When I first received the cash transfers, I spent most of it on building a concrete pillar around the walls of my house to reinforce it. However, due to pressing financial obligations like food, I was not able to channel every amount toward the renovation of the structure, which left one side of the wall unattended. My prayer is to conclude this project withing the next year so that I can start looking at other things like securing goats and more chickens for rearing. 

Due to the drought that has impaired crop farming in my region, I am forced to buy food and water, which is becoming expensive as commodity prices are rising. My job of weaving mats and baskets is also affected as the materials, such as palm leaves dried out from lack of rain. To be honest, if it were not for the cash transfers, I would have been malnourished from hunger;  am relieved that Give Directly brought the financial aid. When I received the recent cash transfers, my household had run out of food for the previous day, and I spent $28 on buying maize flour and water. Although the food did not serve my family until the end of the month, am glad that we enjoyed regular meals for the first few days. I used the remaining $6 to buy two chickens for rearing. As these chickens breed, I can easily sell them to purchase food and ensure that my family enjoys regular meals. 

For the longest time I've really wanted to renovate my house especially the foundation and the pillars since it is a mud house and the foundation is not quite great after it was swept away with rain. Therefore upon receiving the transaction I paid KES 700 to a mason for him to start fixing up my house gradually. I then proceeded to use the balance of KES 2,300 in ensuring that I looked into nourishment for my family and I since it was quite a challenge with the ongoing drought. I ended up acquiring five packets of maize flour, a kilogram of beans and sugar respectively, groceries and lastly drinking water because it was scarce and another problem.

I spent all the KES 3000 from my transfer to buy a wooden door for my house. The previous door in my house was made of iron sheets and had gigantic holes. I always feared someone would break into my house and steal my property because of the weak door. Fixing the wooden door has reinforced the security, and I feel safe living in the house.

GiveDirectly does well in upgrading people's livelihoods through the monthly payments. My life has changed for the better as a result of GiveDirectly transfers; I no longer worry about hunger. Everyone in my village is praising the organization for positively impacting their financial lives. There is nothing that GiveDirectly does not do well.

I spent most of my transfer on purchasing food for the family, clothes, livestock, and paying hospital bill. Specifically, I used KES 840 on seven packets of maize flour, KES 300 on two packets of wheat flour, KES 140 on a kilo of sugar, and KES 50 for tea leaves. Additionally, I acquired two pieces of clothes at KES 330, two chicken at KES 1000, and settled my hospital bill of KES 650.

I was sitting under the tree in front of my house weaving a basket for sale. I heard my phone ring out loudly. It attracted my attention, and I immediately picked the phone and after checking I realized I had received a text message. I could not read the content and had to call my grandson, who was about to go back to school for his afternoon classes to help me out. He then informed me I had received my first transfer. The news thrilled me and later that evening; I sent my grandson to withdraw the money and buy the food.

The money has made a big difference in my life. I have been wearing the same pair of shoes for the past six months. Because of my financial status, I could not buy myself a new pair. I spent the little I earned on food. That is how hard my life was, but I am now thankful that the transfer has made a big difference.

When I received my first transfer of KSH 1200, I spent half of it to buy food. Being the sole bread winner in my family it has been tough for me to be able to provide for the family. Before we started experiencing the drought in our area, I harvested the maize and cassava that I grew and used some for food at home and sold some to earn money. Life was bearable at that time and we could afford to have three meals per day. It is very hard for me to be able to do so currently as the farm is unproductive. I have had to do manual jobs which are not on a daily basis with a pay of KSH 200 – 300 per day. The money is just enough to budget for one or two meals. Due to these financial struggles that I am experiencing I decided to spend the biggest part of the transfer to buy food. In addition to the food I spent KSH 300 to buy a chicken. The main reason for buying the chicken was to ensure that I had chicken of my own. Previously my relatives would come to visit me and I would not have anything to offer them as a welcome gesture. This is the situation that drove my desire to buy and own the poultry. My plan is to buy more chicken and rear them sell some and also gift relatives who visit me at home. Besides buying the food and chicken I bought myself a new pair of shoes. The ones I had were worn out and badly torn.