Since I lack a reliable source of income, I wish to venture further into livestock keeping. Right now, I own 5 goats, most of whom I bought through Give Directly’s transfers. My prayer is to have bought 5 more goats by the end of the year to expand my herd. I believe that owning livestock will help me raise funds to support the education of my children, who are still in primary school.

Give Directly’s greatest job is giving unconditional money to people affected by poverty. Through the money, I fulfilled many wishes that would have otherwise been difficult to accomplish. I will be lying if I said that my life did not improve. The only thing I would recommend the organization brings back the cash transfers, as life is gradually crawling back to being tough. 

Courtesy of the cash transfers, I own a cozy bed and mattress, that would have been difficult to afford were it not for Give Directly. Unlike when I used to sleep on a sisal-twined, nowadays I enjoy comfortable sleep on my new bed and no longer wake up fatigued. I also bought a solar lamp system worth $75, which was an incredible upgrade from the paraffin lantern that my family previously used. Additionally, my three children in primary school had unpaid tuition balances amounting to $18 and I cleared them. The remaining funds went towards the purchase of food, to ensure my family consumed regular meals throughout the year. Am grateful for the cash transfers, as they significantly improved my family’s living standards. Above all, they allowed me to actively contribute to household needs without having to depend on my husband. 

We are experiencing drought in our area. My day starts at around 6 am by traveling to look for water for the family. I always return home at around 11 am exhausted carrying 20 liters of water on my head. I had left my phone charging in my house, I decided to check my phone and upon checking, I realized that I had received the transfer. I felt very happy and relieved since the struggle of providing enough food for the family had finally got a solution.

The biggest difference in my daily life is that I am now living happily after acquiring 2 acres piece of land. I am planning to start farming something that will ensure that I have enough food supply for the family. Previously, I use to do farming in a low fertile land characterized by a poor harvest. I was struggling for the bigger part of the year in providing enough food for the family. Working as a casual laborer from one job to another without getting enough money to feed the family.

I am a peasant farmer growing coconut and maize for households consumption. For more than 10 years, I have been growing my crops in a small land that has lost fertility over the years. This resulted in poor crop harvest hence food insecurity for the family. The harvests from this piece of land could sustain the family only for 3 months and leaving the remaining part of the year struggling to get food. I have desired to own a virgin land but I lacked the financial muscles to purchase one. I spent KES 50000 to purchase a two hectares piece of land, I am planning to clear it to begin farming. I am optimistic that I will be able to produce enough food for the family. I also bought new clothes for my kids since they were wearing worn-out clothes and I was always feeling embarrassed when they are out with the other kids. The remaining amount assists me to pay school fees for my 3 children who are still in primary level.