I am grateful to have finally gotten a specialized treatment that has saved me a lot of time I would be spending in hospitals since I am no longer making frequent visits. After the correct diagnosis, I was given the right medication, and it is only on booked visits that I can see the doctor. It is a good feeling that I am no longer experiencing complications like before. Without the great aid from GiveDirectly, this would not have been possible as I needed enough money to afford the best treatment.

In my opinion, the decision by GiveDirectly to enroll every household in the village without any bias and giving out an equal amount to bank on the self-generated ideas was a great consideration. Everyone is happy and confident currently that their points of investment were worth their varied needs. The enrollment was so fast, and we never waited any longer before receiving the first transfer in our accounts. This is one project that has brought a great transformation in the village. Not even those who were left out could complain since the officers who came were open and ready to explain every reason behind leaving some households. It was my wish that the few households that were promised to be revisited after enrollment could soon be visited as they are still looking forward to receiving their first transfer.

Having a large family of six has been quite challenging meeting the financial obligations of every household member. All the four children are currently in school with the elder one taking a course in driving and mechanics, while the other three are still in secondary school. On receiving the first transfer, I decided to pay KES18000 for the elder son pursuing a driving course and also KES6000 for the other son in secondary school. I am glad that they are currently enjoying ample reading time without being sent home to collect their school fees like in the previous months. With the remaining amount, I added the foodstuff worth KES5000 to our store that will keep us going as we work hard to obtain more from the farm. I also dedicated KES10000 to seeking medical attention as I had been unwell and frequently visiting various hospitals for quite some time. I managed to get an X-ray examination and obtained medication that is so far allowed me to resume my casual chores and drastically reduced the visits to the hospital. Because all the children are actively studying and will always require school fees, I invested the remaining KES9000 on two goats that I am currently keeping in my field. The two will later be of great help in case of an emergency or any difficulty in raising full school fees for my sons.

Receiving the transfer came to me with hope. I was so happy as this had been the only hope I had to bring back the good health I used to enjoy. I was the happiest at the moment as deep inside me, I knew how lucky I would be to finally see a specialist.

Seeing everything set and working well in my household is the biggest difference in my daily life after receiving the transfer. Before, I used to toil all day in the nearby quarry which was full of dust that would trigger the continuous coughs whenever it got into my throat. This was negatively affecting my health and had been praying for a way out of it. I am glad that I can now afford a rest as I am no longer dependent on quarrying.

Having been struggling with the epiglottis overgrowth problem that had been blocking my windpipe, I had been hoping for a solution as it has been causing continuous coughs and rendering me sleepless most nights. Receiving the money was an opportunity for me to seek good medical attention. I got an appointment for an operation to rectify the problem in Mid-July after the consultation which cost me 5000KES. I then spent 12000KES on clothing for my children who needed both new uniforms and the casual that they are wearing while back home. I also invested in a solar panel and a wet-cell battery that we are currently using in lighting after using the kerosene lamp which has not been good for my children while reading over a long period of time. I also paid 5000KES for their school fees and the remaining amount on obtaining a new piece of furniture.