I am a teacher, and I really hope to be employed by the government. If I get this job, it would mean permanent employment for me. This would provide a steady income for my family, which is very important.I am optimistic about my chances. I believe that once I present my papers, I will get the job. If I don’t get the full position, I hope to at least be an intern. I know that this opportunity would help me grow and secure a better future for my family.

I was pleasantly surprised when, after receiving the funds, I got a call from one of their representatives, just as they promised. The communication has been consistent, and I appreciate how they follow through with their commitments. Each step of the process has been clearly outlined, which reassures me that I am part of something organized and trustworthy. Moreover, the officers who have reached out to me have been nothing but friendly and respectful. There’s no hint of harassment or pressure; they seem genuinely interested in my well-being. This experience has felt empowering rather than burdensome, and I find it refreshing to engage with people who treat me with dignity. I truly believe everything is running smoothly as it is; there’s nothing I would change. GiveDirectly has exceeded my expectations, and I’m grateful for their support.

When I received the cash transfer, I immediately put $300 towards buying 30 bags of cement. I’ve been building a three-room house, and the floor was just sand, which gets dusty and messy when it rains. With the cement, I plan to give the floor a solid finish and also raise the entrance a little to prevent water from getting in during heavy rains. It’s a small improvement, but it makes the home feel more stable and comfortable for all of us. I also used $80 to plough two acres of land to plant beans. Farming has always been a crucial part of our family’s income, and beans are a reliable crop that does well in our area. Lastly, I set aside $20 to buy some clothes for my 4-year-old daughter and myself. It felt nice to treat us a little and have something new to wear. I used the remaining money to stock up on household food items to ensure we’re food secure as I continue working as a teacher and supporting my husband, who also helps with the farm.

I was at home with my neighbor, who visited me that day. Because I was at home, I did not go to school as it was our half-term break. We closed the school early. I am a teacher but not yet employed. While we were chatting and sharing stories, a message from M-Pesa suddenly popped up. A wave of joy overwhelmed me—it was a surprise since we were expecting money in July, but it arrived toward the end of June. I immediately thought of investing the money in raising chicks, as the ones I had before were lost to the floods. I had initially planned to use the money to build a better house, topping up with the funds I expected from farming in July. Since the money arrived early, I decided to invest in rearing chickens first and wait for the second transfer to work on the house.

I have been dreaming of having a bigger farm and rearing a large number of chickens, and with the help of GiveDirectly, I see that this dream is achievable. I am hoping for much bigger changes in my life, and my family is happy to have some projects running at our home.

Even though I am a temporary teacher earning $75 per month, that income, along with the money I make from selling vegetables from my farm, has been a big support for us. We weren't affected by the drought because we live near a river. However, recent floods have devastated us by destroying my chickens and farm. This is particularly painful because I had taken a loan from the Kenya Seed Board to help manage the farm, and now I'm left with a large unpaid debt. The floods have also made roads impassable, preventing us from accessing markets and schools.After the floods, I invested $50 in buying 36 chicks and feed, planning to focus more on this project for future support. I also spent $70 on heavy clothes to keep warm and $5,000 on food to ensure we have enough as we prepare the farm for planting. My husband, who is not employed, is mainly responsible for the farm work. Additionally, I paid $20 for my table banking women's association and used the remaining $10 for my child's transportation fees since I only have one kid. I am very grateful to GiveDirectly for their timely help. Thank you so much, and be blessed.