Currently, my primary goal is to complete the construction of my house. It has been damaged for the past year, and I fear that it may completely collapse from the ongoing rains. Building a new structure is the only thing that is on my mind right now. I would be happy if I built a shelter with at least two rooms, that are made of mud walls and a tin roof. Once this objective is achieved, I can consider pursuing other endeavors. However, building the house is my current focus, and it occupies my thoughts more than anything else.

I have been purchasing iron sheets every month intending to construct a new house. My current house is in a poor state, and it causes suffering whenever it rains. The water that leaks in dampens the space exposing my family to cold infections. I aim to accumulate a total of 20 iron sheets to build a two-room house. From the recent transfer, I spent $30 to acquire three iron sheets, utilizing the remaining funds for food expenses. My husband primarily relies on casual labor in house construction, but these job opportunities are infrequent. In the past, I used to sell palm wine as an additional source of income. However, I had to discontinue this activity in February due to the need to care for my ailing child. Right now, the cash transfers are a crucial source of income to my household and I pray that they continue coming every month. 

I want to devote all of my time and resources to acquiring the necessary building supplies and starting the house's construction this year. My problems will subside and my life will become much simpler once I move into the new house. The house will enhance my children's living circumstances because the nighttime cold has harmed them.

My grass-thatched, one-room home is in terrible shape. Every time it rains, the numerous openings in the roof are a major annoyance. The house becomes infiltrated by the rainwater. The mud walls have numerous large openings and cracks that allow both hot and cold air to enter making it uncomfortable to live inside the house. Since enrolling in the program, my objective has been to construct a quality home for my family (husband, two children, and me). I've bought a total of seven pieces of iron sheeting since joining the program. Up until I have the required quantity to finish the house, I intend to keep buying more pieces. My transfers for January were no different, as I shelled out $30 to buy three more sheets of iron sheeting. I then used the final $4 to buy two packets of maize flour. I try to support my family by selling local palm wine, but the business is not doing well. The most severely impacted person is my husband, a casual worker who sometimes goes an entire week without finding work. I am very appreciative of the financial support I am receiving from the transfers as I work to improve my life's situation.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly did well first in coming up with the cash transfer program. Visiting the less privileged people and enrolling them into the program without any discrimination is what they are doing well. Lastly, giving cash aid is the best decision that the organization did. I just wish it to continue assisting the poor people and extend its support to reach many people living in poverty.

I spent my recent transfer to purchase 3 iron sheets. This was for the construction of a decent house for myself, the house that I own at the moment is old, mud-walled, grass-thatched which is leaking. Moreover, it is about to collapse something that poses a great risk for my family members. I am constantly worried that it may fall down anytime rendering us homeless. My goal is to construct a two-roomed, mud-walled iron-roofed one for the family. The plan is to slowly purchase the required building materials using the transfers that I am receiving from GiveDirectly. The six iron sheets that I have bought since I started receiving the transfer give me the hope that I will at long last achieve my desire of owning a better shelter.

At around 4 p.m., I received a message alert on my phone while I was relaxing at my compound. Since I cannot read, I asked my phone to check the contents of the message. I could not hide my excitement when he confirmed that Give Directly had sent the promised cash; I danced with joy.

The greatest difference brought by the cash transfer is my ability to finally assemble materials for a new house. For long, my family was sheltering under a structure with a leaking grass thatched house. Building a new house was challenging because I lacked the means to finance the construction exercise. Gladly, Give Directly is making this dream a reality. I bought two iron sheets with the money and the goal is to accumulate at least twenty before contracting a builder to take on the exercise.

My palm wine selling business has not been picking well during this drought season since the palm trees are drying up. I make so little profits that can barely put food on the table for a family of seven people. So, the moment I received the cash transfer from Give Directly, I channeled KES 650 towards maize flour because the household had run out of food. I spent KES 2,000 on two pieces of iron sheets for a new house. My current house is in poor condition. The grass-thatched roof that has decayed over time, lets in rainwater which dampens the mud floor. I intend to assemble around 20 pieces of iron sheets before constructing the new two-room house to accommodate my family. I used the remaining amount to buy a chicken. The goal is to start rearing again after my chickens perished following a contagious disease that spread across the flock.