After the flooding, I had given up on farming. I’d watched my fields drown, seen the work of my hands wash away, and for a long time, I just couldn’t imagine going back. But lately, something in me has shifted, and I've realized that I'm ready to start again. So, here I am, thinking of returning to farming, with a focus on maize, beans, and vegetable crops. These are the things we need most—things my family relies on for both food and income. The hope is that, this time around, I can make it work. I want to use the upcoming 3rd transfer as my starting point, to buy seeds, and start planting again. This time, I see it not just as work but as an investment. I keep telling myself, Once I harvest, I’ll finally have the resources to support my family. And it’s not just about food; I want to be able to cover school fees, to give my children a chance to learn and grow, without worrying about where the next meal will come from.

When I received the money from GiveDirectly, they didn’t tell me how to spend it or try to map out my priorities for me. They just trusted that I knew best what my family needed. It reminded me that, even with limited resources, we are the ones who understand our needs most clearly. And having that freedom to decide was empowering; I could allocate the funds where they’d truly make a difference. Another thing I appreciated deeply was how they handled the payments for families. Every household was treated equally, including polygamous families like mine. Each wife received her own portion, which made it easier for us to make decisions tailored to our households. The process was transparent, and everything was clearly explained. Looking back, I can't think of anything they could improve. It was evident they respected us and cared for our well-being, which made all the difference.

When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I prioritized paying off the school fees arrears for my three children in secondary school, which cost me $200. Education is very important to me, and I didn’t want them to miss any more classes due to unpaid fees. Clearing their balances brought me a huge sense of relief, knowing they could now focus fully on their studies without the worry of being sent home. I also spent $100 to replace my bed and mattress, which were destroyed by floods. For months, I’d been sleeping on sacks and mats, and finally having a proper bed again felt like a return to dignity and comfort. It was a long-awaited change, and I’m grateful to have a place to sleep that provides me with proper rest. With the remaining money, I bought household essentials, including two bags of maize to ensure my family had enough food. Food security has been a constant concern, so securing this supply was a top priority. I also set aside a small amount for emergencies or additional food needs that may arise. This support has truly helped me stabilize my household and provide a better environment for my family.

It was late in the afternoon, and I was busy washing clothes for my family. As I hurried to finish, my phone, which I had placed on a stool next to me, beeped, signalling an incoming message. I quickly wiped my hands dry with my skirt and picked up the phone to check the message. I couldn't believe my eyes; it was a Mpesa SMS indicating that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I had to reread it twice to confirm what I had seen. Overjoyed, I shared the good news with my youngest daughter when she returned from school that evening. That same evening, I also sent $40 to my spouse, who was at the farm that evening, to buy petroleum for the generator to help pump water to our tomato farm for irrigation. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the transfer!

Since I received the transfers, the biggest difference has been the ability to manage our treasured investments. The transfer enabled us to irrigate our tomatoes, which we farm commercially to support our family and pay for our children's education. After losing our previous 1.5-acre tomato farm to floods, restarting was challenging and seeing our new crops wilting due to lack of rain was heartbreaking. GiveDirectly's transfer saved us by allowing us to buy petroleum for our generator to pump water for irrigation. Now, our crops are flourishing, and we expect to harvest in a month. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for helping us during our time of need.

I am grateful that the transfer came when I needed it the most. Our one-and-a-half-acre farm was submerged by recent floods. Losing the farm was a painful experience, as it held so much of our hope of fending for our family of seven and paying the fees for our three children in secondary school. To salvage the situation, my spouse and I decided to sell our cow, using the proceeds to lease nearby land unaffected by the floods. When the transfer arrived, our tomatoes urgently needed water as the rain had stopped and we couldn't afford to irrigate. With the transfer, we used $40 to buy petroleum for pumping water onto the land to nourish the tomatoes. Additionally, I used $50 to pay school fees for my son in day secondary school, fulfilling a promise to the school to keep him enrolled until we could clear the term's arrears with the money from GiveDirectly. We also spent $46 on food, ensuring that we had enough to last us for a while. Furthermore, I used $10 to buy plastic utensils, as the floods had carried away all we had. We had been borrowing from a neighbor, and I was finally able to return her utensils. I kept the remaining amount aside to maintain the tomato farm.