When I received the second transfer, I developed another goal before utilizing it for what I planned. My plan is to add more goats to the ones I bought using the first transfer. Buying goats will be a long-term investment for me and since they have ready markets, I will be able to sell them if need arises.

GiveDirectly is an empowering organization that enables people to acquire things they desired but could not because of poverty. Personally, I managed to take my grandson to college as well as managed to buy a modern bed which I do not know if I would have gotten it if it were not for GiveDirectly.

Upon withdrawing the second transfer, the first thing I did was to pay KES 30000.00 college fees for my grandson who had been at home for quite a long time befire joining college. The delay was due to lack of money for his academics. Since he was my helper, I felt it as my responsibility to ensure that he gets good education. I also bought a bed and a mattress for KES 10000.00 because the ones I had were worn-out. Thereafter I opted to save the remaining amount for the family upkeep since it was a drought season.

It was around 8am when I heard my phone vibrating. Since I do not know how to read and write, I called my helper to read and interpret the message for me. What a lovely start of the day! The message was good news that I had received KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. My heart melted in joy and appreciation since I couldn’t even dream of getting such amount of money at once.

Initially, I was ever in the forest cutting some logs to make charcoals for sale. This job had distanced me with my family because I used to leave as early as 6am and be back late in the evening. But since the time I received the transfer, things have changed. I used to run up and down in search for the college fees for my son and food for the family but as at now the fees are settled and we have food at home. I am grateful that I got some time to rest a bit before resuming for my charcoal business.

When I received the money, I had a child who was in college and in the verge of dropping due to the college fees and I had no means of catering for his college education. In that regard I immediately took KES 30000.00 and paid for him and I am glad he is now comfortable in college. Thereafter, I was thinking of buying a cow but since cows were dying because of drought, I opted to buy 4 goats for KES 10000.00 because goats can survive drought compared to cows. And since the drought was not to the animals alone, I used the remaining amount to sustain my family in that period in terms of buying food and some water.