The transfer has enabled me to achieve many things that I would not have managed to buy at my own cost. Firstly, I now have livestock in my homestead, a pair of oxen which will help me to plough my farm on time and three goats. I am expecting my farming to change and have a good harvest unlike the other seasons when I was using hoes. I was also able to take my son to college which I would have been challenging considering my low financial status. Lastly, I was able to change my beddings by purchasing new beddings which include a new mattress and a new bed and replaced the old traditional bed and worn out mats that I have been using for years.

Before GiveDirectly came to us, our lives were lowly. We couldn't access to better shelter, raising fees for our children was a challenge to many of us. GiveDirectly has greatly uplifted our living standards because of the many achievements like owning livestock as assets to us, building new iron-roofed houses and our children are now comfortably in school. In my opinion, I feel GiveDirectly has done well on improving our living standards by giving us the unconditional transfers. I feel there is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.

I spent a larger portion of the second transfer to clear tuition fees for my child who was joining a college having completed his high school. I also did shopping for him so that his stay in college would be smooth. I also replaced my old bedding. I was sleeping on an old and worn out mattress thus on receiving this money, I bought a new bed and a mattress to sleep on. In addition to these, I also purchased three goats which I am currently rearing in my homestead. I spent the remaining amount to buy daily foodstuffs for my family and paying for some household expenses.

Having cleared school fees for my son has changed my life. Previously, my son used to be sent home now and then to collect school fees. Due to my poverty life, he could stay home for several weeks. My spouse is very old so I can not rely on him to assist me to meet some of these responsibilities. I had to strain to make sure my family gets food and also paying school fees for my son. This was so difficult, it reached a time my son wanted to drop out of school he was tired of being sent home and he felt embarrassed. But GiveDirectly saved this situation. They came just at the right time since it is the same week when he had decided to quit. After I received the money my priority was to pay his school fees. I have always wished to see my son getting a good education and pursue his career. I am certain he will have a bright future even though he won't inherit any asset from me. All in all, I am so thankful for this organization because it has saved me a great deal.

It was around 5 am when I was preparing to start doing my daily house chores when I heard my phone vibrating continuously. Upon checking, I realized it was mpesa message from GIvedirectly, they had debited my transfers as they had promised. I was very happy. I have never been that happy before. The message really made my day. I still remember that moment as if it was yesterday.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying building materials, I bought nails and a few pieces of iron sheets with the intention of renovating my house. My previous house was in bad condition such that we had to ask for shelter during winter due to the leaking roof. In addition to that, I bought a few goats. I then cleared school fees for my son who had finished his secondary education but couldn't take his certificate due to the huge fee balance. I then hired my neighbors to prepare my farm and also planted various crops. I spent the remaining amount of money to buy enough food and a few household items for my family