My priority is to support the education of my son Kazungu, who is currently in his second year of college. Even though he actively contributes to his school fees by taking on casual tasks during the holidays and weekends, I believe I can support him by making and burning charcoal. I would be relieved and happy if he completed his studies next year, having paid all his tuition money. 

Through the cash transfers, I built a spacious house and kept Kazungu in college. These accomplishments would have otherwise not been possible were it not for Give Directly. Hence, according to me, the act of giving money to needy people is the greatest to have ever been done by Give Directly. I would not say there is anything wrong with how the organization operates. 

Through the first transfer, I started building a new two-room house made of mud walls and a tin roof to accommodate my two grandchildren and me. The previous one-room structure that we occupied was becoming tiny, and there was a need for more space. So I directed $355 towards the completion of the house. Am glad that we recently moved into the new shelter, where there is plenty of space and most importantly privacy between my grandchildren and me. Also, since we had been sharing a bed, I spent $100 on a new bed and mattress for my grandchildren, for when they moved into their new room. I used $50 to clear a tuition balance for my son, who is currently in his second year of studies at college. This was a balance that had remained after I used part of the initial transfer to pay his fees. At least, this kept him in school and ensured that he took his end-of-year examinations without interruptions. I spent the remaining amount on a bale of maize flour as the household had run out of food. By that time my elder son, whom I mostly depend on, was yet to receive his monthly salary to buy more food. I was happy that not only did the cash transfer ensure that my family never went hungry, but it also relieved the burden on my son’s shoulders.  

I was in the bush looking after my animals when I received the message alerts about the transfer. I remember it was around 9 am when I received the messages. I had to continue grazing the goats until 11 am when I returned home for my helper to confirm my account balance because unable to read. I was overwhelmed with joy when I finally learned that I had received my transfer which would change our lives for the better.

The biggest difference is that I am living a hopeful life that I will finally be able to reside in a comfortable house once I complete the construction. In addition, my kid is learning well without any interruption after enrolling in a teaching college. I am very grateful for the aid.

For more than 5 years after my son completed his secondary education, I have not been able to further his studies something that disturbed me a lot. He was forced to engage in casual jobs to sustain himself. His dream of becoming a teacher was about to fail to be realized because of poverty. After receiving the transfer, I spent KES 20,000 to enroll him in a teaching college. Currently, he is happy that will be able to accomplish the dream of being a teacher. In addition, I bought building materials and I am intending to construct a spacious house for myself since the one I currently own is very small. Additionally, I am using it as a kitchen and bedroom at the same time. Most of the time my clothes are being destroyed by the frequent smoke from the fireplace.