In the coming year and beyond, I want to build a more spacious house that can comfortably accommodate my family. Currently, we are living in a cramped, two-roomed house. One room serves as both a small storage area and a shop. Due to the lack of space, I had to move my children to my mother’s house. However, I am determined to provide them with their own comfortable sleeping space. Since I joined a merry-go-round group, I have been planning to use the money I receive to buy building materials and fulfill this dream. I am optimistic that saving my monthly transfers in the group will help me reach my goal more quickly. Once I complete the house, I plan to add more stock to my small shop to generate a better profit, allowing me to provide for my family with ease.

I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for their financial support. It has enabled me to acquire valuable items by investing in our savings groups, which we established specifically for our monthly transfers. With my most recent transfer, I spent $34 to save in our chama because I plan to invest in buying goats. I am working hard to invest in this initiative because these transfers will eventually come to an end, and I don't want to return to a state of financial instability. These goats will serve as my a financial security. Additionally, I used $11 to pay school fees for my children to ensure they wouldn't be sent home due to unpaid balances. With the remaining amount, I allocated $34 to buy food so my children would have something to eat when they come home from school. Finally, I spent $20 to buy a goat and $3 on chicken feed since our chickens were running out of food.

I am currently in need of a spacious living space for my children. Our current house is very small, with only two rooms. One room is used as a storage area and also doubles up as a small shop. As a result, I have had to move my children to their grandmother's house, but I am determined to provide them with their own comfortable sleeping space. This is why, since joining a merry-go-round group, I have been planning to use the money I receive from the group to buy building materials to fulfill this dream. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for enabling me buy six iron sheets, and I am optimistic that in the coming year and beyond, I will be able to make this dream a reality. The financial support I have received from GiveDirectly has significantly improved our living standards, and for that, I am truly grateful.

I bought a goat worth $30 for future financial security. Since they multiply very fast, I will sell some and get income to pay fees for my children in addition to buying other basic needs. I also bought books for $4 for my five children who are going to school because this was a requirement in school. Besides, I spent $28 on buying food. This is because I wanted to have a stock of maize flour that could last for a good number of days as I hustle to look for money to support my family. Finally, with the remaining $40, I allocated it to my merry-go-round contribution. This initiative helps us to acquire expensive assets that one cannot acquire while standing alone, since saving money in our phones is not easy due to our numerous needs. Hence, thanks to Give Directly for the financial support. Food - $2800, chama - $4000 for building a sleeping house for my children.

This year, my aim is to build a new home for my five children. Our current dwelling consists of two rooms, though one serves as a storage area for utensils and miscellaneous items. The limited space within the house proves cramped for accommodating the eight members of our family. Constructing a separate house for my children will provide them with ample room to live comfortably. I am immensely grateful for the financial stability afforded by the assistance transfers, which enabled me to initiate a kiosk business.

In January, I covered my children's school fees for the term. I allocated $10 for my eldest daughter, who is in Form 1, and another $10 for my other two children, in Classes 7 and 6 respectively. Ensuring they remain in school and continue their education brings me great satisfaction. Additionally, I invested in a $68 goat, supplementing the cost with savings, recognizing its potential for future returns through breeding. I also injected $20 into my kiosk business, expanding my inventory to enhance customer satisfaction and retention. With $24, I secured ample food for my family, fostering a sense of abundance and security. Furthermore, I allocated $4 towards purchasing feed for the hens I rear, supporting their health and productivity. The financial assistance I've received has significantly elevated my standard of living, for which I am deeply grateful.

Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my primary objective is to construct a new house that can comfortably accommodate my children. The current two-roomed house is insufficient to provide adequate space for my entire family. Moreover, as my children enter their teenage years, it becomes increasingly crucial to ensure their privacy and create a suitable living environment. I am filled with happiness and optimism, knowing that the financial assistance provided by the organization will play a significant role in helping me realize this goal. With their support, I am confident that I can provide a better living situation for my family, ensuring their comfort and privacy in the years to come.

