I plan to do an investment. After doing some study, I decided to open a grocery store because, as a result of the protracted drought, veggies are hard to come by in our village. Since people go a distance in quest of vegetables, I am confident that doing this would result in strong sales. I'll be able to provide for my family's necessities thanks to this enterprise. I aim to start a vegetable garden close to my house in addition to purchasing and selling veggies because there is access to swamp water nearby that I hope to use for irrigation. As a result, buying veggies for sale will be less expensive.

GiveDirectly, in my opinion, empowers people's lives. It strives to provide people with the financial means to help them escape poverty. If I may be more precise, the organization made it possible for me to pay my three children's school costs without the hardship I used to experience. I am pleased and appreciative of GiveDirectly, and I would recommend that when it expands to other regions, the other villagers be made aware of its benefits in the same way that we were.

When I got the second transfer, priority went to my three children who are in school. Two are in secondary school while one is in primary school. Though they had not been sent home for fees, I opted to use $200 for their school fees. I did so because I was not feeling well and I knew I would use the cash for medication and thereafter my children will be stranded. That is why I opted to pay the fees to be carried forward since I felt I may use the money on other this which crop up on daily basis. I also renovated my house because it was leaking during the rainy season. Therefore, I bought 60 poles for $30, and rafters for $50. Currently, the house looks nice after the renovation. I am happy since I sleep in a nice secure place unlike before. I also bought two goats for $70. These goats will serve as a live GiveDirectly remembrance at my home. For the remaining amount, I bought some food for my family because hunger had prevailed in our area.

It was around 10 PM when I had retired to bed when I heard a notification message from my mobile phone. I decided to check where the message was coming from. I was so glad to learn that my first cash transfer had been sent. This for sure made my night and I could barely sleep.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I was able to pay fees for my three children. I was so stressed and worried because I have been trying all I could to get the needed fees but in vain. Therefore my children were forced to stay home for almost a month. As a result, there was a high risk of them missing the end-of-semester exam. I even tried to hold fundraising but my neighbours did not show up since they were experiencing the same financial hiccup. I however did not lose hope since I was sure God will see us through. My spouse and I have been depending on the charcoal and palm wine business which was a seasonal one hence providing the daily bread for our five kids was sometimes difficult. Therefore, after receiving the cash, I had to prioritise the school fees issue and all my children are now in school. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for this great support and may God bless them as they bless others.

I spent part of my first cash transfer to pay fees of KES 20000 for my four children who are in primary and secondary schools. I am so happy that they were able to sit for the exams with the rest. Also, I purchased twenty pieces of iron sheets at KES 20900 and building poles at KES 4000. This was for the construction of a new house because the initial one had collapsed. Since then, we have been sheltering at my son's house for the last four years. I was not comfortable at all besides privacy. With the remaining amount of money, I have been buying foodstuffs for my family and settling other household needs.