In my opinion, Give Directly does tremendously well in giving out cash as a form of aid. Living in a poverty-stricken society like mine comes with so many needs, especially food, education, water, clothing, and shelter. Money is the perfect key to fulfilling all these necessities depending on individual preferences. By offering financial aid to people, Give Directly gives them a choice to decide on expenditures for themselves.

Since my husband passed away, I have been single-handedly providing for our household of two (my mother-in-law and I). I took on a small business of selling ground tobacco to the local users in my neighborhood to earn an income that would sustain our living. Through this, I at least afford to put meals on the table; but nothing beyond. Sometimes, my married daughter, who is the only child, extends a helping hand by sending me money to purchase food and sanitary essentials like washing powder. However, this does not happen often because she also has her family’s responsibilities to fulfill. Besides raising money for food, I have similarly struggled to construct another house since the old one collapsed. After the unfortunate incident, one of my relatives offered me a small space in her house. This is where I have been seeking shelter and spending my nights as I wait for an opportunity to build a new structure. Honestly, I had hit rock bottom on sourcing funds to finance the building procedure. The transfer presented a vital breakthrough to initiate the project. I used the entire amount, KES 3,000, to buy wooden poles for the house. I am confident that the next transfers will allow me to hire a builder to construct the shelter to completion.

My brother was the one who helped me check my phone and confirm that I had received money from GiveDirectly because that day we were all home when the notification came in, but then I could not read what it entailed, luckily he was there to assist. As soon as I found out that I had received funds from the organization my face was lit with so much happiness and gratitude because I could finally see myself having a house again a year after mine collapsed. Better late than never though.

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From the moment I got introduced to GiveDirectly and realised I would be receiving cash transfers per month I was very excited because I have wanted to build a house ever since my previous home collapsed due to too much wind about a year ago. After my house fell I moved in with my mother because I lacked the funds to be able to build a new home, and that is why after I found out about GiveDirectly and its program I was extremely excited because I had been presented with an opportunity to have finances to build a new house. As soon as I got the transfer from GiveDirectly I immediately went ahead and deposited the money which was KES 1,200 in my savings account, because my plan was to keep putting away the money I received until it was enough for me to build. This was also to assist me from mismanaging the funds.