I want to build a house for my family because the house we are living in now is in bad shape—the roof is rusted, and the wooden posts have been eaten up by termites. It’s not a safe or comfortable place for us anymore.To make this dream come true, I will keep working on my farm. I grow vegetables and green grams, and once I harvest them, I will sell them to get some money. With that money, I plan to plough the farm and buy maize seeds from Kenya Seed. I will plant the maize, take good care of it, and wait for a good harvest. When I sell the maize, I hope to have enough money to finally build a house. I am thinking of a small but nice house with three rooms—enough for my wife, my two children, and me to live comfortably. This house will mean a lot to us, and I am determined to make it happen.

When GiveDirectly officers came to our village, I was amazed by how friendly and kind they were. They treated us with respect, asking questions in a way we could easily understand. They didn’t rush us, and no question was too small or silly for them to answer. Their patience and genuine interest in our concerns made me feel valued. The money we’ve received has already made a difference, but I do have one suggestion that could help even more. If GiveDirectly could disburse the full amount at once, instead of in smaller installments, it would allow us to invest in bigger projects.

As a farmer, water has always been a critical resource for me, and accessing it was often a challenge. I used to borrow my neighbor's water pump to irrigate my farm, but since everyone around also needed to water their crops, it wasn’t always available when I needed it. Sometimes I would have to wait for days, and during that time, my crops would suffer, especially in the dry season. When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I used the entire amount to buy my own water pump. This was a game changer for me. Now, I don’t have to rely on anyone else or deal with delays because I can water my crops whenever I want, and I’ve already seen the difference it has made—my crops are healthier, and I can manage my farm more effectively.

It was a day full of happiness. I had just come back from my farm and was sitting at the center, enjoying my tea around 3 p.m. Suddenly, I heard my phone beep. When I checked, it was an M-Pesa message confirming that I had received the money. I became so excited, and my mind started racing with ideas about how to use it. The first thought that came to me was to lease land for farming, and I couldn’t wait to get started because I love farming so much.

I am thankful to GiveDirectly for their great support. Before receiving the cash transfer, life was hard because I was struggling to meet the needs of my family. Paying for my child's school fees felt impossible, and I worried about her not having the necessary books for school. It was stressful knowing that the school year was about to start, and I didn't want her to miss out on her education. However, after receiving the money, everything changed for the better. Now, my family is happy, and I was able to pay the school fees and buy the books she needed. My daughter is now back at school, and I feel a sense of relief and joy knowing that I can provide for her future. I am very thankful to GiveDirectly for their great support.

Farming has always been my main source of income, especially since I don’t have any formal job, and it’s something I truly love. With $80, I decided to lease a piece of land to plant green grams because it’s affordable to grow, requires less water, and matures quickly in two months. Given that our area is dry, green grams are a perfect crop for me. I felt confident that this investment would bring in income soon and help me support my family.I also used $50 to pay for my daughter’s school fees at a private school. Normally, I rely on farming to cover her fees, but this year was tough as I didn’t harvest any maize due to floods that destroyed my crops. Education is important to me, so making sure she stays in school was a priority. I felt a sense of relief knowing that her fees were taken care of and she wouldn’t miss out on learning. With another $50, I bought jailing wire and wire mesh to fence my farm. The goats in our area have been a constant problem, destroying my crops and making farming difficult. Fencing my land gives me peace of mind, knowing my farm is secure. The remaining $20 went towards buying food, as I sometimes depend on casual jobs to provide for my family. My wife helps with these jobs while I focus on farming. Together, we are making sure our two children are well taken care of.