Our lives are much better after receiving the second transfer. Precisely, I am much relieved of the tedious casual tasks such as weeding that I usually handle within my vicinity in attempt to fend for my family. Currently, I am doing some of the relatively simple and less tiresome farming tasks in my farm unlike before. Also, we are hopeful of a better future where food and other basic needs shall be available for us, thanks to my agricultural activities. Still, I am happy and certain that my firstborn child shall proceed well with her education since her fees are ready. I was wondering where to raise such fees.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by sending the funds directly to the target persons using suitable mobile platforms. This ensures each recipient receives the whole amount in time unlike if some intermediaries could engage in pilferages. I find nothing that the organization does not do well.

I spent 150 USD of my second transfer on agricultural activities by leasing land and growing some food crops. I have always yearned to do crop farming due to the usual shortage of food we have been facing. Unfortunately, the 0.3 acres of land that I own is inadequately accommodation our houses, livestock and other farming projects. Also, I saved 300 USD to be used as fees for my first born who is joining secondary school soon. I decided so because I had made no savings before for such a purpose due to the much struggles I do to fend for my family since I am a vulnerable widow. I usually get about 3 USD daily from my casual tasks such as weeding for neighbors. Such an amount could barely meet our basic needs. Finally, I purchased some food items using the remaining amount (about 80 USD) because we had depleted our stock.

I heard my phone ring at around seven fifteen in the morning. On checking, it was an SMS notifying me of GD money I had eagerly waited for. I was very happy and grateful because I felt my prayers had been answered.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that my house is fully furnished with sofasets, a TV and a solar lighting system which I couldn't afford before. Nowadays, I can comfortably accommodate up to 25 people in one sitting without borrowing seats from neighbors like before.My house is very neat and done is required to remove shoes in order to enter my house and I am grateful to GiveDirectly for all these. Initially, I would stress up because of the many things I couldn't afford but now I am glad that my family is well taken care of.

I spent 80USD of my transfer on plastic chairs and sofa sets because initially I had benches which were uncomfortable.I also spent 180USD on 2000 litres water tank for water storage because rain is unreliable in our place. Some I spent on building a two roomed modern kitchen because the one I had was grass thatched with leaking roofs and the walls were falling apart especially during rainy seasons.Some was spent on purchase of one and a half sacks of maize in order to sustain us longer.This wasn't affordable before because we relief on casual labor like weeding and clothes washing. I also bought the latest clothing fashion and shoes because initially we used to buy second hand clothes which are a quite cheaper. I also bought maize seeds, bought a TV and a solar panel system on a hire purchase in order to keep my girls busy and prevent them from straying to my neighbor's houses.