"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."

"My first investment was purchasing a cow for $180. As a farmer, I have always seen livestock as a reliable and valuable investment. The cow will not only provide milk but also breed, ensuring I have a safety net during tough financial times. The next priority was paying $100 in school tuition for three of my children, who had been out of school for over a week due to unpaid fees. This transfer gave me the chance to clear part of the bill and allow them to return to their studies. I also spent $65 on mattresses for my children, who had been sleeping on sisal mats. Seeing them finally rest comfortably has brought me great joy. Additionally, I gave $50 to my husband for motorcycle servicing since it is essential for our charcoal transportation business. I also gave him another $40, which he used to purchase eight sacks of charcoal to stock up for our business. To address an outstanding debt, I paid $70 to my savings committee. This loan had been weighing heavily on me for two years, and I was relieved to reduce it. Part of the money they lent me in the past allowed me to renovate my home by replacing the grass-thatched roof with iron sheets. I spent $32 on two bags of maize flour, each containing 12 packets, to ensure my family had enough food. Finally, I used the remaining $13 to take my son for circumcision, as it was the right time for him to undergo this important rite of passage."

"When the money came in, I was at home doing chores. I heard my phone ringing from inside the house, so I asked my son to bring it to me. When I checked, I saw the notification confirming the arrival of the money. I was immediately elated! The money was unexpected, but it symbolized hope and the ability to finally implement the plans I had envisioned. I felt a deep sense of relief and excitement, knowing that this transfer would bring some much-needed improvements to our lives."

"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."

"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."

"When I got enrolled in this program, my primary goal was to create something sustainable that could provide long-term stability for my family. With my first transfers, I started a store, recognizing the lack of nearby shops in my village and the potential it presented. This store became a source of income for my family, where I sold items like cereals, stationery, and detergents. When I received the second transfers, I decided to reinvest $450 into the business, purchasing more stock, including beans, flour, cooking oil, detergent, sugar, and pens. This additional inventory helped expand the store’s offerings and attract more customers. With the remaining $82, I paid tuition fees for my two children to ensure they would be ready for the next school year. Education is a priority for me, and I wanted to ensure that my children wouldn’t fall behind in their studies. Starting this store and investing in their education have been significant steps in creating a better future for us."

"I used part of my transfer to address my son’s college debt, paying $100 toward what he owed. He is currently enrolled in a wiring course, and I believe education will help him secure a brighter future. Next, I spent $60 on my health for a routine checkup and medication for partial paralysis on the left side of my body, a condition I was diagnosed with during the pandemic. I also gave my son $100 to start a small business selling thrifted clothes since he had been struggling to find stable work. Seeing his determination to make a living, I wanted to support him in creating something sustainable. Additionally, I spent $40 to buy a goat as an investment for the future. It can be a resource to address financial needs if they arise. I allocated $100 to purchase maize flour, sugar, beans, rice, cereals, and cooking oil to improve my family’s nutrition. Another $90 was spent hiring a tractor to plow my land in preparation for the rainy season, ensuring a good harvest for food security and potential income. Lastly, I saved $60 for emergencies, particularly for medication or other urgent needs that may come up."

"Earlier this year, my husband and I had started building a house for my mother-in-law after her home collapsed last year. We wanted to give her a better, more secure house since she is elderly and unable to build one herself. Unfortunately, we had to pause construction in August due to a lack of funds, leaving her to stay at a neighbor’s home. When I received this transfer, I knew immediately that I would use it to complete the house. I spent $363 on construction materials, including 20 iron sheets, wood, nails, and labor costs. In addition, I spent $130 to install a water tap in our home. This involved purchasing pipes, fittings, and covering the labor costs. Water scarcity is a significant challenge in our village, and fetching water was not only exhausting but also expensive. Having a tap at home has eased this burden tremendously. Lastly, I used the remaining $57 to address our nutritional needs. Feeding my family of seven children has always been a challenge, so I bought maize flour, 25 kilograms of rice, sugar, cereals, and groceries to ensure we had enough food at home."

"Earlier this year, my husband and I had started building a house for my mother-in-law after her home collapsed last year. We wanted to give her a better, more secure house since she is elderly and unable to build one herself. Unfortunately, we had to pause construction in August due to a lack of funds, leaving her to stay at a neighbor’s home. When I received this transfer, I knew immediately that I would use it to complete the house. I spent $363 on construction materials, including 20 iron sheets, wood, nails, and labor costs. In addition, I spent $130 to install a water tap in our home. This involved purchasing pipes, fittings, and covering the labor costs. Water scarcity is a significant challenge in our village, and fetching water was not only exhausting but also expensive. Having a tap at home has eased this burden tremendously. Lastly, I used the remaining $57 to address our nutritional needs. Feeding my family of seven children has always been a challenge, so I bought maize flour, 25 kilograms of rice, sugar, cereals, and groceries to ensure we had enough food at home."