I applaud the organization for coming in to rescue us during a moment when we really needed the help. Through the donations we have been able to prosper financially and it can be seen clearly through better homes that people have built, kids are going to school and most importantly we are not starving anymore.

I was very happy to realize that the Organization had sent out the transfer this time round because I was really looking forward to purchasing a goat which I did for KES 1,500. I see this as a future investment because so far I have managed to get two goats and I'm hoping that down the line they can breed and allow me to have more so that eventually I can benefit finacially. I proceeded to spend KES 1,000 buying five packets of maize flour, sardines and groceries because there was barely any food in the house and we were almost going to bed hungry that evening. Lastly I spent the balance of KES 500 on tuition for two of my grandkids because it had actually been two days since they had attended school.

I was at home listening to the radio, at around 6.50 p.m. when I received a message alert on my mobile form. I immediately checked to see what it was all about only to find out that my first transfer from Give Directly had been sent. After starving throughout the previous night and day, I felt relieved to finally afford some food for my family that evening.

Due to the lack of a stable source of income, hunger is a major concern in my household. Since the month began up until the day I received the transfer, my family had slept hungry for at least five days. However, the narrative changed after the transfer. I acquired enough food through the money and we have never starved since then.

At 69, I cannot actively take part in strenuous tasks to financially support my family. I mostly depend on my son, working as a construction laborer in Mombasa, to provide for the family of seven children. To supplement the little he sends homes, I have been saving through a self-help group as little as KES 10 per day. My contribution to the group can help me occasionally obtain a loan up to KES 500, especially in times of need. However, this does not guarantee a stable income source because sometimes things get tough and the household runs out of food and lacks any means to secure more. This is what happened the evening before the transfer, where we had to drink porridge because there was not enough food. As a result, I spent KES 800 to buy food. I used KES 300 to clear the pending school fee balance of my grandchild who was constantly pulled from class to collect the money. I spent the remaining amount on a chicken, to start rearing and have a stable income source in the future when it breeds.