I run a small grocery business that provides me with a modest income to support my family. However, a lack of school fees has delayed my dream of joining college, so I am saving the little income I earn to make this possible. The profits from my business help meet our needs, support my husband, and contribute to my savings for enrolling in an Early Childhood Education course, which I have always wanted to pursue. Additionally, I save through our merry-go-round group, where I contribute $20 monthly to accumulate funds for my school fees. My ultimate goal is to secure a stable teaching job to provide for my growing family. I am grateful for the financial support I have received, which has made it easier to work toward my dreams. If everything goes as planned, I am optimistic about joining college next year.

I completed my secondary education but could not proceed to college due to a lack of income. Currently, I run a grocery business, using the little I earn to support my family and save a portion for future plans. I am married but do not yet have children, and my spouse is also unemployed. However, I am confident that if he finds a job, he will support my dream of going to college. I remain optimistic about achieving this goal. With my most recent transfer, I spent $24 to boost my grocery business, aiming to increase its profits so I can better support my family and grow my savings. I also allocated $60 to pay my monthly merry-go-round contribution, as I am saving to raise money for college. Lastly, I used the remaining $14 to buy food for my family.

After running a small vegetable business in the village, I had to close it to seek medical treatment in town. However, I am planning to revive the business in the coming year and beyond. The profits from this venture will allow me to contribute to our needs, support my husband, and save for enrollment in an Early Childhood Development course. Since completing high school, my dream has been to become a teacher. I aspire to secure a stable teaching job to provide for our growing family. As part of my savings plan, I contribute $20 every month to our chama group to work towards achieving my dream, and I am grateful for this financial support.

I've decided to put $60 from my funds towards my grocery business investment due to limited income. This business will generate daily income and support my family. I bought $26 worth of food as it's a basic necessity and I had none at home. I also spent $4 on clothes for myself and the remaining $9 on medication, as I wasn't feeling well. These funds have been instrumental in helping my family achieve many things.

I used to run a small vegetable selling business in the village last year, but I had to close it when I became expectant and needed to move to town for better healthcare. Unfortunately, shortly after their birth, my twins did not make it. The loss has made it hard for me to return to the village promptly, but I plan to go back to revive the vegetable business in the coming months. The profits from this venture will not only enable me to contribute actively to our needs and support my husband but also save up for enrollment in an Early Childhood Development course. Ever since I completed high school in 2022, I've harbored a dream of becoming a teacher. I aspire to have a stable teaching job to provide for our growing family in the future.

Towards the end of last year, I moved from the village to live with my husband in town, as I was expecting and my due date was approaching. This would ensure easy access to health facilities during delivery. Earlier this year, I gave birth to twins, but unfortunately, one of them passed away immediately. Despite efforts to save the other baby, complications arose, and we had to undergo medical procedures at the hospital, costing us $34. Sadly, both babies didn't make it. Since then, I haven't been able to return to the village. My husband and I now reside in a rental space in town. However, as he is a student with no stable income, I recently used $35 to cover our monthly rent. Additionally, I saved $10, with the hope of restarting a vegetable selling business once I return to the village. The remaining funds were used for food. The cash transfers have been a relief during this difficult time, helping to ease some of the burdens, especially after suffering such a loss, while still supporting my husband.

My primary goal is to enroll myself in the Early Childhood Development Course A certificate program. I recognize the significance of gaining relevant experience and enhancing my skills, not only to become a better individual in society but also to contribute meaningfully to the community. This educational pursuit aligns with my aspirations to support my spouse and lays the foundation for our future family. I believe that by investing in my education, I can not only secure a more promising position in the professional realm but also create a nurturing environment for the family we aspire to build. It's a step toward personal growth and a commitment to fostering a supportive and knowledgeable foundation for the journey ahead.

