The house I've been living on over the years has been of very poor condition, but due to insufficient funds I could not afford to build a new one especially considering that I barely even make enough to feed myself and cater for my other needs and that of my children. But as soo. As I was introduced to GiveDirectly, I told myself an opportunity had presented itself for me to finally build a better home. That is why as soon as I received the transfers from the organisation I went ahead and bought forty pieces of timber for KES 2,000. Then used the balance I remained with to cater for nutrition since on most occasions even getting a meal was difficult especially with the on going drought. I bought eight packets of maize flour for KES 960 and used the remaining KES 40 to get sardines.

In my opinion, Give Directly is doing a great job by giving people unconditional money which is a life saver. I have already used some of my transfers to purchase goats and chicken for rearing. They are good source of income especially after they have reproduced. I am guaranteed of improved life with both the income I will earn from them in the future and the coming transfers too.

I do casual work which pays me at most Ksh 150 per day but it is not reliable. Life has been a struggle because whatever I earn can not meet most of my household's needs. Due to this, I have not been able to construct a bigger and better house. Instead, we are forced to squeeze in the small house with a leaking roof. When I received my first two transfers I spent Ksh 4000 on three chicken and a goat for rearing. I did not have any of these since I could not afford them. By the end of the year after they will have reproduced I will sell some of them and add whatever I will earn from the sales to my coming transfers in order to raise money for constructing a better house.

The day I received this money I was seated at home just enjoying the morning breezing as I was taking my breakfast. I heard my phone ring in the other room. When I went to check I was pleasantly surprised as I did not expect it to come that early. I was very happy and felt like a burden had been lifted from my shoulders.

The biggest difference in my life is that now I have financial stability where I can protect and provide for my family without a struggle. I know that even during tough times my family would not go to bed hungry.

With this money, I thought about starting to buy poultry that would help me later on whenever we are short of money. I would rear the chicks and sell them bringing in some income. I was able to spend KES.1500 on three chickens. For the rest of the money, I was able to buy food worth KES.1500 which would ensure that my family goes to bed full which has been hard due to the famine we are experiencing at the moment.