My life is different from how it was in that I sleep in a comfortable place after buying two mattresses using the transfer. I also live in a decent house. The best part of it is being able to boost my business once again with the remaining amount of money. I normally trade goats. Now that I managed to fix a steel door, I will no longer be worried of the security of my house anymore.

We were poor in deed. In my opinion, GiveDirectly made a good decision in giving us unconditional cash transfer which has changed our living standards. Most of us benefited. There is nothing that went wrong that I can point out.

I spent part of my transfer on purchasing two mattresses. My entire family used to sleep on mats. The main problem was the discomfort that we experienced every night but we had no option but to use the mats that were available. I appreciate the change that GiveDirectly brought us through the transfer because today we sleep soundly and comfortably after buying the mattresses. Besides buying mattresses, we also bought a steel door. We had a weak wooden door that could easily be opened by anyone. The steel door will improve security of our items. I finally saved the remaining amount of money with an intension of expanding my business. I normally buy livestock at a low price and sell them at a higher price in different markets. For some time now, the business has not been doing well. With the money, I am sure that the business will do well and in turn support my family.

Having my own descent house has transformed my life greatly and I feel it has brought the biggest difference in my daily life. This is because previously, I used to sleep under a small hut which was grass-thatched and leaking. In fact, it was like a traditional house because it had no rooms. I used to sleep with my whole family under the same house you can imagine the situation, there was no privacy, and according to our culture, it was not right to share the same house with your young ones who are no longer kinds. But then I had to option. The leaking roof was also stressful during the winter seasons. Because most of the neighbors were also poor with small houses we had nowhere to seek for shelter when it rains. We could stay awake until the rains stop. I feel there is a big relief now in my life because after constructing the new house spacious house, my children now have their own room where they are sleeping comfortably and to add on this there is privacy. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly Because I can now comfortably invite my relatives or even friends unlike before because of the condition of the house.

It was around 6 am when I had taken my goats to graze at a nearby bush then I heard my phone ringing. I continued with whatever I was doing then I went back home. Later I heard my neighbors celebrating that they had received their transfer. I became nervous and also checked my phone, upon checking I realized it was an mpesa message from GD, I had also received my first transfer from GD. I was so happy and up to date, I am still happy because this is like a miracle to me.

I spent part of my transfer to buying some building materials like iron sheets, building poles and some nails. This was purposely for the construction of a new house. My previous house was very small with some old grass-thatched roofing. I then bought three goats to keep them in my compound as my assets. I then expanded my business of buying and selling goats from the people in my village and selling them to our local market every Wednesday. Previously, I was running the business but then it was not doing so well since sometimes I was forced to use the capital and fulfill the family's basic needs. I also bought some enough foodstuffs for the family because we had not harvested buy then.