Since I am alone on a piece of land my husband left me with, I would like to build rental houses and increase my source of income. I have been saving from the money I get from my grandchildren, I am hopeful that by the end of 2023, I would be able to start.

I did not attend school and I cannot read or write which has been a challenge for me. GiveDirectly allowed me to have my brother as a helper, he help me with translation and even help me withdraw my money. I am grateful.

Before receiving the transfer, I was a traditional brewer. I would buy at $1 from the wholesaler and sell as a retailer at $1.3, every day I would get $2. I am a widow, my husband died due to a road accident, and unfortunately, my only child died just a few months later due to illness. I live alone and once in a while, my grandchildren come to visit me and leave me with some amount of money to sustain myself. The money from the business helps me to buy food. Receiving this transfer has enabled me to build a toilet for $500. Earlier on I would go to the bushes or go to the neighbor but right now I am happy to have a toilet on my compound.

Receiving the transfers made me so happy as it reached so early in the morning when I had just woken up from the sleep. I have never believed being one of the Give Directly beneficiaries as most of the times the enrollment is being done when I am out of my village. I received the money when I had not eaten a good meal( with soup) for the longest time, I had to reciprocate by buying a kilogram of beef meat and rice, I celebrated this together with my grandchildren, everyone was so happy, and only wish to meet physically with the Give Directly donors.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I managed to build a modern house. Before the transfers, I had a grass thatched house, which was leaking ,thus the rains destroyed most of my household items.

I used the transfers to build a modern house, I had a grass thatched house which could collapse anytime as it was so old. I used Kshs 35,000 to buy materials , including the labour cost.My peace of mind is finally restored as I no longer get worried during rainy season. I used Kshs 20,000 to pay for my son's school fees, one in college and the other one is in secondary school. The debts had accumulated, and they almost dropped out of school as most of the times they could not attend the classes as required of them.