debt.