"The moment was both amusing and heartwarming. I didn’t realize the transfer had arrived until the next day while doing household chores. I was washing dishes, and my husband was still in bed when I overheard neighbors talking about the money. I immediately ran to check my phone and woke my husband to confirm the news. When we saw that the money had indeed been sent, we were overwhelmed with joy. We hadn’t expected it, and it felt like a lifeline at just the right time. It meant we could finally address our pressing needs and make plans for the future."

"The first thing I did when I received the money was to purchase a bed and mattress for my children. For the longest time, they had been sleeping on a sisal mat on the ground, which I eventually replaced with a sisal-woven bed. However, both options were quite uncomfortable for them, leaving them restless and weak. I decided it was time to provide them with proper sleeping arrangements, so I bought a bed and mattress for $140. I also wanted to address the overcrowding in our home, as we are a family of nine, my husband, our seven children, and myself. Our house was too small to accommodate us comfortably, so I invested $190 in building materials, including timber, nails, 14 pieces of iron sheets, and labor costs. My plan was to build an additional house, which would allow us to split the family into two homes, making everyone more comfortable. Next, I allocated $180 toward nutrition for my family. With a large household, food security was always a challenge, and I wanted to ensure we had enough to eat. This money allowed me to buy several bags of maize flour, sugar, beans, and groceries regularly. I also spent $20 to construct a toilet for my family. Our previous toilet had collapsed two years ago due to heavy rains, and since then, we had been using the bush, which was unsanitary and embarrassing. This transfer gave me the chance to finally hire someone to build a proper toilet. Additionally, I purchased two chairs for $10 because I felt embarrassed whenever we had guests, as we had nowhere to seat them. Finally, I used the remaining $5 to buy a new uniform for one of my children, whose previous uniform was torn and worn out. I wanted him to start the school year with a fresh start."

"I was incredibly excited to receive the money because I had envisioned many plans, and its arrival meant I could finally actualize them. My first purchase was two beds and two mattresses, costing $290. One set was for me because my bed had broken, and I had tied it with strings to prevent it from collapsing. My mattress was completely worn out, and lying on it felt like sleeping directly on wood. However, due to financial constraints, I had to endure it. The other set was for my daughter, who had been sleeping on a sisal-woven bed, which I know from experience is uncomfortable. Ensuring she had a proper bed and mattress was a priority for me. Next, I paid $150 in school fees for my son, who had been repeatedly sent home due to nonpayment. Each time, I had to plead with his teachers to let him back until I could find the money. Clearing this debt has given him stability in his education. I also bought new clothes for my five children, spending $38, as it had been a long time since I could afford to replace their old, worn-out clothing. Finally, I used the remaining $72 to address our nutritional needs. I bought a sack of maize, packets of wheat flour, sugar, cereals, cooking oil, and groceries to ensure we had enough food."

"The first thing I did when I received the money was to purchase a bed and mattress for my children. For the longest time, they had been sleeping on a sisal mat on the ground, which I eventually replaced with a sisal-woven bed. However, both options were quite uncomfortable for them, leaving them restless and weak. I decided it was time to provide them with proper sleeping arrangements, so I bought a bed and mattress for $140. I also wanted to address the overcrowding in our home, as we are a family of nine, my husband, our seven children, and myself. Our house was too small to accommodate us comfortably, so I invested $190 in building materials, including timber, nails, 14 pieces of iron sheets, and labor costs. My plan was to build an additional house, which would allow us to split the family into two homes, making everyone more comfortable. Next, I allocated $180 toward nutrition for my family. With a large household, food security was always a challenge, and I wanted to ensure we had enough to eat. This money allowed me to buy several bags of maize flour, sugar, beans, and groceries regularly. I also spent $20 to construct a toilet for my family. Our previous toilet had collapsed two years ago due to heavy rains, and since then, we had been using the bush, which was unsanitary and embarrassing. This transfer gave me the chance to finally hire someone to build a proper toilet. Additionally, I purchased two chairs for $10 because I felt embarrassed whenever we had guests, as we had nowhere to seat them. Finally, I used the remaining $5 to buy a new uniform for one of my children, whose previous uniform was torn and worn out. I wanted him to start the school year with a fresh start."

"I clearly remember how the day unfolded. I was at home doing chores, anxiously waiting for the funds to arrive because the organization had informed us of the approximate date. I spent the entire day checking my phone repeatedly, hoping to see the confirmation message. The money finally arrived at around 4:00 p.m., and I was elated. My excitement was heightened because most of my neighbors had already received their transfers earlier, and I had been eagerly anticipating mine. It felt like a huge relief and a moment of joy when it finally came through."

"In the coming year, I hope to expand my poultry farming venture, which I started a few months ago. My plan is to grow this business by purchasing more poultry, as I see it as a viable and complementary source of income alongside my store. Diversifying my income streams will ensure financial stability for my family, even if the store faces challenges or a slowdown. I aim to fully invest in both the store and the poultry business, creating a solid foundation for my family’s financial independence and growth. Accomplishing this would mean greater financial security and peace of mind for my family. It would ensure that my children’s education remains uninterrupted and that I can provide for them without relying solely on external work. Building these businesses would give me confidence in our future and a sense of pride in the progress we’ve made."

"In the coming year, I hope to invest more in farming to ensure both subsistence and income. With a strong harvest, I aim to sell some of the produce to support my family’s daily needs while also ensuring that my son can stay in school without interruptions. Beyond that, I want to grow the small business I helped my son start, as it has the potential to provide him with a stable income. My ultimate goal is to see my son complete his education and become self-sufficient. Accomplishing this would mean securing a stable future for my son and ensuring he has opportunities I never had. It would bring immense pride and relief to know that he is on a path to independence, and it would reaffirm my efforts to provide for my family despite the challenges we face."

"The money came in while I was attending a burial late in the afternoon. Despite the somber mood of the event, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw the notification on my phone confirming the transfer. I had to read the message several times to believe it was real. It felt like a blessing at just the right time. After the burial, I hurried home and excitedly shared the news with my husband, who was working in a different town. He was equally thrilled and encouraged me to start implementing the plans we had long discussed."

"The money came in while I was attending a burial late in the afternoon. Despite the somber mood of the event, I couldn’t contain my excitement when I saw the notification on my phone confirming the transfer. I had to read the message several times to believe it was real. It felt like a blessing at just the right time. After the burial, I hurried home and excitedly shared the news with my husband, who was working in a different town. He was equally thrilled and encouraged me to start implementing the plans we had long discussed."

"After receiving the transfers, my primary focus was to start my own business. For a long time, I had dreamed of owning a motorcycle to transport people and goods, as this is a popular and profitable venture in my village. Previously, I relied on borrowing motorcycles from friends whenever they were free, but this was unsustainable. The earnings I made were minimal since I always had to return the motorcycle to its owner and could only work for limited hours. With the transfer, I spent $500 to purchase my own motorcycle, which has already transformed my daily income. With the remaining $50, I prioritized my family’s nutritional needs, buying a sack of maize and five kilograms of beans to ensure we had enough food at home and could avoid borrowing."