My goal is to buy a piece of land because I have two male children. My husband has paid for my dowry, but we are still living in our home, which is on my in-law’s land. In the future, my sons have no right over this land, and hence in the next five years, the biggest accomplishment will have my piece of land that my two sons can inherit.

GiveDirectly has done well in enrolling our village, which has enabled my children to afford their education, among many other things. The support funds have ensured most of the families without homes have built their own homes. Our area had water issues caused by prolonged drought. The funds assisted many to come together as a community and have tap water installed in the compound from Kilifi town. Some built gutters and bought tanks in anticipation of collecting rainwater. I have seen nothing that the organization would do better, but would be grateful if they considered giving us more funds.

My husband is a turn boy in a company that transports sand in Kilifi town. We have three children together. I am unemployed and most of the time we depend on my husband whose source of income is not reliable. His work is seasonal and most of the time, he is not here with me and sends what he has earned every week. When the funds were sent, we discussed and improvised our home from a single-thatched house to a two-roomed house. The remaining amount took care of our food and cleared an outstanding school fee for my children. The second transfer of $150 bought a bed and a mattress, two bags of corn, which was $100, and $3 for transport of the same. I also gave my husband $100 to give to my in-laws as part of my dowry. I bought my children some clothes and two suitcases to store their new clothes for about $40. The remaining cash was what I used to buy other foodstuffs, washing detergents, and water. The money spent on the water was a lot because of the drought. It would cost me $4 in a day’s consumption.

I was very happy when I confirmed the receipt of my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was not expecting it at that moment, but it changed the mood in the household when I informed my family of the receipt. I also called my husband immediately who was out to his work in town and he promised to be home for further planning and initiation of the projects that we had.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the construction of a new house that has replaced the old one I had been living in. I am grateful and even though I have no furniture at the moment. I am hopeful that I will soon bring them in when I receive the second transfer.

We had been living with my family of five in a small grass-thatched house that we improved after getting the first transfer. With KES 36000, I purchased 25 iron sheets, building poles, nails, and other construction materials useful in the construction work. I am happy that the construction had been smooth and is in the final stages at the moment. So far I have paid the labor charges of KES 12000 to the constructor who is determined to complete the work soon. I also paid KES 2000 for my two kids in primary school and used the remaining amount on household goods that were missing.