How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
Before my time comes, I would love to build a 4 bedroom house for me and my family. Alongside this, as I'm sure its every parents dream, I would love nothing more than to ensure I raise my kids to have a better life than that me and their father have led.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
GiveDirectly excels at sniffing out those who truly need these transfers and making sure that it bridges the gap between themselves and their goals. I have no fault or criticism, but just to GiveDirectly continue to be a blessing and inspiration to others and to possibly revisit past recipients again to partner with them.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I run a small posho mill, where I grind maize into maize meal. The funds allowed me to buy diesel for my mill, as well as a whole sack of maize to grind and turn into flour. The 10 litres of diesel retailed at KES. 160 per litre, which I got in town when I had gone to also purchase 12 iron sheets for construction. While my husband drives a matatu in Mombasa, I run the mill, selling the floor at KES. 5, per kg, and between us, we try our best to provide for our 7 kids. The balance of the funds went towards school fees. I cleared a debt of KES. 20,000, and allocated what little was left to the rest of the tuition fees. My eldest is in Meru University and commands KES. 31,000 every semester, my second born is in form one and needs KES. 22,000 every term for his schooling in Kilifi, my third born in Class 8 at Mulungu wa Mawe Primary also needs KES. 300 per month for tuition , my 4th in Class 7 and my 5th in nursery, while my 6th is also in nursery, all three of whom are also attending Mulungu Primary, and command KES. 300, a piece for tuition, per month, while our only reprieve is my 7th born who is 2 years old. Needless to say, had it not been for GiveDirectly, we would have taken years to make the strides we made in months as a family