Through the transfers, Give Directly works well in assisting us in putting food on the table. With hunger being our main hardship, the organization plays a critical role in eradicating it, for which I am immensely thankful. I would suggest Give Directly continue keeping its promise of sending funds every month.

Every day, I wake up tired and sore from sleeping on a sisal-twined bed with sacks as beddings. My ambition was to one day own a comfortable mattress on which to sleep. This was realized when I used KES 2500 to purchase a medium-sized mattress. At least, I enjoy my nights of sleep and no longer wake up with fatigue. In addition, being the primary provider, my son had not been able to raise money for the food that day. Working as a conductor, his earnings are highly variable, and he may make nothing at times. On days like these, we go to bed hungry. As a result, I used the remainder of the funds to purchase food. I am grateful because our household has never gone hungry; we eat breakfast, lunch, and dinner.

The minute I received the money I thought to myself what would be the most appropriate way for me to spend the transfers. I did not want to spend the money on something easily perishable and an investment seemed rather appealing to me. So after I received my money I decided to add more livestock to the ones that I previously owned so that I could expand the amount of livestock I had. The whole idea of expounding on the amount of animals I kept was so that I could breed them and after they produced I could benefit commercially since back here in the village livestock was always marketable. This in turn would help me cater for my needs. I therefore went and bought one goat for KES 1,000. Then used the balance that I was left with to acquire a packet of maize flour for KES 125 and beans worth KES 45. Food was always a necessity especially with the famine that was on going.

The funds gave me back a sense of dependency which makes me feel very happy and content about. I can now plan on projects I want to engage in and not be scared that lack of funds will hold me back. It is definitely a good feeling. I feel elevated financially and I too can look after my own needs without relying on other people.

When I received the message I clearly heard a notification on my phone but considering that I could not read, I handed the phone over to my nephew who confirmed that I had received the cash transfers from GiveDirectly and I got so jolly from all the excitement that the organization had actually kept their word. Who would have thought? Well I certainly did not but I am glad they kept to their word.