I have huge future plans but the challenge is money. I received two transfers and already the money is finished, do not have money at the moment. I would have boosted my business and paid school fees for my children since it is giving me a big headache

Receiving this money from GiveDirectly has been of great help to me and my family. It gave me great joy since I was able to at least accomplish my goals like building my family a house, boosting my business, and paying school fees for my children. Being that GiveDirectly is sending money to individuals and not families was a plus hence no complaints at all.

With the first and second transfers I received from GiveDirectly, I managed to build a house, a two-roomed big house of 24 pieces of iron sheets which I bought at kes. 980 each. Before I started receiving these transfers, I used to live in a mud-thatched house, it was very small and old. It could not fit me, my wife, and my six children. We used to struggle so much to even operate in it. I own a small restaurant, where I cook and sell foodstuffs, like ugali, vegetables, tea, and burns. Before I started receiving these transfers, I used to struggle a lot with my restaurant, it had no adequate capital, and I wished to grow it. I am a father of seven, three boys and four girls. Educating them was a big challenge, I had a huge fee balance but at least these transfers helped me pay part of their school fees. My wife is a maize and vegetable farmer and always takes care of our home. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for your support

Well it was about 6 am in the morning when my phone vibrated and alerted me that there was a text message. I had not gotten out of bed yet. I took my phone and confirmed the text message and I was surprised to find out that the text message was a confirmation that I had received the money. I was very happy at that moment and to say the least was left speechless for about some minutes or so. I then went straight to my wife who was getting ready to prepare breakfast at that time and I told her about the good news and she jumped up and down ululating with joy. To be honest the cash had come in at a good time when I really needed cash.

At the moment I can say I have a house where I me and my family can rest after a long day at work. My previous house had become a laughing stoke in the village. As of now I am grateful for the cash that has enabled me build a good stable house. With the house I am able to sleep well and shelter my other properties and look forward to the next day when I go out and look for something to feed my family.

I spent the cash on building a house since I did not have a good house at all. The one I was sleeping in was in very bad condition on one side and incase it rained during the night I would stay awake to the moment when the rain stops. With the money I bought iron sheets and also wood that was used to build the house. I also used some of the remaining cash to pay school fees for my children who are in school.