After using the second transfer, I developed another goal that I would like to accomplish once I get some money. I have a plot at the trading center and I would like to build some rental houses which will be my investment and I am sure once they get some tenants I will be having a reliable source of income.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did a great humanitarian activity in empowering people not by telling them what to do with the cash transfers they sent instead they allowed them to choose for themselves depending on their needs. On my side, I opted to use the second transfer on food due to the hardship I was passing through but I am grateful for having a mark for GiveDirectly since it enabled me to build a house using the first transfer.

Since the money came at a time when we were facing hardship in terms of getting some food and water due to the drought that affected us, these were the priority after withdrawing. I bought enough food stock for the family to ensure food security. I also bought three goats for KES 9000.00. On Christmas day I slaughtered one and celebrated with my family. Last month February 2022, I sold one because we had no food and we are now going on well.

While still asleep at around 9am, my phone rang just beside my head. I felt irritated since my mind was very tired not knowing where to get some money for the family upkeep. Upon checking what the message was all about, I felt a live. My body gained strength, my mind refreshed and I was overwhelmed because I saw a lot of money in my phone that had been sent by GiveDirectly.

The fact that I no longer seek for shelter is a big difference in my life. It was shameful sleeping in children’s house but I had no alternative. As of now I am gaining my respect because there was no privacy in the previous house I was staying. I sincerely have nothing to payback to this noble organization for what it did for me. May God bless GiveDirectly and its entire staff for the good and humanitarian work they are doing.

After withdrawing the money, the first thing I did was to construct a house. I didn’t have a house before instead I was sleeping in my grandson’s house, so I took this as an opportunity to build my own house. A better part of the transfer went in the house construction. The remaining amount I used it for food and also for fetching some water because our area has some hardship in sourcing for water. A bucket of 20 liters goes for KES 50.00 and its several miles from where we fetch. In that regard we have to hire a motorbike for us to go fetch some water.