I am disappointed that some of my goats were stolen and the ones that remained died because of drought. I still have a goal of opening a vegetable stall and selling vegetables for a living. I planned to sell two big goats for $50 each and build the stall. I am going to work hard and save as much as I can and start my business, which is the only way to support my family.

The transfers have brought a big difference in my life. I have lived with frustrations on how to support my family. My family used to live in a thatched house that was almost collapsing, but the funds have improved my living standard and I could build a one-roomed house. Most of my neighbors have improved to build modern homes and bought livestock, which is quite an improvement. I would request that GiveDirectly is doing a good job and my wish would be that they would consider giving us more funds.

Being a single mother of two has been a big challenge for me because it comes with a lot of responsibilities. As I moved back home, had to work as a charcoal burner to feed and educate my children. The instability of my finances is my biggest problem. When I got enrolled, I was living in a small single mud house with a broken door and collapsing wall, which forced me to use old rugs to cover the holes and support the house because I could not repair or build a better house. When I received the funds, part of the money bought building materials, and the little that remained like $100 paid my children’s school fees and bought food. I used my second transfer of $90 for my son’s treatment of a dog bite, which was severe and risky. I am grateful that the money came in time and at the moment he is fully recovered. I built one room with a verandah and had to part with $140 for the contractor. The remaining $330 bought nine goats which would come in handy in future hard economic times. Receiving money from GiveDirectly has been a blessing in my life, thus I am grateful.

It was early in the morning while I was in my way home from fetching some water, when I received a call from my mother telling me to check on my phone. Upon checking I saw a messaged from GiveDirectly stating that I had received KES 55000.00. I was engulfed with happiness and prayed a thankfully inside me for receiving the promised transfer.

Initially, I was sleeping at a pathetic environment. This is after the collapsing of my house and I had no means of either building a shade or constructing a new house. I am thankful for GiveDirectly because through the transfer my living condition changed to better. I now have a house and this is because of GiveDirectly.

Before receiving the money, I had already listed the plans to accomplish. Upon withdrawing the money, the plan was to construct a house because the one I had had collapse. Considering that, I bought the construction materials such as poles, rafters, iron sheets and nails. I consulted the contractor who came and build it. Thereafter, I used KES 9000.00 of the remaining amount for medication after my son got an accident and used the rest in buying food for the family.