Back in the village a group of some of us decided to form a savings committee where we contributed money and delivered it to individual people at intervals per month. The whole purpose for this was so that once it became someone's turn to receive the money it would be a significant amount and they could indulge or use it in any project they preferred. So when I received the money I went ahead and contributed KES 2,000 to the savings committee and hopefully when my turn comes to eventually receive the money I will get KES 15,000 which I plan on using to help renovate my house since it very old and in a poor state and I am scared that it might collapse. Lastly I was left with KES 1,000 which I used to buy eight packets of maize flour and six gallons of water for KES 260 since drinking water was scarce.

I spent all the three transfers in a very useful way. Like I said, I have already received three transfers. I used the first kshs 1,200 to buy food and go for medication. That is 6 packets of 2kg maize flour worth kshs 660 and vegetables worth kshs 100. I had a terrible flu at that time, so I used kshs 400 for my medication. The second transfer of kshs 3,000 then came in when I had a plan to renovate my house. I saved kshs 1,500 in a merry go round for my house repair, I bought 10 packets of 2kg maize flour worth kshs 1,100, vegetables at kshs 100 and later bought water worth kshs 300. There is drought here so water is this much expensive. I used the third transfer of kshs 3,000 on savings, food and water. You understand I'm saving for the repair of my house. So I still saved kshs 1,500 for the repair in a merry go round. I bought 4 packets of 2kg maize flour worth kshs 880, vegetables worth kshs 200 and water worth kshs 500. I'm a casual labourer, you realize that casual jobs are not very stable and so is my income. Thank you very much Give Directly for coming through for me.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well in terms of sending us cash. The cash is very enabling us to plan accordingly on how to use the money to improve our lives. I commend them for that.

The main challenge we are currently facing is high food prices and lack of rain. The drought situation has made us struggle a lot. This forces us to buy food from the shop. Everything we planted on the farm dried up and that means we cannot get food from the farm. When I received the transfer I did prioritize buying food for my family. I spent KSH 1000 doing that. Water has become very hard to find. Like the food, we also have to buy water from the water vendors at very high prices. I spent KSH 500 purchasing water for my home use. In addition to buying food and water, I spent KSH 1500 in savings in my Chama. We opted to start the Chama so that we can save money and get a considerable amount that one can use to start a bigger project for himself.

I was in my house sleeping because I was not feeling well at that time. When I found that I heard received the cash I was very happy. I did not have money to go to hospital or even buy myself medicine. I was depending on local herbs and local medicine. I was happy although I was in pain. In my heart I was full of joy in that the cash will help me out.

I can say the cash has made a big difference in my life. I was going through a hard time in that I did not have food and I was sick at the same time. Through this funds I was able to attend to myself and I am now glad that I well and can move around and hustle for myself and my family. Thank you so much.

I spent KSH 870 in buying food. I did not have any food and I had slept hungry the previous day. So when the amount was sent the first thing I thought of doing was buying food first. I also spent 300 shilling to buy medicine since I was not feeling well at that time.