Paying for my son's school fees was a big challenge for me. Being a single mother without a stable source of income, I never paid for their school fees on time and because of late payment, my children would be at times sent home and would stay for weeks. After receiving this money, I paid for all of them the fee arrears, One in college and in high school. I also bought a cow which I am expecting it reproduce and have many of them. Besides being my asset, I will be getting milk to sell to earn an income. This is will be a source of income for me. I believe if it wasn't GiveDirectly, then it would have taken me years to realise this.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly has just done well in improving our living standards because, before its coming, we could not afford to buy the things that we now own. Having iron-roofed and decent homes to live in, owning livestock as assets and taking our children to school was only a dream to us. I feel this is a major development as far as the money is concerned. I do not see anything that GiveDirectly does not do well.

The money gave me an opportunity that I have been craving for a long time. Raising school fees for my sons, one in high school and the other in college was a big challenge. Thus when I received my first transfer, I spent KES 22500 to pay for their school fees for them to comfortably continue with their studies without any interruptions. I am also spending this money to pay for my household expenses and also buying foodstuffs for my family and clothing. I am also planning to spend a portion of the remaining amount to buy a cow and new bedding which includes a bed at KES 5000 and a mattress at KES 6000.

Buying the cow is the biggest difference in my daily life. This is an asset that if at all I was to acquire it at my own cost, then it would have taken years since I only depend on casual jobs that normally pay very little. I know that through this cow, my life will change because first, I will be selling the milk that this cow will be producing. This money can help me cater for my household needs and even pay for my children fees. Apart from this, this cow will reproduce and increase in number. I will be able to sell the offspring to raise more cash in case an emergency arises.

I received my money early in that morning. I was very happy to receive the money since it would help me to change my life unlike before. I remember calling the organization thanking them for the money they had sent me. I even cancelled all the plans I had for that day. It was such a joyous moment.

I have two children in high school and in college. Raising enough money for their school fees is the biggest challenge. Being a single mother without a stable income makes life unbearable. Receiving this money to me was the biggest relief because I was able to set aside KES 10500 for my son who is in college and also KES 5000 for one in high school. I am now at peace seeing my children going to school without any interruptions. In addition to this, I spent KES 30000 to buy a cow which I am now rearing in my homestead. I expect it to reproduce with time. Besides, I will also be earning money by selling the milk that this cow will be producing. I spent the remaining amount to buy foodstuffs for my family and bedding worth KES 5000.