My plan included building a home especially since during the rainy season it was stressful and a mess all because my iron sheets had holes all over them and when it rained outside it was as if it was raining inside as well. My house would fill with water and my kids and I would have to keep moving stuff like furniture around so that they did not drenched and neither would our beddings. Keeping in mind the kids probably had school the following day and yet they could not afford to get good sleep the previous night.

Were it not for the funds allocated by GiveDirectly I would have probably still be stuck in poverty and would have never got the chance to ever build a better home for myself. I am honestly very grateful for the opportunity that was handed to me because it has brought about great positive impact on me and my family and has given us better living condition as compared to the ones we had prior. I have no complaints whatsoever but I am rather grateful for the assistance from GiveDirectly.

After receiving my secong transfer I took it as a chance to now begin the construction of my house since I was now financially capable to afford it. I bought timber, iron sheets and a new door which cost me about KES 12,500. My reasons for wanting a house were not only because the roof leaked during the rainy season but also the fact that the house I lived in, we happen to share it with my co-wives and it was about time I got and owned my place and managed my privacy. I also managed to buy a new bed and mattress which cost me KES 4,000 and 4,500 respectively. The reason behind it being that before I slept on a sisal bed which was barely comfortable but beggars are not chooses so it served me during that time. But after I received the funds I thought it right to buy new furniture. The rest of the money I mostly used it on food because nutrition was also another challenge for us due to the drought.

It was around 9pm and I was relaxing in bed after having had my supper when I got an SMS that I definitely knew it must be the one that was confirming that I have received the money from GiveDirectly, although I didn't immediately check to confirm because it was at night and I didn't want to bother anyone. My son, however, checked it for me the following day in the morning and confirmed the good news. I was so happy when I got the money because I was redeemed from the hardships that I was facing in my life especially having to rely on cutting trees and burn charcoal and sell, which barely raised enough for our daily bread.

The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is I can now confidently and proudly say that I am living like a person. I no longer go through the hardships I used to before I started receiving money from GiveDirectly, especially having to do the tiresome and tedious work of cutting trees and burn charcoal to sell. We now get food regularly and have goats that supplement our meals and will continue taking care of us for a long time. I am so happy and proud.

I spent most of the transfer which was KES 45000 on building a better house for my family because the one we were living in previously was in a very poor state since it was a house left behind by my late husband and it had grown old and deteriorated over time. It was in such a poor condition that it wasn't any different from sleeping out in the for when it rained, we had to spend the whole night awake since it was raining inside the house. Therefore, this house that I am building is all that I wanted and I am so happy for it. I also spent KES 8000 on buying two goats that I believe are an investment that will live on, multiply and increase in numbers which inturn I'll be able to count on in the future to help me address the financial challenges I will be facing. This is because, I know money can be used and be finished but these goats will live on and multiply, I am so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly.