Its my life's dream to open up a mini mart. A small place where I can call my own, sell cereals such as rice, beans etc. Not only would it be a way for us to have financial independence as a household, but it would also be the start of a business that I could grow to include my children one day.

The village I come from is filled with happy faces nowadays. Why you wonder? GiveDirectly. I am yet to see a programme, nor an organisation, that has transformed lives more than GiveDirectly has in my community. I would ask that they continue to be the light in so many of its recipients lives and that they consider increasing both frequency and amount of transfers ,both to new and past recipients.

The transfers from GiveDirectly were primarily used to build my 2 bedroom house, out of corrugated iron sheets. As a father of 10 and a farmer, along side my wife, the impact that these funds had on our life was phenomenal. I now have 30 goats, 5 of whom I purchased thanks to GiveDirectly cash transfers. I got 4 females and 1 male, in an attempt to grow my flock even father via breeding. My wife helps out with all the cattle, including the 12 cows she milks, and sells to the local shop as fresh produce. The cows, goats and 5 acre land, were far from adequate to educate, feed and house my family, needless to say, we were struggling before GiveDirectly came to our rescue. My eldest in form 2, needing KES. 10, 000 per term at Midoina Secondary School, my second and third born children tie in form 1 at Magogo Boys School and pay KES. 35,000 per term each, my fourth to eighth are in Midoina in Grades 6, 4, 3, PP1 & PP2 respectively and need. KES. 1,200 each for the first 3 and KES. 800 each for the later 2, with the youngest 2 are 2 years and 3 weeks, to cover tuition, we would have been unable to sustain our expenditure, seeing as even the maize we grow we have to use for sustenance, since money is so tight. Give Directly allowed us to hold our heads up high, plan and progress as a household. We are forever indebted.

I was in my house preparing to go to the nearby water pan to fetch water for the family. I remember it was around 6 am, I was with my husband the day I received the mpesa message from GiveDirectly. I was so happy about receiving the aid since I have never hold such a huge amount of money.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am currently spending the night on a comfortable bed after acquiring one with my transfer. I am currently enjoying my nights and waking up refreshed using modern beddings. This has improved my performance at work and very grateful for the transfer.

I spent KES 8000 of my transfer to purchase proper beddings for the family. Previously, we were spending our nights on the floor something that make my life miserable. I was constantly feeling backache. In addition, I spent KES 15000 to invest in goat rearing by purchasing 5 goats. I will be able to sell the offspring once they reproduce to cater for any financial crisis. I also used KES 13,000 to support my kid's education one in secondary and 8 others in primary school. The remaining amount assisted me in purchasing food and water since we are experiencing drought.