I had plans on building a better home for my family and I especially the house I lived in was old and was always in need of renovation from the room to the foundation itself. It was always costly for me and yet I still could not make sure that it was in great condition that is why I had intentions of building a better one. Apart from that, I had also wanted to start my own business preferably a grocery store business so that I would cater for the day to day needs of my family.

Before meeting GiveDirectly I was literally helpless and hopeless. I had so many plans and projects that I wanted to take [part in but I was unable to execute since I was poor. I no longer feel that way. My kids and I now live in a better house and I even have more cattle something that I knew before I could not afford. From the bottom of my heart I ma grateful and I am yet to see any errors from GiveDirectly and its work.

Fortunately through the help of the first transfers I managed to start the construction of my house. I wanted to improve from what I initially had so for the roof I decided to have iron sheets installed unlike before where it was palm thatched. For the first transfers I used most the transfers to build a greater part of the house but I was unable to finish on everything. Upon receiving the second transfers I opted to finish on what was left so I bought thirty pieces of iron sheets which cost me KES 26,500. I was hopeful this amount would help to finally finish up on the roof. Then I went ahead and bough two cows which cost me KES 26,000 and reason behind it was that I wanted to grow my far and have more livestock which I planned on benefitting from them both domestically and mostly commercially.

I remember it was around 6:55pm and I was listening to radio as I waited for 7:00 pm news. I saw a mobile money transfer message pop up on my phone. When I opened it, I found that I had received the transfer. I was so happy, I called my wife and we celebrate together. A joyful evening it was.

My nights nowadays are so peaceful compered to previous nights when I wouldn't sleep well in fear of being bitten by snakes at night.

Previously, I was living in a two roomed house. This house served as the bedroom for both our two children and us as well as the living room. The house was grass thatched and snakes and mice would easily get in the house from anywhere as holes around the house were so evident. For the longest time, I have never invited guests at home because where would they sleep? All I wanted was to build a permanent house whereby I could have some privacy and a space incase of visitors. This seemed like a nightmare which I would never wake up from because as a local farmer living in a dry area, I have never harvested food not only for commercial but for domestic use. The little money I would get from casual jobs was not even enough to pay school fees for two kids. I had already given up on building a better house but upon being enrolled in GiveDirectly program, I became hopeful again and here I am, having build a house using my first transfer. I spend KES 55000 on building my new house.