The cost of living is currently so high that starting a new project is impossible. Our reliance on subsistence and livestock farming is currently at a halt due to the region's severe drought. This has compelled us to engage in casual labor under the scorching sun in search of food. Aside from the daily food that I should be providing for my children, the recurring payment of school fees is also impeding the beginning of a new goal. I am hopeful, however, that once all of my children have completed their studies, I will be able to start a new business.

GiveDirectly made an honorable gesture by entrusting us with such a large sum of money with the option of spending it on our household needs. Everyone was delighted and grateful that they had chosen our village from among many, and we demonstrated how valuable this support was to us through the wise and varied decisions we made in our households. At the moment, we are pleased with the transformation depicted and grateful that GiveDirectly handled everything professionally from start to finish.

Balancing the current demand for household foodstuffs with the obligation to clear huge bills such as school fees and the construction of a new house has been a challenge for my family of seven throughout the spending period. I am glad I finally settled with my family and used $230 of the second transfer to build a more advanced kitchen with a corrugated iron-sheet roof. I am pleased that the new structure has provided additional space from the original kitchen for some of my children who have been looking for a bed space to sleep in their grandparents' home. I also spent $170 on clearing the tuition fees for my two secondary school sons, who are currently studying diligently, with no interruptions. Previously, I would struggle to pay their school fees, and it would only get better when they received a government bursary or leased out a portion of our land to make the payment. With the remaining funds, I remodeled our bedrooms and purchased new bedding and clothing for my children.

It was around 6 pm and I was at home relaxing having finished milking the cow when I thought of checking my phone which I had left in the house. I went to get it and I saw that I had a new messge. I decided to open it to check what it was all about and I was so much surprised to find out that I had received the promised transfer of KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so excited on seeing this and I thanked God and GiveDirectly for the blessing.

The transfer has brought a big difference in my life and that of my family. This is because I finally managed to achieve my goal of building another decent house for them. The new house will be the main house where we can sleep and welcome guests visiting our household, and the other old one will be the kitchen. I am also happy because I managed to clear paying for my children's school fees and they have not been sent home due to arrears. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for the help.

My main priority upon receiving the transfer was to build another house. I have been living in only one house with my children and for the longest time, I have been hoping to build another house where we can sleep. I, however, didn't have the money needed to do so since most of the money that I make usually goes to the payment of school fees for my three children. I thus bought 22 iron sheets at KES 22000, nails at KES 3000, and a door at KES 5000. The construction is still ongoing and I am hoping that I will be able to complete building it soon. Other than that, I also spent KES 7500 on paying school fees for my children and another KES 4000 on buying school uniforms for them. Getting money for their school fees has not been easy, I usually rent out my land to get some money. Other than that, I also usually apply for bursaries. For this, I am grateful to GiveDirectly for the support. With the remaining transfer amount, I spent it on buying food and some missing utensils in my household.