In the coming year, my goal is to purchase a 5000-liter water tank for home use. This acquisition would alleviate the challenges of traveling to a distant river daily, which can be both physically demanding and time-consuming, all for the sake of obtaining a minimal amount of water. By having a water storage tank at home, I aim to streamline the water-fetching process and improve the convenience and accessibility of this essential resource.

Being a single mother of three, I have never experienced any form of financial assistance, which makes the unconditional transfers from Give Directly all the more humbling. This support has not only empowered me to strive for personal growth but has also encouraged me to take financial risks more frequently. I am grateful for the opportunity to improve my circumstances and embrace new opportunities without the burden of financial constraints.

Upon receiving my final transfers, I experienced a profound sense of happiness. This was primarily because I had the opportunity to complete the projects initiated with the first and second transfers and settle outstanding debts. Utilizing $450 wisely, I allocated $100 to procure two months' worth of food for our family of three. Furthermore, I utilized $150 to clear the school fee arrears that had accumulated over the past year. Lastly, I invested $200 to finalize the construction of our two-bedroom house. Now, my family and I are fortunate to enjoy the privacy and comfort provided by our newly completed home.

In the coming year, I wish to complete the furnishing of the new house that I built with the money I received from GiveDirectly and to expand my business. With the completion of the house, I plan to purchase necessary furniture and appliances to make it a comfortable home for my family. Additionally, I plan to expand my business to increase my income, which will help with raising school fees for my children in the future. I am determined to provide a better future for my family, and I am excited to work hard to achieve it.

Our village has had such a positive experience with GiveDirectly that we gladly share our story with anyone who asks. The flexibility to use the transfer in any way that we deemed necessary was a wise decision that we believe should be implemented in all other support programs in other villages. It allowed us to make decisions that addressed the specific challenges we faced in our homes. I am grateful that I was able to build a new home for my son and provide enough food for my children thanks to GiveDirectly's support.

Upon receiving the funds from GiveDirectly, my goal was to construct a new house for my form two son. My desire was to provide him with a space of his own where he could study and have privacy after school, as we had always shared a room. The construction cost me $370, which covered the purchase of materials such as iron sheets, metallic poles, and a wooden door. Witnessing my son's happiness when he saw his new room made the effort worthwhile. I also spent $25 on purchasing dry maize grains and beans, which have served as a source of food for my family of three. Furthermore, I used $28 of the transfer to acquire an additional goat, adding to my herd of 11. I plan to breed and multiply them, which will help generate income to pay for my two children's future school fees. Finally, I spent the remaining funds on bedding to ensure that my son had comfortable sleeping arrangements.

When I got home around 4:00 p.m. from the day's errands, I received a message that I later confirmed was an alert of the first transfer from GiveDirectly. When I checked my account balance, I was absolutely delighted because my plans for my two children were finally coming to fruition. I thanked God and called the hotline, despite the fact that I could not speak directly to the agent, I still passed my gratitude though the interactive voice response. I could not withdraw the money that day, so I went to the nearby shopping center where I was running a grocery store the next day to get it.

The biggest difference in my daily life is my family's higher standard of living. Clearing school fees and allowing my son to attend all classes is the best feeling in the world, and it has motivated me to work hard through the grocery business I had been running in the hopes of making enough money to pay for the following school terms. I am relieved that I can bring in a larger stock because it eliminates the need for frequent visits to the farm, lowering transportation costs. When I receive the second transfer, I intend to do a lot.

I am a single mother of two sons, the older of whom is in grade ten and the younger in fourth. Paying their school fees has been challenging, and in recent months, the grocery business I had been running could not support both the school fee payment and my family's basic needs. I was relieved when I received the first transfer, which included $100 to pay off a school debt I had for my older son. He attends all of his classes without being sent home during the week. I also purchased $60 worth of groceries for my family of three and spent the remaining $20 on stock for my business, which was gradually and steadily declining. I can currently stock an extra crate of tomatoes and more bulb onions to sell at my local grocery store. I am grateful and hope to expand my business further, anticipating an increase in profit margin.