While I am currently working as a motorcycle driver, I would like to start up a tailoring business for my wife since she is a qualified tailor. This will help substitute the family's income on days that my work is low.

GiveDirectly did an excellent job in our village, raising many poor families' living standards after they spent the transfers on their preferences. It was a fantastic job when we received a direct cash transfer that came directly into our accounts, making it easier for us to access and withdraw from the nearby mobile money shops. Everything was done so well that no one complained since the spending decisions were bestowed upon us, and they also did everything in accordance with our expectations right from the first meeting.

When I received the second transfer, my first priority was to spend some of it on buying trees in order to build a new house for my family of two. We are currently living in a small house with a separate kitchen that needs to be renovated as well since its roof is made of grass. I am relieved that all of the preparations are finished, and I am looking forward to have the house construction completed and my family getting in. This costed me $400 to have the house stand up. The remaining $130, I used to buy enough food stuff to last us about one month and some missing furniture for the house.

I was from taking a shower at exactly 7 PM when I noticed that there was a new message on my mobile phone. Upon checking, I confirmed that it was an Mpesa message from Segovia Technology. I had, at last, received my first cash as promised some weeks back. I was overwhelmed with happiness and thanked God for remembering my family and I during these tough times in our lives.

The biggest difference in my daily is that I now have a rental house and goats that I can consider my assets. These have been the long-term investment that I have been willing to have but because of financial hardships, I couldn't afford either of them. I have been relying on the motorbike business which was not lucrative and fending for my four family members has been a struggle. My wife has been jobless for the last three years and I had to pick up all the responsibilities. My children had to miss attending classes because of the accumulated fees and skip meals almost every day. They were even malnutrition which led them to be in and out of the hospital. I am so grateful that for now once the house is completed, I will start collecting rent which will be an additional income. I trust that I will be able to take good care of my first with ease and I will no longer have to borrow loans from fronds like I used to do.

I spent KES 42000 of my first cash transfer to buy building materials which include; iron sheets, building poles, nails, and timber. This was intentionally for the construction of a rental house in the town centre. I already acquired the piece of land but I did not have sufficient cash to buy the materials. I am therefore grateful for achieving my goal and I trust that through this project, I will no longer strain to meet my daily needs. Also, I bought three goats at a total of KES 6000. I am hopeful that once they reproduce and increase in number, I will be in a position to sell one or two and sort out any emergency that arises. With the remaining amount of money, I have been buying food for my family which is comprised of four members.