As I'm not married currently, my plan for next year is to tie the knot and start a family. By then, my four-bedroom stone house will be complete, offering a perfect haven for my future family. Alongside running a thriving business. My expertise in automotive engineering fuels my ambition to secure a job in the field. Eventually, I envision owning my own vehicle, completing the picture of a fulfilling and successful life ahead.

GiveDirectly's unconditional cash transfers are the best thing I can say it has done. The cash has profoundly impacted my life. I now boast an almost complete, permanent house, a stark contrast to my previous living conditions. Furthermore, these transfers have sparked a wave of positive changes throughout our community. Before the arrival of this program, my aspirations for a stable home felt like distant dreams. I lived in a makeshift shelter, constantly vulnerable to the elements. But with the support from GiveDirectly, I seized the opportunity to turn those dreams into reality. Yet, the impact wasn't confined to my own household. The entire community experienced a remarkable shift. Families invested in education, ensuring brighter futures for their children. Entrepreneurs flourished, injecting vitality into our local economy with many other transformations. I am hoping that GiveDirectly will continue to give this support to more communities and if possible add us more.

Upon receiving my first and second transfers, with the support of my beekeeping and goat-rearing ventures, I embarked on an ambitious project of building a 4-bedroom stoned house. However, the construction remained incomplete with the receipt of my last transfer of $450, I resumed building, and presently, the house stands at the roofing stage. The motivation behind this construction project is deeply rooted in my current living situation. I dwell in a worn, two-roomed mabati house, a haven marred by the relentless intrusion of ants, a common woe in our area. Beyond the desire for an upgrade, there's a profound longing to establish a home suitable for a family. Despite living alone and being unmarried, the vision of a comfortable sanctuary for future loved ones serves as my driving force. I completed a certificate in automotive engineering. Regrettably, securing a job has proven to be an uphill battle. Nevertheless, as construction nears its end and my businesses thrive, I'm poised to shift my focus toward job hunting, determined to align my career with my qualifications and aspirations. Gratitude fills my heart as I reflect on the great support from Givedirectly. Their unwavering assistance has been a lifeline, propelling my dreams forward and offering a beacon of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

In the coming years, my aim is to actively pursue job opportunities within the county government. I successfully completed my certificate course in automotive engineering in 2022 but have not yet secured a job. My plan is to apply for various job positions while also dedicating time to networking. I believe that these efforts will increase my chances of securing a job and advancing my career prospects.

I loved the equitable approach that GiveDirectly employs in enrolling recipients in their programs. Unlike some organizations, they ensure that every individual in the village has the chance to be a part of their support initiative and receive the transfers. This commitment to fairness and inclusivity demonstrates their dedication to truly making a positive impact on the community as a whole by leaving no one behind. This fosters a sense of unity and empowerment among communities.

I allocated the entire $450 from the transfer to advance the construction of my two-bedroom house. After the previous transfer, I had successfully completed the walls up to the ninth course. With this latest transfer, I directed the funds towards the purchase of steel reinforcing rods, which amounted to $230. Additionally, I covered the costs of labor for installing the lintel and constructing two more courses, bringing me closer to the roof level. The progress on the house is truly motivating. Looking ahead, my focus will be on refining my marketing strategies to boost the sale of honey from my beekeeping venture. By increasing my income and combining it with the upcoming third transfer, I plan to procure the necessary roofing materials. This step will bring me one step closer to fulfilling my goal of completing the house, thus providing an improved living space for my future family.

Receiving my first payment from GiveDirectly filled me with immense gratitude as I checked my phone and saw the confirmation message from the service provider, Segovia Technology, indicating the receipt of $200, the exact amount we had been informed about during enrollment. The news reached me around 3:00 p.m. while I was herding my goats in the bush. With my plans to use the funds to restart my house construction project, I promptly contacted my mason to confirm his availability for the upcoming week to continue the construction work. Since I had a clear objective in mind for the funds, I withdrew only $20 the next day to purchase maize flour. I saved the remaining amount until the following week when the construction work was set to commence.

I am filled with happiness and gratitude, as my life has significantly improved compared to before. The prospect of completing my construction project fills me with joy and hope for the future. Knowing that the project will soon come to an end brings a sense of accomplishment and security. The support from GiveDirectly has been instrumental in making this transformation possible, and I am truly grateful for the positive changes it has brought to my life. With renewed optimism, I look forward to the completion of my construction.

I used a significant portion of the $180 to resume and progress with the construction of my two-bedroom block house, which had been put on hold due to a lack of funds. Before receiving the transfer, I had managed to complete up to the fifth course, but my savings from my honey business were depleted, causing the project to stall. However, with the transfer from GiveDirectly, I was able to push the construction forward and reach the ninth course. Though the construction has paused again, I am grateful for the progress I have made. I eagerly await the second transfer, which will allow me to continue building my house to completion. With the remaining amount from the first transfer, I invested in buying food that sustains me during this period.