I am an elderly man and getting employed has been challenging. My long-term goal is to rear livestock and sell them at the market for a profit so that I can sustain my family's needs.

GiveDirectlyg gives us unconditional money that we can use without anyone directing us. And even after the transfer they call us and ask if we have received the money. It shows that they care for us.

I brew traditional alcohol and sell it in jerricans but during this drought season, it has been difficult to find coconut trees thus making me out of a job. This job would give me $5 a day that I mostly spend on food and the remaining to save up and pay school fees for my eight children. During this drought season, I could not afford to pay for school fees and It had accumulated to $125. My house was leaking at the roof which made my children sick all the time. This transfer has enabled me to buy new iron sheets for $30, pay school fees arrears, and bought food for my family.

It was around 8:30 AM I was from taking breakfast when I saw a message notification on my mobile phone. Since I am illiterate, I requested help from my son who was right beside me. Upon reading, he confirmed that it was an Mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I had finally received the cash transfer that I had anxiously been waiting for. I could not hold not my joy because I knew that all my troubles would come to an end. I remember we even held a special prayer on the same.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a decent house. For the past twenty years, I have been living a stressful and sorrowful life. I used to sleep in a very small house which was in a very poor state with an old roof and holes all over. One could see what was happening from the outside which was so embarrassing. Again, because I am the breadwinner who solely depended on the odd jobs my goal of owning a decent house seems not to be achievable anytime soon. The relatives were also tired of hosting us now and then, especially during the rainy seasons and this would be seen on their faces. I am now hopeful in life becasue my dream has finally come true. We no longer have to worry about the harsh weather and the sarcastic remarks from our relatives like before. May God however bless the organization as they bless and transform others in the society.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying twenty pieces of iron sheets at KES 19000, building poles at KES 3750, and the labor costs of KES 5000. I had intended to construct a new house because the initial one was almost collapsing beside it was small in size. My children were always stressed especially at night because they had to seek shelter from their friends. Also, I paid fees and bought all the necessary materials for my son to join secondary school. I am so glad that he was able to join the school in time courtesy of GiveDirecty because if it were not for them, he would still be at home. With the remaining amount of money, I bought foodstuffs for my seven family members and I am so happy that for the past three weeks we have not skipped meals like before.