I recently acquired a goat for $48, noting the significant increase in livestock prices due to high demand. This decision to invest in a goat stems from the desire to secure a long-term investment that extends beyond the duration of the financial support we are currently receiving. With the goats expected to multiply, it presents a wise investment opportunity. Additionally, I allocated $20 to pay for the school fees of my six children who are still attending primary school. This ensured that they could continue their education without any interruptions. As the third term began, I also purchased new school uniforms for my three children, specifically shirts, which amounted to $7. Ensuring their proper school attire is essential. Moreover, I utilized a portion of the funds to expand my small kiosk business. The additional stock includes household items, maize flour, tea leaves, and other food items. The income generated from the business significantly contributes to meeting my family's needs, and I am incredibly grateful for that support. Overall, these investments and expenses demonstrate my commitment to securing a stable future for my family while ensuring their education and well-being are not compromised.

In terms of my long-term goals, I aspire to build a house for my six children and invest in goat rearing. Our current living arrangement of sharing a two-room structure is becoming increasingly challenging as the children grow. Providing them with a separate living space will ensure everyone enjoys their privacy and comfort. I envision a brick house with a tin roof, which will provide a secure and stable dwelling for my children. Additionally, raising goats will not only generate income but also contribute to funding my children's education. Am confident that saving part of my transfer amounts through a merry-go-round club, with help me accomplish these goals.

Each time I receive the cash transfers, my priority is to reduce the tuition debt for my five children who are currently in primary school. I allocated $10 from the recent funds to pay off their debt, and as a result, they no longer face the risk of being sent home due to unpaid fees. This brings a sense of relief as the income from our small kiosk business, which my husband and I run, is insufficient to cover all the fees, putting our children at risk of missing classes. After that, I contributed $10 towards a merry-go-round savings group. When my turn comes to receive a lump sum, I plan to invest it in a house construction project that I have always had in mind. Our current two-room house is becoming cramped for our growing family of six children, and I believe it's important for them to have their own private space as they grow older. I spent the remaining $14 to cover our basic household needs, especially food, ensuring that my family had enough to eat. Am grateful that the cash transfers have ensured that we never miss a meal.

For this year, my primary goals are supporting my children's education and acquiring food for the family. These have been my main areas of struggle. From my small business, hardly do I raise money that I can save towards school fees for my children. In addition, due to the periodical crop failure in our areas, we have been experiencing an intense famine. Were it not for the monthly transfers we receive from GiveDirectly, life would be unbearable. As a result, I have prioritized spending part of my transfers to buy some food supplements for the family. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the monthly cash transfers.

I am a mother of six children, and all are school-going. With the recent transfer, I spent $30 on their school fees. Since I do not have formal employment, I only have a small-scale business that does not raise adequate money to suffice to pay school fees. As a result, we struggle a lot to keep them in school. The other transfers from October to December came in handy in raising domestic fowl and acquiring food for my family. They supplemented our income from the business which rarely generates a profit of $2 a day. I am glad that courtesy of the transfer, I have been able to support my ten-member family.

The financial assistance that I have so far received from their Organization can definitely not be ignored. Prior to having my baby I was really scared that by the time the delivery came I would not be ready financially to cater for the baby's needs but I am glad the funds came in when they did.

I just recently delivered a newborn and lucky for me by the time I was having my baby I had already received the funds. On my way to the delivery I used KES 350 as transportation fee to and fro and ended up paying KES 500 for the medical expenses. Afterward, I decided to use KES 1,150 to purchase new clothes for my newborn baby and everything else that the baby needed. At the moment I still have a balance of KES 1,000 remaining on me which I plan on using it to buy hens since I intend to invest in poultry farming.

I received the text message immediately after I had finished taking supper. It surprised and excited me at the same. My heart melted with joy as I showed the text message to my husband, who still was in doubt. He confirmed it was true, and he hugged me and we celebrated together with our children before going to bed.

The major difference the transfer has made in my life is ensuring I pay school fees for my children. I am a joyful mother now that they have no arrears and continue with their learning with no interruptions.

I have five children who are in primary school. Upon receiving my transfer, I spent it all on paying school fees. Schools were reopening after the short election break, and my husband did not have the full amount to pay for all of them. The kiosk business he is running has been out of business because of the economic standstill witnessed during the election. I am happy that my children went to school and are going ahead with their learning.