After relocating my family due to losing everything in the floods, including crops, our house, and household items, life has been tough. I plan to take out a loan to rent land and plant short-season crops like beans. The size of the land I rent will depend on the amount of the loan I receive. I will use the proceeds to repay the loan and use the remaining funds to continue crop farming. I am hopeful that, sooner or later, this will help me get back on my feet.

First of all, enrollment is optional. Additionally, GiveDirectly educates the community about security measures to ensure that recipients do not spend money on illegal items like firearms. Although the money is unconditional, it cannot be used for illegal purposes. GiveDirectly operates independently, with no external parties involved, including community leaders. The organization follows up on spending and can conduct visits to help recipients use the cash appropriately. The transfers have significantly helped us and created transformations. I suggest providing additional transfers, as this would further support development.

Following the recent floods, our house was submerged since we lived near the lake, and the area remains completely covered by water. With my second transfer, I purchased a plot on higher ground to protect against future flooding. When I received my final transfer, I used it to build a one-room iron sheet house on the new plot, costing $270. I repurposed materials from the old, flooded house and bought additional ones, ensuring we now have a house free from floods. The floods had destroyed everything, including our bedding, bedclothes, and household items. Using the transfer, I bought a mattress for $45 and a bed for $40 for my wife and me, and another bed and mattress for the children, costing $38. I used the remaining funds to buy food. Losing my crops was devastating and made it nearly impossible to put food on the table for my family. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to secure food items worth $50, which sustained us for some time.

This year and in the years to come, my plan is to return to the life I had before the floods, and even better than before. Though I am in a new place, it doesn't feel entirely new because I know the people around me. I want to get back to farming, but this time, I plan to do it differently. With the money from GiveDirectly and the possibility of borrowing if needed, I aim to venture into tomato farming. Previously, I only grew maize because it was cost-effective. Now, with the cash I have, I can afford to buy seeds, insecticides, and fertilizer needed for tomato farming. This financial support allows me to address food security issues in my home, pay school fees, and improve the lives of myself and my family. The thought of achieving this fills me with joy, and I already see it as a success and accomplishment. I am excited about the future and the opportunities that farming will bring.

What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is the absence of politics and discrimination. Everyone can qualify to receive the money, regardless of their social class. This inclusiveness, along with their unconditional cash transfers, has significantly improved livelihoods and education. People have been able to respond to the floods in ways that suit their unique circumstances. I urge GiveDirectly to continue their focus on cash transfers, as it is the best way to address specific needs, even at the household level. In my opinion, they should stick to this approach. Cash transfers have made a real difference in our community, and I hope they never change this effective method.

When the recent transfers from GiveDirectly came, they arrived just in time as I was in the middle of a disaster. Lake Baringo had swollen, and the water was almost 400 meters from my house. It was a huge risk for my family. I have two kids, and the floods brought many dangers, including diseases, destruction of property, and harmful water creatures, putting our lives in danger. To address this recurring issue permanently, I needed to find a good and safer place to live. I secured a piece of land by paying a deposit of $250; the initial price of the land is $400. I plan to pay the remaining amount later using the third transfer from GiveDirectly. Additionally, I used $160 to transport all our materials and build a new home on the land I bought. Now, I am so happy to be in a safer place, thanks to GiveDirectly. This support has provided my family with security and peace of mind.

Around 4:00 PM, I was out on my one-acre farm, chasing away bothersome monkeys eyeing my ripe maize. My head was spinning with thoughts of how to gather money for the urgent harvest. The maize was ready, and waiting too long could ruin it. Suddenly, my phone buzzed in my pocket. Pulling it out, I saw a message from Mpesa confirming a transfer from GD. I was thrilled! It was perfect timing, lifting the burden of financial worries off my shoulders. Grateful, I thanked God for it. When I got back home after sunset, I excitedly shared the news with my spouse, who could not contain her happiness and broke into a celebratory dance. Thank you, GD.

Receiving the transfer has brought a sense of relief and happiness into my life. It is as if a heavy burden has been lifted from my shoulders. With the financial support, I was able to safeguard my only source of income, my maize crop, from being ruined by rain by harvesting it on time. This secured our income and also ensured food security for my family of three. Additionally, I seized the opportunity to lease an extra 3/4 acre of land, paving the way for potential additional income. My goal is to save more with the aim of relocating to a safer area, away from the threat of floods.

The transfer arrived at the perfect moment when I was in dire need. My one-acre maize was ripe for harvest, but I lacked the funds to proceed. Leaving it in the field for too long risked spoilage, and this crop was our only source of livelihood for my family of three. I was on the brink of taking out a loan when the transfer came through, relieving my financial stress. I allocated $50 for the harvesting process and used another $100 to lease an additional 3/4 acre of land, preparing it for planting to expand our income sources. My goal is to save from these earnings to purchase a safer plot for my family. We currently live in fear of floods, being close to the lake. Witnessing our close neighbours' losses and displacement due to the lake breaking its bank adds to my anxiety, highlighting our vulnerability. Additionally, I gave the remaining $50 to my spouse to handle immediate needs such as food items and toiletries, ensuring the impact of the transfer is felt directly by our family.