I have a new goal that I did not have before which is to start a business be it a hotel, a retail shop or a grocery. I have been jobless for ages and I feel it's high time I start earning for the sake of my children's basic needs. Also since they are still in primary school, I need to save a lot so that once they tradition to high school, I will not have to struggle.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well by offering us unconditional cash transfers. Through that, we were able to utilise the cash according to our heart's desires. Additionally, the officers assembled us during our first meeting and educate us more on how to secure the money since they sent it directly to our Mpesa accounts. I do not see anything that needs to be changed so far.

I used KES 30000 of my second transfer on purchasing the following building materials; iron sheets, building poles nails and threads. I had intended to renovate a house for my seven children which almost collapsed because of its poor state. This situation used to stress me a lot considering that I did not have the resources to facilitate the renovation. I was also worried that they might end up moving around to seek shelter because mine was very small. As a parent, I am so delighted to finally accomplish this goal. They are sleeping comfortably without any fear or worries. To add to that, I bought a new mattress at KES 6000 which was to replace the mats that I have been using for ages. I used to experience unending pains every day which sometimes hindered me from doing the house chores. Also, I cleared fees of KES 5000 for my children who are in primary schools. They are now settled and focusing on their incoming exams. With the remaining amount, I bought food for the family and other necessary household needs.

It was around 4pm in the evening and I was just at home relaxing when I got the SMS confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and grateful when I got the money because I didn't even know that I was truly going to get it and it was the help I needed to finally build a better and proper roof for my house as it had stayed for years without one, which used to make us suffer whenever it rains. This was due to the fact that my charcoal burning and selling business hardly raised enough money which mostly catered for my family's daily immediate needs and school fees for my children. So, getting this money was like a redeeming moment to me, and I was very happy and grateful.

The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I was able to address the challenges that used to seem just so impossible before. I was able to build a better and proper roof for my house, as well as built a separate house for my children who are growing up and it will be against our community's culture and traditions for us, as parents, to share the same roof with them. I was also able to get beds and mattresses, settled my children's school fees arrears, bought substantial food for my family and got some livestock as well. Therefore, I can confidently and proudly say that I am living a better and improved life, which is all the biggest difference ever since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly.

I spent most of the transfer which was KES 45000 on building a better and proper roof for my house because it had stayed without a proper one for so long and was basically open as it was barely covered. This used to make me so sad and unhappy for a very long time as we used to suffer whenever it rains. It was very difficult and hard for me to have this addressed because my charcoal burning and selling business hardly raised enough money and the little I could get mostly catered for my family's immediate needs especially food as well as pay for my children's school fees. I am so grateful now that I was able to build a better and proper roof for my family, and we have a better as well as comfortable place to sleep. Getting this roof over my head is also a very good reason for me to be grateful to GiveDirectly for the financial assistance I received.