I have spent most of my life living in a small grass-thatched hut with no hope of building a better house. Having an iron sheets house was far from reach for me since I could not afford to buy the necessary building materials, such as the iron sheets. I have endured several seasons of rain and cold weather, but I had no choice. However, I am grateful because my priority was to acquire a new piece of land and build a new iron-roofed house. The place where I have been living with my family was not my own, and for fear of potential land disputes in the future, I resolved to buy my land, an acre. I had already made a payment using my first transfer but had not cleared the full amount. When I received my second transfer, I cleared the outstanding $120, and I am now the full owner of this land. I can now build my home and use the land for agricultural practice as well. After clearing the balance, I purchased the building materials, which included 28 iron sheets, nails, timber, and building poles to construct a two-room iron-roofed house. I am at peace now because I am no longer facing the challenges I experienced while living in the grass-thatched hut. Even when it rains heavily, I feel very safe with my family. Additionally, I also replaced my bedding with new ones, as they were old and worn-out. I bought a new mattress and a bed, costing me $130, and now I am sleeping soundly on my new sleeping arrangement.

I want to express my appreciation for GiveDirectly and how they managed the entire enrollment process, right through to giving us the cash. They conducted everything fairly and delivered as promised, making it easier for us to plan for ourselves based on our individual needs. I'm sure everyone else who was enrolled feels the same way. I really wish the program could continue for more months to further transform our lives!

I have always dreamed of owning my own piece of land where my family and I can live, and thanks to the transfers I received from GiveDirectly, this dream has become a reality. With the support from GiveDirectly, I was able to purchase an acre of land and I am currently in the process of building a new house there. My goal now is to complete the construction of this house using my own financial resources. I am grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly which has made a significant impact on this project. In addition to building my house, I have also started a business buying and selling cashew nuts with the second transfer I received. My aim is to expand this business as it has proven to be profitable, allowing me to earn around $5 on a good day. This business has provided me with a more stable source of income compared to my previous work as a casual laborer on other people's farms, making it easier for me to meet my needs.

Investing in a better future for my family has always been my priority. With the recent cash transfer, I took a significant step towards securing stability. Purchasing an acre of land for $200 was a pivotal moment, freeing us from the frustrations of residing on family land with a contentious owner. Owning this land brings a sense of relief, knowing that my children will have a place to call home without the looming threat of displacement. Alongside this investment, I diversified our income by purchasing two goats, envisioning them as a source of additional funds for my children's education in the future. With the immediate needs addressed, I directed a portion of the funds towards ensuring my children's education remains uninterrupted. Paying $90 in school fees for my three kids alleviates the burden that often hinders their academic progress. Now, with the assurance of settled schooling, I anticipate a brighter future for them. Finally, investing $200 in materials for our upcoming house project filled me with excitement and anticipation. Moving away from our grass-thatched house symbolized progress and a newfound sense of stability. As my husband and I navigate through various job opportunities to make ends meet, the prospect of finally owning a decent house fills us with hope and determination. No longer will we sleep in a grass-thatched house; instead, we will soon move into a home that symbolizes progress and stability for our family of six.

For over a decade, the weight of hardship burdened every day of my married life. Living on family land was supposed to be a blessing, but instead, it became a battleground rife with conflicts and frustrations, each day a struggle to maintain our place amidst claims we should vacate. This made me worry a lot for my family of six, which is growing. Adding to our woes, our house was a grass-thatched one, and it could leak terribly during the winter seasons. I was hopeless and a sad mother because these conditions used to affect my children's health, leaving me feeling hopeless and despondent. The arrival of GiveDirectly transformed our lives in ways I could never have imagined. With their unconditional cash transfers, we were empowered to purchase our own land, marking the first step towards a brighter future, and I am now in the process of building a new house on it. No longer bound by the shackles of uncertainty, we're escaping the clutches of familial conflict and the humiliation that once plagued us. GiveDirectly didn't just provide financial assistance; they restored our dignity and ignited a flame of hope that had long been flickering in the darkness.

At precisely 3 in the evening, as I made my way to my neighbor's home to check on their ailing daughter, a notification lit up my phone. As illiterate as I am, I patiently waited until I returned home to ask my son to decipher its contents. With a sense of anticipation, he revealed that it was an MPESA message from GiveDirectly. A rush of joy flooded my heart as I grasped the significance of the moment. I knew that this unexpected windfall meant more than just financial relief; it signified the end of an era spent enduring the discomforts of a grass-roofed house, which leaned precariously with each rainfall. Imagining the security of sleeping under an iron roof, I felt a profound sense of gratitude and hope, knowing that this gesture would bring not only shelter but also newfound stability to our lives.