A new job! Yes, I have for a long time been idle at home due to lack of money to start a job despite having skills in dress-making. This has brought about hardship in my household since my husband is just a casual laborer. I intend to use $300 of the transfers to start a dressmaking business in our nearby town. This will include buying a new sewing machine as well as the materials. Also, I plan to use another $300 to install water in my home since I currently buy water which sometimes becomes difficult due to financial challenges. On the other, I also plan to invest in livestock specifically 2 cows to act as my long-term project for the future. I estimate to spend $200 on this project. The remaining amount will help me to repair the roof of my house which is not in good condition. Hence, this is generally what receiving this money means to me.

When I was in my young age, I experienced many challenges including mysterious diseases that made my parents promise me a big party that was to be held before my marriage. Unfortunately, my mother forgot her oath, and I entered into a marriage before this happened. All along, I have had some challenges in my marriage and the only solution was to have this party done. Fortunately, in November last year, my mother fulfilled her promise, and we held a big party to have this settled. I am so happy because I have a peaceful mind and I have no feeling of fear about any life challenges since I have my parents' blessings.

The feeling of being jobless despite having dressmaking skills has never given me peace of mind ever since I got married, 7 years ago. Since our area's main economic activity is farming, this is what I have actively been engaged in. However, this is also not reliable because sometimes, our area experiences prolonged drought, which hinders us from doing farming. Under this situation, my household is food insecure and I always feel pain as a mother. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge.