My son graduated from highschool about four years ago. He had dreams of pursuing his education further by going to college and learning skills that would enable him have a greater future. I wanted the best for my son but unfortunately due to the lack of resources and funds he failed to continue with his goals and ambitions. Therefore my plan was that if I got enough money, then I could finally resurrect his dreams and send to college so that he would have better control of his future and what is to come. I also wanted to renovate my house because it was old and always in need of renovation plus a more modern home and well equipped with proper furniture would make me content.

I have nothing to complain about when it comes to GiveDirectly especially since through the funds I received I managed to clear my debts and most importantly ensure that my children continue to have a chance in pursuing their education and accomplishing their dreams. I am officially a happy parent. The burden and weight of my son never going back to school as he had wanted was too dense for me but I am glad I can now see them through it.

I did mention that I had plans to either renovate my house or build another home where I could live but I had to put that on pause since I used the first transfer to pay college fee for my first son who was preparing to be a lecturer and was about to sit for his last exam. I was hoping with the second transfer I would have a chance to finally build, but I had to prioritise on my other son who had finished highschool four years ago and failed to join college. I needed my kids to have a greater future than the one I had and I felt like as their parent I owed them that. After receiving the transfers I went ahead and put away KES 40,000 into my savings account, because my son plans to study electrical engineering when he enrolls in school on May of this year, so I need to be financially prepared. Then I used about KES 8,500 in matters concerning nutrition because there was barely any food in the house and the persistent drought has not made anything easier. I bought three bags of maize flour which contained a dozen packets each which was about KES 3,600, three sacks of rice which was about KES 3,000 and the rest of the balance I bought sugar, salt, cooking oil, laundry detergent, tea leaves and even bread. Lastly I used KES 2,500 to finish clearing a debt to the solar energy provider since I had installed solar power for the purposes of lighting in my home but kept paying in installments for almost close to a year.

It was an early morning when I left for shamba to plant some crops. As I was struggling to complete the target portion though I was very tired I heard a message tone in my phone and I paused to see what the message was all about. I jumped up and down forgetting how tired I was due to the good news I saw. It was a transfer of KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly. As the saying goes, “money is a motivational factor” I felt energized I happily and strongly completed the targeted area and left for home a happy person.

The biggest difference I can story tell is being able to provide college education for my children who were heartbroken due to my financial situation and they were not seeing themselves anywhere near to college especially the one who was to join. And the one was already in college was counting losses for his time and money wasted since he knew he won’t be able to complete his final semester but that thanks to GiveDirectly for coming in on time for my family.

The first thing I settled was a college issue that was depriving me of my peace. I have one of my children who is supposed to join college but due to lack of money the issue was giving me sleepless nights. Hence, I took KES 30000.00 and kept it for him as he awaits the reporting date. Thereafter, I took KES 10000.00 and paid for another college child who is finalizing his course this semester. Having settled the two issues that were giving me some headache, I used the remaining amount in food and buying seeds and some fertilizers.