My biggest difference in my life is that now I have a home. I am glad that I was able to purchase a small piece of land and construct two houses which I couldn't afford to build on my own. Now I have my own compound and thanks to GiveDirectly for bringing me on my foot once again after our houses were burnt down during eviction from Mau Forest .

To me, GiveDirectly did very well by giving us lump sum amount. This has enabled us to change our lives tremendously. I don't see what GiveDirectly never did right. The work was so perfect.

I am single mother and a victim of Mau Forest evictees. For the last two years I have been living on a piece of land where on of my relative had offered us to put up for sometime. After I received my first transfers, I acquired a small portion of land and since the money wasn't enough to build a house I had to wait for the second transfers. Upon receiving my second transfers, I spent 30000 on building a two room house and a kitchen on my piece of land. I am glad that I have a place where to call home. The remaining portion, I spent KES 15000 on buying a heifer for rearing and the rest KES 10000 on buying food and clothes for my children.

I was at the farm weeding maize with one of my friends when the M-Pesa SMS got into my phone. I did not hear my phone alerting me of the SMS since I was busy with the farm work. The lady friend that I was with had already seen it and she informed me of the good news that she had received. She then asked me if I had received the same and I hence decided to check my phone. I was so happy to see the message saying that I had received the first transfer of 55000/= just as promised. We were filled with lots of joy and we quickly finished up the work that we were doing and we went to prepare ourselves so that we can go withdraw the money.

The transfer has brought a big difference in my life and that of my family. I have been able to buy the piece of land that I have always desired. I have started tilling part of the land and I have grown some vegetables. I plan to build a house when I get the money. This way, I will be able to permanently relocate with my children and we can live happily together. Having paid school fees and bought uniforms for my children, I no longer have the stress about where I am going to get the money to do so. I now feel happy and my children are happy too after they got new school uniforms. The transfer also enabled me to buy some food that we are currently consuming. I will hence not be having any worries about food for quite some time. I appreciate GiveDirectly for making my dreams come true. May God bless you.

The transfer from GiveDirectly has helped me in a big way that I have never imagined. I was able to buy a piece of land that is 0.1 acres. I also bought a calf, bought school uniforms for my children, and paid for their school fees. With the remaining amount of money, I used it in buying food for my family. I have been living with my children in my uncle’s place for a while. Things have hence not been easy because I have to take care of all the children including my uncle’s. This has been hectic especially at this time when schools have re-open and I have to wake up very early to prepare them before they head to school. I have hence always had that desire to buy a piece of land of my own so that I can have my place to live in and take care of my children. I have however not been able to do so because I did not have such a large sum of money. I have a small business selling maize and the money that I make from this business has only been enough for me to buy food and pay a little bit for the children’s school fees. I also bought a calf because I wanted something that will help me in the future. This calf will grow and I can sell it and use the money to buy another cow that I can milk.