I had started my studies as a primary school teacher, but after two terms in school, my education was cut short because of finances. My parents were struggling so much; my mother had developed stomach cancer, which shifted all financial focus to the point of draining all the household finances to the extent that our father sold everything just to sacrifice for her medication. This is when I dropped out of school and looked for a job at a nearby school to teach so that I could help my father in this tough situation. In the coming years, I look forward to going back to school so I can take my preferred course. I tried going back there to find out if I could continue from where I paused, but unfortunately I was told that I had taken too long and I would be forced to restart from scratch. It is when I am saving from this small job that I have to ensure that I manage to be a certified teacher, however long it might take.

The fact that GiveDirectly chose to send us money and allow us to do as we prioritize is the best thing that it has done for the people of this community. I have never come across such an organization before with well-structured criteria on how to select those who are eligible for the program and exclude those not eligible without causing any friction among the people of the community. Many of us benefited from the program and are very grateful; we have done so much in our lives that would have taken so much time to achieve. Even when we are having stories in the village, everyone feels satisfied and content, even those who did not qualify. They never feel shortchanged, like in most cases whenever there is something to be shared in the community.

I had started building a house using the first transfer, but unfortunately I did not manage to complete it, so when the second transfer was received, I proceeded to complete the house. I used $200 for all the expenses, which included the installation of ceiling boards and wall painting. For a moment, I flashed back the memories of living in that old grass thatched single-roomed house, and I felt so privileged; my time to marry was to now be in a beautiful two-bedroom house, which was an impossible thing, but this was soon made possible by GiveDirectly transfers. Secondly, I purchased two cows, a male and a female, for $200 and $100, respectively. This will help me as I plan on having a family in that when they arrive, they will have something to do and earn some money from it,like selling milk. Also, the male one will come in handy in the future, when I will sell it at a good price and make good money. Finally, I had to pay a debt from my high school, which was $50, to get my certificate so I could proceed with my further education. I have been using my results slip to look for jobs, and now most jobs are asking for the certificate, which I had to go for.

When I received the money from GiveDirectly, I was overcome with happiness and joy. The day was scorching hot. I was at home, going about my thing, at three o'clock. January 23rd was the day in question. I was surprised to see the transfer from GiveDirectly when my phone buzzed. I was overjoyed. The very following day, on the 24th, I went to Bomet, withdrew my money, and started organizing whatever I could from my list of due expenses.

The situation I was in before GiveDirectly entered my life was intolerable. I had been residing in a one-bedroom grass home for the longest time. It was difficult to make enough money to provide for our food. I now have a two-bedroom, half-mud, half-iron sheet home thanks to GiveDirectly. I was also able to buy a cow, whose milk will both earn me money and be useful for our household needs. GiveDirectly has significantly improved every element of our life in the long run.

As soon as the money was still available, I went out to achieve my long-term objectives. Thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I was able to construct and finish a two-bedroom home. I spent $160 on a total of 22 iron sheets while still on my construction binge, and I used them for my own projects. This was a little less than the $200 I spent to purchase a heifer (a female cow). It is intended to be kept for milk, with the possibility of eventually breeding the progeny to create my own little herd. I made sure to tithe a portion of the money in accordance with my Christian principles to express my thanks to God for bringing GiveDirectly into our lives.