As we heavily rely on subsistence farming for our livelihood, my main aspiration for the coming year and beyond is to acquire additional pieces of land to expand our farming endeavors. By leasing extra land, I aim to enhance not only food production but also generate surplus crops that we can sell to meet various household expenses. This expansion will provide us with a more stable and sustainable source of income, ensuring a brighter and more prosperous future for our family.

GiveDirectly's project has been outstanding, and we sincerely appreciate the positive impact it has had on our lives. The organization's approach of providing direct financial support has been highly effective, empowering us to address our immediate needs and make significant improvements. However, for future endeavors, it would be beneficial if GiveDirectly could consider extending their support beyond the initial support, exploring ways to foster long-term sustainability and economic growth in the communities they serve. By investing in skill development, education, or income-generating projects, the impact of their aid could be even more enduring, creating a pathway towards a better and more prosperous future for those in need.

Upon receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly, my main goal was to complete the ongoing construction work, as it would be the last support I had to receive. With my husband's contribution and the $100 from the transfer, we pooled our resources to ensure the completion of the house. He used $40 to purchase sand and paid $80 for labor. I am delighted that our house is now complete, providing ample space for my family. We also allocated $25 to invest in three goats and a cow, with the intention of breeding them and selling their offspring in the future. Despite having two other children currently in primary school, I prioritized using some of the funds to clear my daughter's tuition fees for her distant secondary school, relieving her of the need to travel home within the term. The $10 pending fee was settled, and I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for easing the heavy burden I carried, especially since our livelihood was predominantly dependent on crop farming, which is sometimes affected by drought, unlike the more reliable livestock farming.

Once I have paid for my children's school fees, acquired livestock, and ensured that all of our plans are on track, my intention is to focus on enhancing my farming activities. My aim is to boost production and generate surplus crops that can be sold for additional income. Through this, I hope to generate enough funds to cover my children's school fees and also save up for future projects.

GiveDirectly is allowing recipients to make their own decisions on how to best allocate funds to address their specific needs. This approach has empowered individuals to take control of their lives and make investments in areas that matter most, such as education, healthcare, and small businesses. GiveDirectly's transparent enrollment process ensures that everyone has an equal chance to receive assistance, contributing to a fairer and more just distribution of resources.

The timing of the second transfer from GiveDirectly was perfect, as I was facing several challenges at the time. My daughter was beginning her ninth-grade education at a nearby secondary school, and the list of requirements was extensive to the point where I had considered sending her to a local day school instead. However, upon receiving the transfer, I was able to purchase all of the necessary school requirements valued at $200, including two sets of school-branded uniforms, a metal box, shoes, bedding, and textbooks and exercise books. Additionally, I paid her $150 admission fees, allowing her to progress uninterrupted throughout the semester. I also used $90 to purchase two goats, which I intend to rear and sell in the future to pay for my daughter's education. Finally, I spent the remaining funds on a bag of cement to complete an unfinished part of my house.

I was working casually at a nearby farm when I received a Mpesa message whose source I could not understand. I had to wait until evening to come home and first call my child, who read it through and translated it for me. I was extremely happy when I realized it was from GiveDirectly. That day, I thanked God for his abundant provision. I was excited and could not help but celebrate in front of my family members, who were also overjoyed.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the great happiness I now have because I live in a decent house like everyone else in the village. It was embarrassing to live in an uncompleted house with uncovered walls and dusty floors because I had not plastered it. I am motivated to work right now because I know I will come home to a warm house with good bedding where I can relax without fear of animal invasion. I can also confidently welcome visitors to my new home, which has more space than the small cube that I previously occupied.

We moved away from the land we had built on the lake's edge ten years ago when the lake waters rose and covered most of our land and eventually houses. Since then, we have been looking for a place to live on a neighbor's vast land, which, while not ideal, I am grateful for because he generously donated that piece for us to live on. Due to its proximity to the lake, the first stop was a swampy area that would be infested with wild animals and snakes. We later moved to a raised ground on the same land owned by a neighbor and began building a new house, which we never finished. We were unable to build a good house due to the movement, but I am grateful that after receiving the transfer, we were able to put up a spacious structure made of iron sheet walls, with three cubicle rooms shared by my family of eight. I also spent $105 on 15 bags of cement, $40 on sand, and $10 on labor. I am grateful and hope to use the remaining funds to pay school fees and purchase goats. We had relied extensively on casual labor, which included working on other people's farms and I hope to see a lot changing with the support we are getting in the subsequent transfers.