In the coming years, my focus will be on expanding my cattle-rearing venture. Currently, I manage a herd of 15 cattle, and I am determined to ensure they have sufficient feed even during the challenging drought seasons. To achieve this, I intend to cultivate nappier grass on my three-acre land, guaranteeing a consistent and nutritious food source for my cattle. Additionally, I have a strategic plan to enhance my income streams by acquiring a dairy cow. This addition serves a dual purpose: not only will it provide a steady supply of milk for both commercial and domestic use, but it will also diversify my sources of income. Unlike the existing cattle, which are primarily raised for meat, this dairy cow will significantly contribute to our financial stability and improve our overall livelihood.

I deeply appreciate the approach taken by GD in delivering the transfers directly to our accounts, bypassing intermediaries like local authorities. This ensures that the entire amount reaches us, the intended recipients, without any deductions or delays. The unconditional nature of the money is another aspect that resonates with me. This freedom to decide how to use the funds according to our priorities empowers us to make impactful choices for our families and communities. It is this trust and autonomy that make GD's support truly transformative and valuable.

I strategically invested a significant portion of the funds in my bean farming venture, aligning with the upcoming rainy season as predicted by the meteorological department. Utilizing $200, I procured 50kg of high-quality bean seeds, prepared my one-acre land meticulously, and sowed the seeds. The anticipation is high for a bountiful harvest in December, which I intend to sell, generating an additional income stream that would relieve me of the heavy burden of securing my children’s future, one in secondary and the other in her tertiary education. Additionally, I allocated $170 to secure my child's education. This sum covered her fees for a teacher's training college, ensuring she could promptly commence her studies without any hindrance. In the heart of our humble living space, where laughter and stories weave the fabric of our lives, I made a mindful investment. I invested $65 in new seat cushions, replacing the worn-out ones that had served us for years. The remaining funds were used judiciously to purchase three containers intended for storing honey that I had bought since it was its harvesting season. I plan to sell these products in the future, capitalizing on better market prices. These strategic decisions reflect my commitment to securing our future and optimizing the benefits of the funds received.

In the coming months, my objective is to harvest the maize from my three-acre field, store it appropriately, and wait for the optimal time to sell before the year ends. The revenue from this sale will enable me to plant beans in the subsequent planting season.

In my view, the direct cash transfer approach used by Give Directly has had a tremendous impact on our villages. People now have adequate food, and most importantly, children are regularly attending school, as there's no longer any excuse for absenteeism.

Given our experiences with extended droughts and a high cost of living, which led many families, including ours, to go days without food, it was sensible to dedicate a substantial portion of the transfers to securing food, I spent about $140 to buy enough food for a family of four for two months. In addition, I improved my maize and banana farm by purchasing a bag of fertilizer for $35 and harvested napier grass, using $20 for labor costs. I invested $70 in ten chairs for our home to replace the ones that were stolen, and lastly, I used $100 to fence our compound, providing an added level of security.

At approximately 2:00 pm, I received a message from the Mpesa service provider confirming the receipt of the first transfer. Reading the message made it evident, and I felt a sense of gratitude. However, since I was still in school, where I worked as a teacher at the time, I couldn't collect the money right away. Instead, I waited until the weekend when I had time off from my duties, and that's when I made a visit to the nearby shopping center.

The most significant change in my daily life after receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly is the timely arrival of the funds. It came at a crucial moment when I needed to purchase fertilizers for my farming activities and expand my cultivation to include bananas. I hold high hopes for the upcoming harvest season and anticipate positive outcomes as a result. This financial support has allowed me to invest in my agricultural endeavors and has provided a renewed sense of optimism and the potential for better outcomes in my daily life.

I have been tirelessly working on a 3-acre maize plantation, facing various challenges while trying to bring water through pipes from a nearby seasonal river for irrigation. This has been the sole source of food for my family of four, and despite the difficulties, I have persevered, hoping for a bountiful harvest. However, when I received the first transfer, I was in desperate need of assistance to purchase top-dressing fertilizer, as I was unable to afford it due to other financial obligations. I am thankful that with $70, I managed to acquire 100 kilograms of fertilizer, resulting in positive outcomes and renewed hope for a successful harvest. Additionally, I purchased a chain link for $25, which I plan to use for fencing a portion of my compound. Furthermore, I allocated $50 to buy grafted banana suckers and incurred a cost of $30 for their transportation, intending to plant them at home. As a primary school teacher relying on a modest salary, I am grateful for the support that not only benefited my farming activities but also allowed me to obtain essential household goods with the remaining amount.