This year, my hopes are high as I strive for a good harvest. I have expanded my farming efforts to 2.5 acres of land, whereas in previous years, I only tilled one acre of maize. This expansion is a significant step forward for me. However, I now face the challenge of needing fertilizer, especially Urea, to ensure a good harvest that will secure food for my family of three kids and support my business. I am eagerly looking forward to saving enough from my business to purchase the necessary fertilizer. Yet, it is a challenging task because I also need to cater to my basic needs. Balancing these priorities is not easy, but the thought of achieving a good harvest fills me with joy and satisfaction. The prospect of securing food for my family and boosting my business motivates me to keep pushing forward, despite the challenges.

Through GiveDirectly's direct approach, a lot of people have been helped. People had the liberty to choose what they wanted to do with their cash. Many now have houses, some have livestock, and others chose to invest in education. I have not seen anything wrong with GiveDirectly's approach since they came in. Their support has made a significant positive impact on our community.

I was incredibly blessed and lucky to receive $450 from GiveDirectly. At that moment, I had already planted maize, which was ready to be harvested and transported home. I used $100 to ensure the maize was harvested and brought home. I was able to harvest 15 bags, which comfortably solved my food security issues. I also set aside some bags to support my posho mill business. This business has since grown, allowing me to cater to my basic needs even now, more than six months since the last transfer from GiveDirectly. I used $150 to build a new kitchen. The one I had before was makeshift, and I needed a good kitchen that would provide comfort and security, especially during the rainy season. This decision proved to be right after the last rains caused floods countrywide. Despite the floods, I was able to cook comfortably and store many of my belongings in the new kitchen. Lastly, I used $50 to buy a goat. The goat gave birth, and it has been a constant reminder of GiveDirectly's support. Because of this, I am able to enjoy special tea with milk. I feel supported and am so grateful for everything GiveDirectly has done for me.

In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to maximize our agricultural potential. We are currently preparing the land, and with anticipated heavy rains that will fill our rivers, we hope to have an ideal setup for irrigation. My plan is to cultivate beans and maize on approximately an acre and a half of land alongside the river. This decision is driven by the desire to ensure a stable source of food and income for my family, taking advantage of the available water resources for successful and sustainable farming.

I am genuinely grateful for the big impact GiveDirectly has had on our community. Before their entry, we were struggling with the devastating effects of three years of drought that wiped out our crops and threatened our livestock. GiveDirectly brought a much-needed revival, transforming our families for the better, and we are proud of the progress we have made. While direct cash transfers have been incredibly effective, I also hope that GiveDirectly considers launching community-based projects, particularly initiatives related to providing access to clean water for our local communities. This addition could further enhance the well-being and sustainability of our area.

Right after receiving the second transfer I spent $360 to revive my maize milling business, which had been on a halt due to a lack of capital. This allowed me to purchase six sacks of maize, useful in my maize-milling business. Most of the transfer went into farming, and I am pleased to report a promising harvest of 18 sacks, which I am yet to thresh. This harvest of maize ensures sufficient food for my family of six. Additionally, I prioritized my grandchild's education by using part of the funds to cover their $100 school fees, supplemented with some of my savings. Despite the pressing need for school fees, I had to balance it with maintaining my business to prepare for the upcoming harvest season.

I was filled with immense joy and gratitude the moment I received the first transfer from GiveDirectly. As I received the Mpesa message around 3:00 PM, a neighbor promptly called to inform me that the money originated from GiveDirectly, as the entire community was already rejoicing in the nearby shopping center. Overwhelmed with appreciation, I couldn't immediately collect the funds, choosing to take a couple of days to carefully align my plans and make the most of this invaluable opportunity.

The biggest difference in my daily life, since receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly is the timely support I received in paying my son's university fees and ensuring an ample daily meal for my family of four. Previously, I grappled with the challenge of managing both financial obligations simultaneously. However, I am now filled with gratitude, as GiveDirectly's intervention has made an enormous difference by enabling me to settle the school fees and obtain sufficient food provisions for my household. This support has alleviated the burdens I faced and brought much-needed stability to our daily lives.

During the enrollment phase of the GiveDirectly program, I had carefully planned out various objectives that I aimed to accomplish with the anticipated financial support. Among the urgent matters was the settlement of my son's school fees, as he is currently in his third year at Kenyatta University. Since other agricultural endeavors were hindered by the persistent drought, I had previously relied on livestock farming. Immediately after receiving the first transfer, I allocated $100 towards his educational expenses, alleviating the financial burden. Subsequently, I utilized the remaining $80 to procure essential food items, including maize, beans, groceries, and other household necessities, which have been instrumental in sustaining my family of four up to the present time.