My new goal is to complete the payment of a plot of land that I bought earlier and still have a debt of KES 30,000 yet to complete. Furthermore, I am planning to construct a rental house on the plot once I got enough money.

Givedirectly did well for not associating with the government as well as sending cash directly to mobile phones of its beneficiaries. How they conducted their operations was well done and I do not see anything that did not go well.

I spent KES 10,000 of my transfer to support the education of my 5 children, one in secondary school while the others are in primary. They had huge balances since I have not been paying their fees because my business was at the edge of collapsing. In addition, I spent KES 25,000 to support the motorbike spare parts business that I had been doing. Presently, I am happy that it is picking up again with the help of the transfer. Lastly, I used the remaining about to renovate my small house which was collapsing by plastering it with cement.

I had just finished fixing a motorcycle when my phone rang loudly. Upon checking it out, I realized I had received my first transfer. I was thrilled and my face filled with a big smile. I quickly left for the Mpesa shop, withdrew the money, and bought more stock for my business.

Before receiving the transfer, my business was on a decline and this made me struggle to provide fully for my family. I could not pay school fees arrears for my son, who had finished his secondary education. The money from the transfer enabled me to pay off the debt, and this gave me peace of mind. I am happy that my son will proceed further with his education.  

I earn a living as a casual laborer repairing motorcycles. When the corona pandemic struck, I lost my source of income and as a result; I could not take care of all my family's needs (food, clothing, and paying school fees). When I received my transfer, I spent KES 14000 to add more stock to my business (motorcycle spare parts). Because of the new stock, my business increased. I attracted more customers. I spent much of the remaining amount on buying 10 bags of cement, 10 pieces of iron sheets, sand, and 1 kg of nails to renovate my house to look good and stop the roof from leaking. I then spent KES 10000 on buying a second-hand motorcycle for my eldest son so that he could work as a “boda boda” rider. Besides buying him the motorcycle, I spent KES 7000 to clear his school fee debt that he owed the school to enable him to get his certificates. Finally, I bought three mattresses for both my children and me. For the past 10 years, my children and I have slept on sisal mats which are very uncomfortable and lead to back pains.