After the second transfer, I developed some goals that, if I get some money I will invest in my children education since education is the best inheritance I can give to my children. Despite that my wife and I did not get the privilege to go to school, it’s my prayer and vision to see my children doing well in education.

GiveDirectly is a unique organization that I have ever seen since birth. Giving cash transfers to people without restrictions was the best thing ever which made people to think of the things they wanted most and handled them thus making their lives comfortable. The point which I feel the organization should look at is to increase the amount if possible. I am saying so because it is a bit difficult for a household that was living below the poverty line to make an impact or to do something tangible with the transfer apart from just buying some food and small things which are necessary but they won’t last to assist them.

After getting the second transfer, I settled some school fees arrears which my children had. I have one child in secondary school, 3 in upper primary and 3 in lower primary school. For the secondary school child there was an arrear of KES 4000.00, while for the upper and lower primary I can’t recall till I confirm from the receipts. These arrears came as a result of lacking stable and reliable source of income; I solely depended on making and selling charcoal which has very little and sometimes no profit at all. Having paid the arrears, I started buying some food for the family and grasses for my livestock because it was very dry and livestock were dying of starvation.

It was 9 a.m and I was at home preparing to go to the market. When I heard a message notification come in, I decided to check my phone. I couldn't believe it when I saw that I had received the KES 55,000 I had been promised by GiveDirectly. It felt so good to receive such a huge amount of money because my job is so strenuous yet the earnings are so little.

Since receiving this transfer, I can provide the basic needs of food, clothing and education for my family. This is a sharp contrast from our reality a few weeks ago. I sell charcoal to make a living. Sadly, the earnings from this are KES 700 only, when I'm able to make a sale. This amount is too little to sustain us, especially since my family consists of eleven of us. This transfer, however, has changed everything for us. The money has enabled us to stock on enough foodstuff for the household. We can now afford to have three meals a day, as opposed to just one. My children's school expenses have been paid for and they can stay in school and learn. We have also acquired ten goats which we can sell whenever we need money. I'm so grateful for this blessing.

Food insecurity has plagued my family for years. I depend on selling charcoal to earn a living. I, however, earn KES 700 only, on the days when I'm able to make a sale. This amount is too little to cater for the basic needs of my family of eleven. So I spent KES 12,300 on buying foodstuff including maize, beans, rice and sugar. I'm glad that we have enough food for the household. I also spent KES 3,500 on buying a new mattress. The one we had was old and in tatters. I then bought textbooks for seven of my children at KES 750 each. Lastly, I spent KES 30,000 on the acquisition of ten goats. I hope to sell these whenever any financial emergencies arise.