In the coming year and beyond, I hope to complete the payment of the piece of land that I bought with the transfers. Currently, I am not able to commence the construction since the seller demands full payment of the total land cost. Similarly, I would like to start buying the construction material while saving to clear the balance of the portion of land.

First, Givedirectly did well in enrolling our household into the program. Allowing us to make an individual decision on how to utilize the transfers was a great Idea. In addition, the fact that it does not affiliate with any political or religious entities thats could jeopardize the decision of who to be included in the program was the best thing. I feel that everything went on well and there is nothing that it should change in its processes.

I depend on temporary house construction as my reliable source of livelihood. Most of the time, I have been staying away from my wife and 9 children which have affected our bond. I had desired to purchase a plot of land closer to my place of work and relocate the family there. After receiving the transfers, I spent a larger part of it acquiring a piece of land that cost $1200 in total. I paid half the cost of the land with part of the first and the second transfer. Additionally, I spent the remaining amount to clear the fee arrears of our 7children who are both in the primary. secondary and college.

It was exactly 9 AM when I was at my neighbor's compound when I had a loud vibration from my phone. Without hesitating I decided to check who it could be and upon reading them, I realized that I had received my first KES 55000 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and I remember rushing to the Mpesa agent and withdrawing a portion of the cash so that I could buy foodstuffs for my kids. On the previous night, we had not taken any meal and this was like a miracle to us.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that my children are healthier and happier. Before the coming of GiveDirectly, life used to be very tough and considering that I have been the family breadwinner who solely relies on odd jobs. Most of the days, I could not earn even a cent and this could affect my entire family. Skipping meals used to be a routine for us and this affected my children health-wise in such a way that they were unable to go to school. As a parent, this has been stressing me for a long but then optimistic that God will see it through someday. I am now a happy dad because after receiving the cash, I purchased sufficient foodstuffs that will take us a month. My children have now been so active and energetic, that they no longer miss school like before due to hunger.

I spent part of my first transfer on buying a piece of land ( a half an acre) at KES 50000. I had been yearning to purchase it for so many years but I did not have enough cash to facilitate that. I however bought it because I intended to relocate from my initial home. I am so glad that my dream has finally come true courtesy of GiveDirectly. Finally, with the remaining KES 5000, I bought foodstuffs for my nine family members and other household items like utensils. We are so happy and thankful that we no longer skip meals like before. My children are now jovial and healthier which makes me stronger as their father.