With the favorable rains, I have prepared my land for planting, gearing up to acquire maize seeds and other inputs from the reliable Kenya Seeds Company, which has been a consistent support to farmers in our region. Despite being my first time farming with these seeds, I am optimistic about achieving a good harvest and securing a fair income, given the company's ready market for the produce. This farming venture, made possible by the empowerment from GiveDirectly and the support from the seed company, serves two purposes: ensuring sufficient food for my family of six and generating income to meet household obligations, particularly school fees for my four children. Previously, paying their school fees posed challenges, but with the progress made in the past three months, I am committed to maintaining a consistent work over it and ensuring they continue their education without interruption.

The arrival of GiveDirectly in our village brought about a sense of fairness and equality, with everyone receiving the same amount of support regardless of their circumstances. This was a refreshing change from other organizations that often target specific groups, leaving others feeling excluded. The enrollment process was handled with care by patient officers who ensured that we understood the project and how to manage our money responsibly. I have no complaints about the process and am grateful for the opportunities it has provided. I hope that GiveDirectly's impact can extend to other regions, allowing more people to rebuild their lives and experience the same positive changes we have seen in our village.

Despite having a large family of six, we have been living in a small, simple structure made of iron sheets for far too long. My three sons have struggled with discomfort, especially at night and during daily activities due to the lack of privacy. Constructing a new house has always been a dream, but financial constraints, including school fees and providing food, made it seem out of reach. Thanks to GiveDirectly, that dream became a reality as they facilitated the purchase of construction materials, enabling us to build a spacious and decent house for $350. Now, with an extra room, my sons have the space they need to study and relax comfortably. Additionally, I allocated $40 to purchase a sack of dry maize grains for our food supply and used the remaining $60 to cover transportation costs for my children as they traveled home from school. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support, which has freed me from low-paying, exhausting casual jobs. With this, we are focusing on our farms, aiming to produce enough food for our family and generate surplus for sale.

I remember the day I got the money from GiveDirectly vividly. I was at home with one of my kids who had been sent back from school because we couldn't pay the fees. With five kids in total and four in school, money was always tight. When I heard that GiveDirectly had sent $200, I felt a rush of relief and happiness. My first thought was to use $100 to clear the school fee balance and send my child back to school. It was a moment of immense gratitude and hope for me and my family.

Since I began receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, my life has changed in remarkable ways. The most significant difference is that my kids are now attending school regularly. Before, they would often stay at home because we couldn't afford to pay their school fees. It broke my heart to see them miss out on their education. Another big change is that my kids now have decent clothes to wear. In the past, they would wear worn-out clothes, which made them feel embarrassed when they went out. But now, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, they can step out with dignity, wearing clothes that make them feel good about themselves. These changes have brought so much joy and relief to our family. I'm grateful for GiveDirectly's assistance, which has made such a positive impact on our lives.

When I got $200 from GiveDirectly, it was a blessing. One of my kids was at home because we couldn't pay school fees, so I used $100 to send him back to school. At home, we were struggling with food, so $40 went to buying groceries for my family. Another $40 went to buying new clothes for my kids who badly needed them. It was a moment of gratitude and joy, knowing we could address these urgent needs.