Using a portion of my recent unconditional cash transfer, I breathed a sigh of relief as I settled my overdue house rent in town for $25. The looming deadline had been a source of stress, and with each passing day, my confusion about where to find the necessary funds intensified. The unconditional cash transfer came at just the right moment, providing the financial cushion I desperately needed. Clearing the rent lifted a significant weight off my shoulders, allowing me to focus on other pressing matters. With the remaining amount, I decided to address another pressing concern: food security. Being jobless at the moment and my husband still in school, though doing odd jobs when they came his way, meant our financial situation was tight. Buying food became a challenge, and I found solace in being able to use part of the cash transfer to ensure that my spouse and I had enough to eat. It's a humble start for our family, and I can't express enough gratitude to the organizations that made this possible. Their support has truly made a significant difference in our lives during this challenging period.

My goal this year is to grow this business. I started as a grocery stall owner but even when I realised it wasn't the best time to sell groceries I was able to use my transfers and the profits from the grocery business to transition. Selling General, day to day use items is a lucrative business so you will definitely not run out of business and items to sell. I want to add more things to the business from my transfers.

I was newly married at the time I was receiving my transfer in May and I really wanted to contribute some sort of income to the family as my husband is still in college. I took out $17 from my transfers and spent on starting a grocery stall which did really well, In May I spent $10 to add to that business which had a good turnover. However since the rains had began and the locals were getting a fresh supply of groceries in June I used $34 to transition into a general stall business where I sell day to day items such as sugar, tealeaves, rice, flour etc. I also got myself a couple new clothes in April at $7 and some food for $10. In June it was planting time and I used $14 to prepare the land for planting and I used $10 to get food,

In the next year, I hope to enroll in a diploma course in water management. I have been aiming to acquire skills that help me earn a living since life is challenging for those who do not have formal employment. The skills will enable me to secure a job hence supporting my family will be lighter for my father unlike in the previous years. Therefore, as I continue to receive my transfers, I shall use part of my transfer to help me build my savings for school fees. As a result, my education will no longer be burdensome to my father.

Owing to the current famine situation in our area, GiveDirectly does well in giving financial support to the neediest people. Consequently, those who receive the transfer can prioritize their needs such as meeting nutritional and educational needs. Transfers have brought a positive change in our lives. It also does well in informing the recipients about the transfer and how to enhance cash safety. Lastly, it does well in doing follow-ups to know how the transfers are helpful to recipients. I have not yet observed an area in that GiveDirectly should improve in.

I am the last born in a family of seven children. For the past 10 years, I have been living with my demise of mother. Immediately I received my recent transfer, I spent a port of my transfer, $14 on food since we have an acute shortage of food. Since my father is jobless, my siblings and I always step in in supporting to buy food. while the remaining $20 I saved with a plan to start up a vegetable selling business. I have thought of starting up a business because I believe that it will help me raise money on daily basis that will go a long way in supporting our family.

Last year December 22, I graduated from high school. My six brothers worked extremely hard to make sure I succeeded and finished school. I made the decision to go see my aunt in Kwale after school. While I was there, I received a message from GiveDirectly that really made me happy. I could not believe my eyes and decided to call my cousin to confirm if the Mpesa message I had received was correct. He confirmed and I was overjoyed to be selected as one of GiveDirectly's monthly transfer recipient. My initial aim was to have my own kiosk where I could save money to be able to go to college, because of the current financial difficulties my parents are facing that is currently limiting me from being in school.

My big brother has been my mentor and my provider. He also has a family of his own whom he really takes care of. Sometimes he may not have enough to give me so I am left to go hungry for days.The moment I started receiving my transfers at least I do not lack food like I used too and I believe I would not sleep hungry in the coming days. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for everything, I am forever grateful for all you have done for me.

I currently want to save enough to be able to join college and go study water supply. My community people are really going through a lot because of the prolonged drought and lack of enough water. The moment I received my transfers, I spent $10 on saving for my upcoming project of starting my own kiosk and the remaining amount of $4 I was able to go buy soap, oil and sugar so that it can sustain myself for that period of time.