In the coming years, my aspiration is to witness significant growth and success in my hotel and retail shop businesses. My primary motivation behind this endeavor is to secure a stable financial future for my family, particularly to provide my children with access to higher levels of education through the profits generated. This dream serves as a powerful motivator, propelling me to work tirelessly towards the realization of these goals, knowing that they hold the key to a brighter and more fulfilling future for my loved ones.

Thanks to GiveDirectly, my life has undergone a profound transformation. Their unconditional money transfer has enabled me to acquire valuable assets that have changed the course of my life. I've invested wisely, boosting my two small businesses that not only sustain my family but also contribute to the local economy. With this newfound financial stability, I've been able to send my children to school regularly, securing a brighter future for them.

I spent $230 of my recent unconditional cash transfer to breathe new life into my struggling hotel business and retail shop. The businesses were on the brink of collapse. Before, I was barely making $30 in two weeks, which made it incredibly challenging to provide for my family, especially when it came to putting food on the table and paying for my children's education. With the infusion of funds, I've managed to turn things around. Now, I earn around $100 in two weeks, a significant improvement that has brought stability to our lives. I also bought new clothes for my kids and invested in new mattresses for them, costing $120 in total. Their previous mattresses had worn out, and they were sleeping on mats, which was uncomfortable and unhealthy. Now, they sleep comfortably, and I have peace of mind knowing they're well-rested. Additionally, I used the remaining amount to complete the construction of my house, a project I had initiated with the first transfer. It's a relief to finally have a home that accommodates all five members of my family. Previously, we had to seek shelter from neighbors, especially during the harsh winter seasons, as we couldn't afford to build a new house on our own, given the limited income from both my husband and me, who run our businesses. These changes have brought stability and comfort to our lives, and I'm filled with gratitude for the support that has allowed us to overcome these challenges.

I was busy running my business when a customer came in who happened to be my immediate neighbor where I live. His face was glowing and all smiley; one would not have missed out on noticing, "Give directly money has come in; have you received yours?" He shouted at me, and immediately I went into my pocket to get my phone and confirm if it was true. I got so overwhelmed emotionally that I could not control the tears rolling down my cheeks. The business I had was on the verge of collapsing because I had no money to sustain it anymore. Responsibilities were greater than the revenue generated, and seeing the MPESA balanced meant so much for the situation at hand.

We feel like our burden is made lighter in that we do not struggle much to provide food for our family and also for the other family that belongs to our late brother. On the other hand, revenue has gone higher, making us feel confident in the business and carrying out every fear. We hope to expand the business so we can maximize the revenue and sustain the living standards that we have at the moment forever.

Immediately I added enough stock to the business worth $40, this business is the one holding us together as a family and extended to the family of my husband's late brother's family which we take care of as if they are our own. I saw it like prayer answered because having one source of income to feed more than one family was scaring us. We did not know what to say when we had no food to provide especially to the children of our late brother,  and so we ended up consuming stock which became so hard to replace. In addition I bought iron sheets for roofing at $15 to improve our home giving it an advanced, modernized look, initially we had just a house that had an old look with grass on the top. We are satisfied to have improved it, even if it is slightly but very comfortable.