My life is different than it would have been if I had never received the transfer in that I am now stress-free after completing the payment of my school fees. Previously, I was constantly sent home due to fees arrears. In addition, I am constructing a decent and spacious shelter for my mum and very soon she will be living a comfortable life when I complete the construction. Furthermore, I was able to start a goat rearing, a future investment for the family.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well in coming up with the cash transfer program which has upgraded the living standard of many households in my village. I am very grateful for the aid. I do not see anything that it does not do well.

I spent $140 to clear the fees arrears. I am in secondary school and I have been constantly sending home due to the huge fee balance. In addition, I used $200 to construct a modern house for my mum. This is because the house that we had is very small to fully accommodate her and her 2 co-wives. Also, I bought 2 pairs of school uniforms for myself. The remaining amount helped me in seeking medical care for my father and purchased one goat.

My phone had been off for the whole day and when I finally restarted it, I saw the one message that I have been anxiously waiting for. I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt happy and at peace because I could now clear my school fees and also for my siblings.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that the transfer has enabled me to pay school fees for myself and for my siblings. I am currently in high school and living with my father who is the breadwinner. He earns very little from his carpentry workshop and most of it goes to food. I would not be at school now were it not for the transfer. I paid for a whole term to avoid my learning and that of my siblings from being discontinued due to lack of fees.

I spent a bigger portion of the transfer on buying 18 pieces of iron sheets, nails and building poles to facilitate building of a new house. The current living house is in a bad state, its roof is dilapidated and leaking whenever it rains. This at times forced me to seek shelter from neighbours. I am happy to live in a new decent and iron roofed house. In addition to this, I also paid KES 16000 for my school fees and that of my siblings. I recently joined high school and thus I paid for a whole term. I will be able to comfortably continue with my studies without any interruptions on school fees. I also spent a portion of the transfer on buying enough foodstuffs that will serve us for a long time.