My new goal is to have my own saloon where my clients can come and get my services. I am currently looking forward to raising some finances that can enhance the stocking of the saloon.

In my opinion, many households in the village appreciated the immense effort by GiveDirectly to alleviate them from poverty. Everyone who received the transfer invested on what they needed most as it was made clear that it was our responsibility to make decisions on spending the cash transfers that we received. I have never heard anyone unsatisfied throughout the process but every appreciating the fair treatment by GiveDirectly that did not favor anyone but gave out equal support.

Being a mother of four children and a trained saloonist, I do house call visits to my clients when they need my services. I had identified a piece of land that I wanted to buy, but I didn't have the cash to purchase it. When I received my second transfer, I went and negotiated with the seller and we agreed that I can get it at KES 20000. My kid had been sent home for fees arrear of KES 12000 and so I was able to clear it so that she could continue with her studies. I also bought foodstuff for my household that included dry cereals and rice, and spent the remaining amount on clothing for my family worth KES 12000, and saved the remaining to serve any emergency and replenishing of any exhausted item in the household.

On receiving a message from GiveDirectly, I was so excited that I had to confirm more than once just to be sure that I was getting the right information. It was around 4:00 pm since I was still looking after my cattle in a distant field. When I came home an hour later, my family was waiting and had to share the great news with them. Everyone was very excited, and we thanked God before collecting the money from the nearby shopping center the next day.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the peace of mind that I got after clearing the debt on the piece of land that we were buying from the neighbor. Previously, I was so worried that I was already planning to auction some assets to raise some amount that would have held the piece back, as the owner was already running out of patience. The receipt of the transfer made it possible for us to make the last payment and be happy that we can now start using the piece of land.

It was with great joy that I received the first transfer that we had been anticipating with my household. Over the last six months, we had been paying for a piece of land from the neighborhood. The pressure from the owner had been so high that I was worried the land could be given out to a new buyer. I was glad that with the agreement with my husband; we cleared the pending debt of KES 50000 with the transfer that made us the legal owners of the piece. With the remaining amount, I had to buy some pairs of clothes for my four children and foodstuff for my family of seven. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the support and looking forward to improving other projects once I receive the second transfer.