It was around 6pm in the evening and I was just at home going about my daily household activities when I checked my phone and saw the text message confirming that I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I felt so happy when I received the money because I had lots of plans that I had desired to undertake but didn't have the money to facilitate them. This was due to the fact that my job as an occasional housemaid had low income and at times there used to be conflicts before I receive my wages which sometimes could delay to the point that I would just have to forget about it. I had desired to have my house repaired and get a few household items which would make my life better, therefore, I was so happy when I received the money from GiveDirectly because I was able to get that done.

The biggest difference in my daily life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is that everything has changed. I used to have a small scale fast food catering business before but had to close it down due to insufficient funds to even sustain it. However, with the coming of GiveDirectly to our village and getting me to be enrolled, I was able to restart my business and all I see now is progress without any fear of it stalling because I was able to address most of the issues that could make it stall. These issues are mostly my family's daily immediate needs, especially food and school fees for my children which I was able to substantially address, all thanks to GiveDirectly.

I spent most of the transfer which was KES 10000 on repairing my house because it was in a very poor state and condition and it was almost collapsing. This was because its mud walls had grown so old, and that used to pose safety risks because in the event that they could collapse, then that could be so disastrous. We would spend the whole night awake when it rains, because it used to literally rain inside the house and at times rain water would find its way into the house through some holes in the walls. It was very difficult for me to address this issue because my occasional jobs as a housemaid hardly raised enough money and at times there could be conflicts that would consequently lead to a delay in getting my wages as well as the delay could go on for so long that I would just be forced to forget about it. That used to make me fee so sad and dejected. However, ever since I received the money from GiveDirectly, I am now so happy that I was able to repair my house and I am now having a better and comfortable place to sleep. We are no longer worried about where to sleep when it rains at night and rain water cannot find its way into the house anymore to make the logs rot and weaken the walls. I am so happy and grateful.