Lack of peace of mind has been a huge bother in me. Living not knowing what the next meal for my family is was something hurting to think of. When I received the money message, I felt so excited and dumbfounded. Before GiveDirectly chipped in, things were bad, our living situation was pathetic. No food, no good shelter, no bedding, no livestock, on school fees. But since the day I received your support my life heavens opened. My family and I live in a good house not as before, we are sleeping on beds well dressed but initially we used to sleep on boards, we used to live in a congested house - single room house but now we managed to construct a second house. We can now afford some food not as before when we used to sleep hungry. My child is now comfortable in school no more worries as before when he was afraid even passing outside the teachers’ staff room.

Givedirectly has no faults, we wish if it could be possible for them to add us another chance but since the terms and conditions do not allow, we wish the organization all the best as it steps to assist other people in other areas of need too.

I am a mother of two children; my life was full of struggles in up keeping and raising my children. Sourcing for school fees for my children has been a tale for a while; thanks to GiveDirectly. My elder son completed his secondary school education and is now a casual laborer trying to see how he can define his life. The young one now in form three at Jila Secondary school. He has been a close friend to leave out sheets, being sent back home for school fees. I have been leaving in a small house which wasn’t enough for my family. It reached a time when my children were sleeping at their friends’ homes. Sleeping hungry was not a strange thing to my family. Upon receiving the second transfer, I paid school fees for my form three child; I constructed a bigger house and left the small one to my children. I also solved a long-term bedding problem. I bought nice clothes for my family and also bought two goats. I bought food stuffs with the remaining amount and up-to-date the food we are taking is as a result of GiveDirectly.

I was preparing to go to my usual place of work for charcoal preparation. It was about 10 o'clock when I heard the message notification in my phone. My helper was around and she confirmed that it was the transfer I have been waiting. I felt very happy for receiving the transfer and I had to cancelled my days plan went to the Mpesa shop to withdrew the cash since I had no food for the family.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am residing in a decent and comfortable shelter with my family. Previously I was spending sleepless night due to the leaking roof of my house. In addition, I was worried that the house might fall anytime which was risky to our lives.

I spent my transfer to purchase building materials including 18 iron sheets for $160, building poles, timber for $90, and paying labour charges. This was for the construction of a new house since the one I had was leaking due to the rusty roof and it had started to lean on one side. In addition, I used $70 to clear the fee arrears of my daughter who is in secondary school. This is because she was constantly sent home due to the fee problem something that has affected her performance. I also bought enough food with the remaining amount.