Initially I was a peasant famer relying on the rains for me to plant some food crops for family use. Over time the climate has changed unpredictable, we no longer have the long rains which we depended for good harvest. This condition forced me to start making and selling charcoal which is now a heavy task for me due to old age. My life has been full of challenges since access to daily food was a problem. But since GiveDirectly chipped in; my live is now different since I feel fulfilled with what I have achieved with these transfers. I am now a happy and confident grandmother unlike before. Poverty had instilled fear in me and I was unhappy due to the fact of lacking to provide basic needs for the family. My future is bright, no more stress in my life and children are going to school comfortably unlike before when they could spent most of the time at home due to school fees.

GiveDirectly has improved the lives of many; including me through the transfers we were sent. From the transfers, some started businesses; others equipped existing business while others paid school fees for their children as well as constructing houses. Everything has been so smooth in my experience with GiveDirectly, and so there isn't anything they haven't done well.

My desire was to own a decent and a comfortable house to accommodate my four grandchildren who are orphans and the solely depend on me. This has been impossible to achieve, however, since I am now unable to make charcoals for sale as before due to old age. We, therefore, lived in a small, dilapidated house that was congested. When I received the first transfer, I started building a better house, but I could not complete it since the money was not enough. For this reason, I opted to wait for the 2nd transfer so as to complete the house. As at now the house is complete and my grandchildren and I are living comfortably. I also used part of the second transfer to pay school fees for the four grand children and saved the rest for the family’s upkeep.

I was at the market place doing my daily work of casual labour when I had the message notification on my phone. I was surprised to learn that I had received the transfer which I was eagerly awaiting. I felt very happy since it has been long to receive such a huge amount of money.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now able to meet the needs of the family more easily. Through the transfer,I was able to purchase enough food and clothing for my family members.

I spent $350 to purchase building materials this was for the construction of a decent house for the family. This is because the house that I had was very small to fully accommodate me with my grandchildren. In addition, I was able to clear the fees balances for my 4 grandchildren who are still in primary school. Furthermore, I bought proper clothing and acquire sufficient food for the family. I also saved the remaining amount for any financial emergency that might arise.