I am hoping to start up a business ( selling fresh tap water). I believe that once I will acquire enough cash to purchase all the needful materials for the connection and installation, my life will transform even better. First, the water will not only be for commercial purposes but also domestic usage. I have been trekking long distances to fetch water which has been tiring as well as affecting my spinal cord.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly does well by coming to our village and changing our living standards positively. The idea of offering us unconditional cash transfers was the best considering that people have different needs. This portrayed how mindful they were of its beneficiaries. I, therefore, do not see anything that needs to be acted upon even as they move to the other villages.

I spent around $150 of my second transfer on buying three goats that I am currently keeping on my homestead. I have desired to keep them for quite some time but I could not afford to purchase even one at my own cost because of the high poverty levels. I, however, resolved for them because according to me their gestation period is very short and their offsprings mature very fast. I am therefore hopeful that soon I will have many of them. I will be in a position to sell one or two in case I encounter any financial crisis. Additionally, I had to buy building materials like iron sheets, threads, and nails and the labour charges a total of $200. I had intended to renovate my house by putting up an additional room. Initially, I used to stay in a muddy single-roomed house which could hardly accommodate all my five children. As a widow who depended on casual jobs, it would take ages for me to do the renovations. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for transforming my home. Finally, with the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my family and other household needs that I was lacking.

While brushing my teeth in the morning, I heard a message tone from my phone which I had left in the house. My grandson who was in the house brought me the phone and I asked him to check what the message was all about since I do not know how to read. Upon checking, he confirmed to me that it was a message to inform me I had received KES 55000.00 from GiveDirectly.I was very excited and happy for receiving the money which I was eagerly waiting for.

The main difference that I can attest of the transfer which I received from GiveDirectly is that it enabled me to take a good rest from the hard times of making charcoals for sale. As of now, I am putting on some weight because I eat well and my mind is at peace not as before when I had to struggle in the sun for a whole day only to get an insufficient amount to cater for my daily food. I am very grateful for the organization.

When I withdrew the money, the first thing I did was do the shopping for foodstuff to ensure food security at my home because I have been a struggling widow since the time I lost my husband. For me to get some food, and other basic needs I had to dig some tree trumps to get some logs to make charcoals for sale. This was a tiresome job because of the old age I am in. Thereafter, I opted to renovate my house by adding a room since the house was too small, and congested to accommodate my family because I stay with my grandchildren who keep me accompanied. I bought 12 iron sheets for KES 13800.00 and bought 25 poles for KES 2500.00. I also bought another 12 iron sheets for KES 13800.00 to construct a kitchen because, during the rainy season, I get difficult moments on where to cook some food. For the remaining amount, I will pay the contractor and also buy more food for my family.