The fact that I cleared the fees arrears for my children, it has made my life to be so different. They have been sent home several times to collect school fees and due to my low income, they could stay at home even for weeks as I was still looking for the money to pay. This was really frustrating me I thought I had failed them as a parent. This is because they could miss classes and even exams and this was really affecting their academic performance. I am now hopeful and happier because ever since I received my first transfer all is well now because they are now studying without any difficulties. I could not not have done all this if it were not for GiveDirectly to come to my village. According to me GiveDirectly never failed us.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly has been of great impact on my whole village. This is because the majority of us now own livestock such as goats, some dairy cows, and oxen. This is still unbelievable to most of us because had it not the organization coming to our village our lives would still be the same. We were not expecting our lives to change anytime soon.We thank God for the financial support from GiveDirectly. Secondly, the majority of us are now sleeping under iron-roofed houses which are permanent. Previously we used to sleep under small huts which are grass thatched and sometimes leaking. We are now happy and grateful because all is well now courtesy of GiveDirectly. For those reasons, I do not see any part that GiveDirectly has not done well.

I spent the while of my second transfer on buying a tree cutting machine. I had to pay the KES 53150 which was not enough, so had an agreement that I will be paying the remaining amount of money on instalments. The logging machine is of high demand in my village became their are so many big trees which can be cut and produce some timber. I had thought of buying this machine but i could not afford. Currently my i am using it in producing of timber which i supply them to the markets. I benefiting a lot through this machine. Because I also hire them to neighbors at a fee which is an added income to me. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly my life has really transformed.

There is nothing self-fulfilling like having something you can always refer to as your own asset, and owning these livestock has made me get the feeling. It is a nice feeling. I have what most people have and I am proud of them. The daily difference is the fulfilment I have when I look at my livestock and I feel contented.

The notification came at the time I least expected it. I was always in distress on how to make my life better but solutions were not forthcoming. I felt so happy and knew that at least I was going to move a level higher than where I was.

I have never owned my own cows. Instead, a neighbour gave me his so that in return, he pays me for taking care of them. This was quite embarrassing, the fact that you are taking care of livestock yet you do not have your own made the situation worse and occasionally not getting paid for the job. I used to feel pity for myself. When I received money from GiveDirectly, to relieve myself of this kind of embarrassment, I bought my own. I feel I have gotten some little respect as I can now make some decisions regarding the livestock, a voice I did not have before. I am also looking forward to milking them once they give birth for my family consumption. The remaining part of the money went to buying daily food for my family.