Next year, I’m hoping to make some changes and focus more on maize farming. It’s the only real way for us to get by around here, and if we want to survive, it’s where I need to put my energy. I was lucky enough to hear from Kenya Seed, and they’ve promised to provide some seeds for us. With that kind of support, I’m thinking of plowing 4.5 acres of land—half for maize and the other half for tomatoes. To raise the money I need for plowing, planting, and all the rest, I’ve decided to sell two of my cows. With 15 cows, parting with two of them shouldn’t be too much of a strain. By this time next year, if all goes as planned, I’ll have a good crop in the ground, and we’ll hopefully be better off.

GiveDirectly didn’t try to tell me what to do with the funds or pressure me into spending in a specific way. They genuinely believed in me and trusted that I would make the right choices for myself and my family. That trust meant a lot—it gave me confidence and allowed me to carefully plan and prioritize what we truly needed. I also appreciated how everything was explained in clear detail. The process was straightforward, and every question I had was answered fully. There was no confusion about how things would work, and I never felt unsure about what to expect. I don’t see anything that needs to be changed because they really took the time to ensure I understood the support and how to access it. This transparency made me feel respected and valued, and it showed me that GiveDirectly is truly committed to helping us in a way that uplifts rather than limits us.

First, I used $200 to pay off my daughter’s school fees for Form 2. Clearing the arrears has brought me so much relief, as I no longer have to worry about her missing classes due to unpaid fees. Next, I used $100 to buy household food items. We were running low on food, and with the schools closing soon, we needed to ensure we had enough supplies to feed everyone. The crops we had planted were destroyed by recent floods, so this money came at the perfect time to help us restock. Having enough food at home means a lot, especially when we can’t rely on our usual harvest. I spent $35 to plough an acre of land, then $20 to prepare ridges to control water flow during irrigation. I also used $44 to pay for labor to help with planting tomatoes. Lastly, I bought tomato seeds, which are now in the soil, hopefully growing into a successful crop. This investment in farming will help us generate income, and I hope that with a good harvest, I can continue to improve our living conditions.

I was in town, sitting alone in a hotel, trying to figure out how best to navigate the problems I had. At that moment, floods had hit my village. I had two acres where I had planted tomatoes, which were swept away just as I was about to harvest. This brought many challenges because I was counting on the farm produce to pay school fees. One of my children in secondary school had already been sent home because of unpaid fees. Suddenly, a message popped up on my phone, informing me that I had received $200. Initially, it didn't show who sent it, but after scrolling further, I confirmed it was from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed by joy and gratitude, I walked out of the hotel immediately. I went straight to deposit my son's school fees and started making preparations to restore my farm. This timely support lifted a huge burden off my shoulders and allowed me to get back on my feet.

The biggest difference since I started receiving cash from GiveDirectly has been the ability to get back to farming. Recently, floods hit my village, and my two acres of tomatoes were completely swept away. The impact was huge and devastating, and I had no hope of ever getting back on my feet again. But then, GiveDirectly came through, and I received the first transfer of $200. With this support, I ventured back into tomato farming, this time in a completely different place and on one acre of land. This financial assistance gave me the hope and resources I needed to start over and continue providing for my family.

Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with joy and gratitude to God and GiveDirectly. At that time, a flood had caused significant losses in my life. I had a farm of two acres where I planted tomatoes, and I was almost ready to harvest when the floods swept everything away, leaving me with nothing. I had been expecting the farm produce to pay school fees for my kids. By the time the money came, one of my children, who was in secondary school, was at home due to unpaid fees. I spent $100 to pay the school fees and sent my child back to school. This made me happy and less stressed because the situation became manageable. I used $50 to buy farm inputs and ventured back into tomato farming, this time on 1.5 acres of land in a safer place, away from the threat of floods. Now, I am just two weeks away from the first harvest, which gives me hope that anyone can bounce back when they have the platform and capital to do so. Tomatoes do well here, and their current market price is very competitive. I plan to use the money gained from selling the farm produce to keep my child in school. The remaining $50 was used to buy food, ensuring that my family of five kids had enough to eat since the floods had left us with nothing. This support from GiveDirectly has truly transformed our lives and given us a chance to rebuild and thrive again.