The rental houses that I managed to build with the second transfer are made of timber and most of the time, I have to do renovations because of the ants invasion. My long-time goal is to build other houses made of concrete. For now, I am saving money from the other project and hopefully this year I can begin.

From the first meeting we had with GiveDirectly, the staffs were polite, they insisted we ask questions, and whenever we could not understand they never got tired.

Before receiving this transfer, I was employed at a private residence as a gardener. My salary was $4 a day that I spent most on food for my family. The money was not enough to take care of other bills such as water and school fees. I had school fees arrears every month because I could not manage to pay on time which made my four children be sent out of school. My family lived in a one-roomed house and during the night, three of my children would go sleep with their grandmother who stayed nearby, our house could not occupy all of us at once. Receiving this money has enabled me to build three rental houses for that I get $30 a month. The money has helped me pay school fees for my children without strain, saved and I was able to extend my house. We all sleep in the same house and the children have their rooms.

It was 6.45pm in the evening and I was on my way home from work when I received the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I was so grateful when I got the money because I knew that my dreams would be fulfilled especially in purchasing the land that was in a place with access to the facilities I have always desired to be close to. These facilities include, water, shops, good and accessible road as well as electricity. I wanted to get this land because I have been living in a far remote area which is hardly accessible even by a motorcycle and I had no ability since my job as a gardener in a private farm earns me a very little income which mostly caters for my family's daily immediate needs and pay for my children's school fees. Therefore, I was so grateful when I received this money from GiveDirectly because it brought my dreams to life.

The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that I am no longer as stressed about my appearance because I never used to be like everyone else especially the fact that I have been living in the most remote area which is inaccessible even by a motorcycle. I now have a better house with a metal grill door, which makes me so proud because its appearance is also very good. I was able to make the first partial payment for the piece of land that is close to the facilities that I have always desired to have access to, all thanks to GiveDirectly.

I spent most of the transfer which was KES 20000 on making a partial payment for the purchase of a piece of land that I had wanted for so long to have because it had access to the facilities that I have desired for so long. These facilities include water, shops, good road and electricity. I had no reliable access to these facilities because I have been living in a very remote area which is hardly accessible even by a motorcycle. I couldn't afford to make any payment for this piece of land because my job as a gardener in a private farm barely earned me enough money even to meet my family's daily immediate needs. I feel so good and happy that I was able to make the first partial payment which I know that were it not for GiveDirectly, then it would have definitely taken me quite a very long time or it could never happen. The biggest benefit I am set to enjoy in this land I acquired is that, even though it is close to the highway, it is yet to be fully developed which is a chance and opportunity for me to set up a business and be among the first business owners as the area develops so will my business. This makes me so happy and proud.