I decided to begin a business in poultry farming at the beginning of the year. I knew a business would help me make money almost on a daily and I would not always rely solely on the funds from GiveDirectly. I bought hens and waited until they had chicks then I sell them after words. Good thing the business picked very fast and has been doing well. Just last month I sold about a dozen hens. Soon after receiving this money I added it as capital used KES 2,000 to purchase four hens and add them with the ones I already owned. There after I took the balance and used KES 300 to purchase six gallons of drinking water since it was scarce in my area. I also bought two packets of maize flour for KES 300 and I am still left with KES 400 which I plan to use when need arises.

I believe give directly is a blessing and has blessed us. I now have completed my house which I couldn't because of this transfers. I am also able to think about starting a business which is something I couldn't think about due to lack of resources. I do not see an area of improvement just giving thanks to the organization for the good work.

I am so thankful for givedirectly for so much. I had a construction project that had stalled for quite a while because of lack of finances. I used to sell charcoal from the trees I used to burn from my home and even got the trees from other homes but I had to stop the business as my health was compromised. I developed respiratory issues from imaging smoke from the burning charcoal which led to lung chest congestion and I closed my business from advice of my doctors. Before closing my business I had raised about 60,000 Kenya shillings over a period of time through table banking which I used to purchase biulding materials and paying for labour when I began construction of my house and the project stopped when I had no income hence couldn't afford the biulding expenses. I went back to subsistence farming which I still do for both profit and food. I had 26 pieces of roofing sheets placed already and I had a deficit of 2 pieces which I was able to buy for 2300 shillings from my first transfer then I used 1500 shillings from my second transfer to pay for labour for biulding the remaining part of the home. I was also able to celebrate my Christmas holiday as I spent 1000 shillings on purchasing food items for myself and my son whom we live with.

I received the text message that I had received the money from GiveDirectly at around 9 am. I was supervising the building process of my house at that time. When I received the money, I was happy since this was a significant boost for me. I went ahead, bought the iron sheets, and also ordered more water. Finding water in our area is challenging due to the drought situation at our site.

The money has made a big difference in my life in that I am now building my house. Having the house is a life-changing occurrence for me. I have always wanted to have a good home. I am thankful that soon I will sleep in a house and not be worried about my safety and my family.

I have for the longest time wanted to build a good house for myself, but due to the financial constraints I have ever been facing, that has not been possible. The place I am currently living in is in a deplorable state. One side of the wall has cracked and my house collapsing is a matter of when and not how. Before I got the money, I already had poles and a few iron sheets to build a new two-bedroomed house with a veranda. When I received the money, I bought two iron sheets worth KSH 2300 and spent the other amount purchasing some water used to mix up mud used to build the house.