In the coming year, I have a goal that I am determined to accomplish. I want to construct a new house for my grandson, who has been struggling to find a comfortable place to sleep in our neighborhood. Although he's been fortunate enough to have a spot at friends' houses, I can see how it has been a challenge for him, especially when the other households in our village have friends over too, and he's left without a place to sleep. By building a new house, I aim to ensure his comfort and offer him the opportunity to accommodate any visitors that come to our home, providing much-needed extra space for our family and friends. It's a project filled with love and the hope of creating a warm and welcoming environment for my grandson and everyone who enters our home.

GiveDirectly has truly been a lifeline for us, and I can't emphasize enough what they have done well. Their support was not only free but also completely fair to everyone, which was a refreshing change. When we first heard about the idea of a free transfer, we were all so amazed that we could hardly believe it. However, when the money finally landed in our accounts, just as we were told it would, we couldn't help but thank God, and from that moment on, we have complete faith in every piece of information GiveDirectly provides. Despite the numerous challenges we faced, the unconditional nature of the money has made a profound impact on our lives, and we are always eager to share our success story with others. The distinct and efficient disbursement model, where we all received the money at the same time, was perfect. I genuinely hope that every person out there can experience the kind of transformation and hope that GiveDirectly has brought into our lives.

I am so grateful for the unconditional cash transfer I received from GiveDirectly, as it allowed me to make some significant improvements in my life. I used $318 to construct a new house, which has been a long-held dream of mine. The extra space it provides will make living with my family of three so much more comfortable. During the construction, I paid $30 in labor costs to skilled workers who helped bring my vision to life. Additionally, I purchased a bed and mattress for $19, ensuring a more comfortable night's sleep for all of us. Education is important to me, so I set aside $30 to cover my granddaughter's secondary school fees. To make sure everyone in the family is well fed, I allocated $8 for food expenses. Lastly, I invested $15 in household goods to make our daily lives more convenient, and the remaining $30 went towards fencing around my piece of land, which will be crucial for the upcoming planting season. This unconditional cash transfer has truly transformed our lives, providing us with a better home, education opportunities, and the means to provide for our basic needs.

My phone rang as I was unwinding at home. I asked my granddaughter, who was with me, to examine the sender and the contents of the message right away. She then informed me that the message was a Mpesa message confirming the receipt of a GiveDirectly transfer. My heart leapt with delight when I heard the news. I said a silent prayer of thanksgiving to God for the blessings that had just arrived.

I'm from an arid place with hot summers, especially during the day. There are numerous difficulties associated with living in a home with mud walls. One must first do thorough repairs on a regular basis. Snakes can easily build homes on the walls if this is not done properly. Small holes are a sign that snakes have already constructed their homes there, and this is typically dangerous. This is due to the fact that our young toddlers enjoy playing and sticking their hands—even tiny ones—into crevices. After receiving the transfer, I was able to construct an improved home with walls made of iron sheets. We currently enjoy our lives because we know that, at least when we are at home, we are safe.

With my recently received transfer, I spent KES 9100 to buy seven pieces of iron sheets. Since the house we were living in had mud walls, there were many risks associated with them; hence, I was able to use these materials to construct a more opulent one for my family. I am glad that this has eliminated the fear of being attacked by snakes since they love making their houses in the mud. In addition, I used KES 2000 to cover my granddaughter's tuition fee, with whom I normally stay during the school holidays. I was able to get some food and personal clothing using the remaining funds.