My life has improved a lot since I received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I built a latrine and no longer hide in the bush to relieve myself. We feel civilized and modern for this. It was so primitive and shameful to beg for other people's latrines who could at times turn us away. The bushes are also unsafe as they are the homes of dangerous snakes and at times some passersby could peap and see me squatting which was so self- defeating. I constructed a kitchen which nowadays serve as a separate cooking room unlike before when the main house served as kitchen, sitting room and a bedroom. I remember one day when I had visitors and there was a lot of smoke as I used a traditional stove. I could see that they were not comfortable but unfortunately I had no altertive. I paid school fees for my children who are doing well. Education gives me hope for the future and better living standards. I spent the remaining part of the transfer to buy a cow that is soon calving. I hope it shall provide me with milk that would definitely improve the food security and nutrition for my household. The money that I have been spending to buy milk will then be saved and diverted to restock my small scale business. GiveDirectly has painted pictures of hope, greatness and brighter future in my mind that I would always live to embrace. Thanks a lot the donors.

GiveDirectly has liberated people from stressful life full of worries and fear for the unknown. The unconditional cash transfer has made the voiceless to be heard for the first time. Those who were thought to be cast generation can nowadays be called blessed. Children are going to school with full arrears settled, there is good stock of food in almost every household that were known as professional beggars, decent chairs can be seen in most houses, solar lighting system is the order of the day and our community has been nicknamed as a small town with lights all over. Theft cases have reduced and we are very peaceful. However, GiveDirectly would have added more transfers to widows, orphaned children, the elderly and sick.

It had been my ambition to construct a latrine that would improve my family's health and sanitation. We used to hide in the bush to relieve ourselves whenever we were pressed which was not very healthy. I remember one day when I went to a nearby sugarcane plantation to relieve myself and no sooner had I aquarted to relieve myself than a big dangerous snake abruptly appeared. It was an ugly scene with much shame even though I was not bitten because when I screamed, some passersby rushed just to find me in a great mess. I promised myself to have a decent latrine with proper locking system. Thanks to GiveDirectly for bringing back my lost dignity.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I have a lot of peace because I do not have the school fees burden and my children are no longer sent home for the fee balance. My children are also happy they do not sleep at a neighbour's home that's make me happy as a mother.

The moment I received my transfer I was very excited.

I spent my transfer on buying building materials like nails, irons sheets, metal door and a window that I used to build my kitchen because my sons have nowhere to sleep, they used to sleep in my neighbour's house though it was not that secure to me as a parent, I am now at peace they sleep in our home. I also paid school fees for my two children in Secondary School because I did not want them to be sent home for fee balance like before.