My wish would be to start my own mini-mart. focusing primarily on dry food items. The ultimate goal of this would be to significantly improve our lives. I am optimistic that these goals will come to pass.

Many people who had lived in our village before GiveDirectly arrived would be surprised if they took a walk around it. Houses have sprouted up, livestock can be heard on many more homesteads than previously, businesses are thriving and revitalized, and it all leads back to GiveDirectly. Their influence in our community demonstrates what they do best: empower and uplift.

Having successfully received the funds from GiveDirectly, I set my mind to finally building a house for myself. It has two bedrooms and a verandah. While this might sound like a small feat to many, it's hard to explain just how big a milestone this is. Numerous recipients in the area have similarly found themselves in a position to have a roof over their heads. Financed, still, from the transfers from GiveDirectly, I then proceeded to buy 2 female goats. These will eventually mate with others, and hopefully, a source of income will emerge as a result. Stocking up on food and repaying my $400 loan were amongst the final purchases I made thanks to GiveDirectly. Working as a scone and bread packager for the last one and a half years at Neema Mill Bakers, it would have been a near-impossible feat for me to service the said loan comfortably. I earn $ 100 per month which is all we have to spread between my stay at home wife, myself and our three month old baby. Little is left for savings. Fortunately, our 7-acre farm produces enough cereals and coconuts for our domestic use. It is evident the immense impact that GiveDirectly has had on our life as a family. Our lives have been transformed for the better.

While resting at home after at around 6 pm after a hard day of sourcing a living by distributing some loaves of bread to different kiosks, a message popped into my phone which was with my wife in the house. She checked and saw the first transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. She came out and informed me of the same. My heart was filled with joy and happiness knowing that I would be able to settle some debts that were not giving me peace of mind.

From the time I received the transfer up to now, my brain took a break that makes the brain rest. Initially, the debts were not giving me peace of mind. paying the debts was a priority because if you pay in time you built trust with the lenders.

When I withdrew the money, I first paid a debt of KES 27000.00 to a small micro-finance. I had borrowed this money to build a house because the one I had initially was collapsing. I also took KES 15000.00 and paid a remaining balance of a dowry for my wife. By doing so, I gained confidence and I can visit my in-laws freely not like before when I was feeling guilty and shame. Apart from the two key things I spent the money on, I bought a goat for KES 4500.00 and an iron sheet for KES 1000.00 to renovate my house which was lacking one piece of an iron sheet. Thereafter, I used the remaining amount in buying food for the family.