I am hoping to finally complete building my house. It has been a long journey, and while I have made significant progress, there is still quite a bit left to do. The main thing I need to focus on now is buying more bricks. Without them, I will not be able to finish the walls, and that’s the next big step. To make this happen, I am planning to take out a loan. I am a businesswoman, where I sell cabbages and potatoes, which has been going well, but it’s just not enough to cover the cost of all the materials I need right now. I need a bit of a financial boost to get things moving faster. Luckily, I have a good relationship with my SACCO, where I’ve been saving for a long time. They’ve really come through for me in the past. I remember when my children were still in school, and I needed help paying for their fees—SACCO was there. So, I trust them, and I know they’ll help me again this time. Once I get the loan, I’ll be able to buy the bricks and finally see the house take shape. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time, and I feel like this is the year it’s all going to come together.

When the GiveDirectly officers came to our village, I remember how friendly and approachable they were. They took their time to explain the entire program to us in a way that made everything clear. There was no room for confusion or doubt because they patiently answered all of our questions. I appreciated how they treated everyone equally, ensuring that no one was left out. As long as you lived within the village boundaries, you were included, no matter your background—there was no discrimination. Looking back, I can honestly say there is nothing I would change about the way the program was handled. From the moment they arrived to when we received the funds, everything was well-organized. The officers were clear and transparent, which built a lot of trust in the community. I can’t think of a single area where improvement is needed because everything was done so well. We were informed at every step, and it felt like we were all part of something positive and impactful.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy 30 bags of cement for $250 and a damp-proof membrane for $55. I also purchased building rods for $52 and a roll of wire for $32. My goal is to build a permanent brick house because the iron-sheet house I currently live in has been ruined by termites and floods. It’s no longer safe, so I’m determined to improve my living conditions step by step. To make sure the construction doesn’t stall, I took a loan to buy hardcore. Now, I’m waiting for the next transfer to continue with the structure. Meanwhile, I also invested $50 in my business, where I sell potatoes and cabbages. I’m hoping the profits will grow so I can pay the mason when the time comes to start building. I see the business as a key part of the plan—if it flourishes, it will help me complete the house faster. With the rest of the money, I bought food for the household. I wanted to make sure we have enough to eat while we focus on our work and daily struggles. Knowing that there’s food at home gives me peace of mind as I juggle the house project and running the business. This transfer has given me hope, and with careful planning, I believe I’ll finally achieve my dream of a stable home.

The money arrived on Sunday, and I had just come back from church. At first, I didn’t realize the money was from GiveDirectly; I thought someone might have sent me money by mistake. I was expecting a call from them to reverse the transaction, but no one contacted me. Later in the evening, I carefully checked the message and discovered that it was indeed from GiveDirectly. I was thrilled and filled with joy, so I called my children, who are far away, to tell them about the money I had received. I had initially planned to use the money to buy building stones to repair my cracked walls, but my children advised me to use it for purchasing chairs, mattresses, and utensils instead. They said that $200 would not be enough to complete the repairs on my house. They suggested that I use this money to buy chairs and other items for my home so that I won’t need to borrow them from neighbors when church visitors come. They assured me that when I receive the next $450, I can add it to what I’ve saved and then proceed with the repairs. So, I decided to follow their advice. Thank you so much for your support, it means a lot to me.

I am very confident and happy to host visitors at my home now, as I have enough accommodation, chairs, and utensils to serve them. It feels like a dream come true, thanks to the help from GiveDirectly. With the $450 that I am expecting, I will definitely be able to repair my house and live comfortably.

My husband passed away last year, but fortunately, my children were old enough to manage. I have four children: two are married, and the other two are in their final year at university. At home, I only have three grandchildren, all of whom are in boarding school and only come home during holidays. I try to cover their school fees and food with the income I earn from my grocery business in town.When I received the money, I used all of the $200 to purchase 14 plastic chairs, a mattress, and kitchen utensils. As someone who regularly hosts church visitors, I wanted to make sure I would never have to borrow chairs or sleeping arrangements. Thank you for your support—it truly makes a difference.