I woke up that morning and realized my phone had run out of charge, so I plugged it in and switched it on around 9 a.m. That’s when I saw the message—money from GiveDirectly had been sent! I couldn’t believe it; I was so happy. The first thing I did was try to call my wife to share the news, but her phone was off, so I had to wait until I got home. When I finally told her, she lit up with joy. We had already discussed how we’d use any money that came our way—paying the children’s school fees and buying enough food for the house. This was going to make a real difference for us.

When we received the cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest change we noticed was the peace that came into our home. Before, it was a constant struggle—some days we had to skip meals, and it hurt to see the kids go without basic things like decent clothes. My wife especially took it hard; she felt like she wasn’t fulfilling her role as a mother, and that frustration would sometimes boil over into arguments between us. But now, with enough food and the children well-dressed, we’re all more at ease. You can see it in the kids—they’re happier, and it brings us joy just seeing them like that. Our relationship as a couple has also improved a lot. Back then, every small problem felt bigger because of the stress we were under. My wife and I would argue about things we couldn’t control, like what to eat or how to pay for school supplies. Now that those worries are behind us, we argue less. We laugh more, spend more time together, and support each other in ways we couldn’t before.

When I received the cash, the first thing I did was spend $56 on a bag of maize and other household food items. We needed to be food secure because my salary often comes late, and I didn’t want us to struggle with hunger again. After that, I used $65 to buy a bigger chicken coop since the old one had become too cramped for the 30 chickens we have. This new coop can fit up to 50 chickens, so it gives them more space and room to grow. I also bought a small mattress for $30 so my wife and the baby could sleep comfortably. With a new baby in the house, it’s better if they have their own bed, while I sleep on the other bed with the older children. I wanted to make everyone happy, so I used another $30 to buy clothes for my wife and the kids. Their clothes were worn out, and seeing them smile in new outfits gave me joy. I didn’t forget my brother in college—he had told me he needed money for food, so I sent him $10 for upkeep. Additionally, I spent $7 on medicine for my goats and chickens to ensure they stay healthy since they’re important to our livelihood. The remaining amount, I’ve set aside for food or any emergencies that might come up later. This way, I feel more prepared to face whatever comes next.