After using the money from the second transfer to buy goats and the money from the third transfer to plant my farm, my plan is I'll sell what I grow on the farm to pay for my two daughters' university fees. I'm confident that when they finish their school and find jobs, they'll take care of me, and we'll have a good life together.

Previously, we had heard many negative rumors about the GiveDirectly money, but I always saw it in a positive light even before receiving it. Getting unconditional cash is amazing, and I've never seen money given away for free like this before. In the future, I'll tell my grandchildren and great grandchildren about this money. I'm so happy, words can't even describe how happy I amTo GiveDirectly, when you visit other villages, please focus on enrolling women first before men. Women are good at managing money and are disciplined with their spending.

For the past 15 years, I've been alone since my husband died in a car crash in Meru County. It was tough taking care of our six kids without him. But when I got the latest money transfer, I decided to do something smart with itI used $180 to rent a piece of land and plant beans. Beans are marketable in our area, so I figured it was a good investment. When you harvest one hectare of beans, you get 6 bags. Each bag sells for $170. So, planting beans seemed like a good idea to make money. And I'm thankful to GiveDirectly for giving me the money to start farming.I also spent $50 to buy mango seedlings and planted them in my compound. When I get older, I can sell the mangoes and relax under the shade of the mango trees, enjoying them and remembering the help from GiveDirectly.The rest of the money went towards my kids' school fees. Before this money came, I used to borrow loans or sell my animals to pay for school. But thanks to GiveDirectly, things have improved. I used to have a lot of debt, but now I don't owe anyone. I even have some money saved in the bank for emergencies.

In the upcoming year, amid various responsibilities as a single mother, my primary goal is to venture into poultry farming as an additional source of income for my family. Despite a previous setback due to poor management practices, resulting in the loss of all the poultry, I have learned valuable lessons and identified the best breed for success. Despite the challenges, I remain committed to meeting all my obligations and ensuring that I provide for my children's education. Poultry farming presents a promising opportunity to enhance our financial stability, and I am determined to apply the lessons learned to make this venture successful for the benefit of my family's well-being and my children's education.

The overall experience after receiving support from GiveDirectly has significantly improved our living standards, and many who were once struggling are now grateful for the support we received. The follow-ups conducted have been appreciated, keeping us on track and ensuring the proper management of our transfers without interference. Money has proven to solve various problems that material assistance might not have addressed effectively. So far, everything has been positive, and we encourage the continued support of a similar kind in other villages.

Upon receiving the second transfer, my family of 8 had a comprehensive plan in place. Prioritizing farming activities, I invested in the future by purchasing 14 mango seedlings, each costing $3. With one mango tree already on my farm, my aim is to expand the plantation not only for its future profitability but also to contribute to environmental conservation, particularly during times of drought. Additionally, I allocated $45 for Lentils and bean seeds, planting them on my land after spending $60 on land preparation. These short-season crops are strategically chosen to optimize the available rainfall for a better harvest. In efforts to secure the crops from stray livestock, I hired a team to fix my farm's fence at a cost of $40, ensuring healthy crop growth without interference. Lastly, I directed the remaining $270 towards paying the college fees for my son, who has been a beneficiary of the support from GiveDirectly, relying on subsistence farming to sustain the education of all four children.

I can vividly remember the day I received my transfer. I was deeply engrossed in harvesting maize when suddenly, my phone buzzed with a message alert. Initially, I thought it might be a message from my service provider, so I didn't pay much attention to it. However, as I overheard others celebrating the receipt of their cash from GiveDirectly, curiosity got the better of me, and I quickly checked my phone. To my suprise and joy, I discovered that GiveDirectly had sent me money. A mixture of disbelief and happiness washed over me, making it the most heartwarming news I had received in a long time. Filled with immense happiness, I immediately engaged in discussions about how to utilize the funds, especially since my children had been sent home from school due to unpaid fees. I am profoundly grateful for the timely support that provided significant relief during my time of greatest need.

The biggest difference in my life is that I was able to pay off the school fees arrears promptly, and my children didn't have to waste as much time as before. In the past, they used to stay home for weeks because I had to raise their fees through fundraising from well-wishers and relatives. This was because I solely rely on farming, which yields minimal profit due to the challenging climatic conditions.

I am a widow and the mother of six children, relying on farming for our livelihood. What I earn from farming is barely sufficient to meet the needs of my family, especially since I have four children in high school and two in primary school. My transfer arrived at the perfect time of need, as my children had been sent home due to unpaid school fees, and I had no funds to cover it. The moment I received the money brought me immense happiness. I promptly used $150 to settle the school fees, and I spent $50 to prepare my farm for the upcoming planting season, where I plan to cultivate butternuts. I am delighted that my children can now focus on their studies without the worry of missing classes due to unpaid fees, as they did in the past when they had to stay home for weeks.