My goal for the coming year is to lease two acres of land where I plan to plant maize and tomatoes. Both crops are very productive and once I sell them, I believe that I will earn enough money to pay school fees for my four children who are in school. To make this happen, I will either take out a loan or sell some goats to raise the money. I will then use the money to lease land, plough it and buy seeds. I am optimistic that with hard work and determination, I am positive that I will succeed.

The officers were very friendly from the moment they arrived. They explained everything clearly, making sure we knew what was happening and why it was happening. It didn’t feel like they were just handing us money; they were offering us a lifeline, with respect and dignity. What really stood out to me was that they came to visit us at home. It wasn’t just a transaction over the phone or online; they took the time to meet us where we live, in our own space, and see firsthand the challenges we face. Their visit made all the difference, making us feel seen and heard. I do not see anything that needs to be changed in the program because I feel everything was done well.

I used $300 to build a two-roomed house made of iron sheets. It took about 32 sheets, and I also bought frames to complete the structure. This house means everything to me because my former home was swept away by floods, and my family of five children and I were left with no choice but to live with my uncle. Now, I am overjoyed that my children and I have finally returned to a place we can call our own. Unfortunately, life hasn't been without its challenges. My wife had been very sick and was admitted to the hospital for treatment. I used $150 of the cash transfer to pay her hospital bill, hoping she would recover. Sadly, despite all the efforts, she passed away. It was a devastating loss for my family and me, but at least I was able to ensure her hospital expenses were taken care of, giving her the care she needed until her final moments. Despite the loss, I remain hopeful as I work towards providing a better life for my children and rebuilding our future.

It was around 3pm, and I had just returned home from doing some casual work when my phone rang. I checked it, and to my surprise, it was an M-Pesa notification from GiveDirectly. At that moment, I felt a rush of relief and joy because my wife was in the hospital, admitted with a large medical bill that had been weighing heavily on my mind. I had no idea how I was going to manage such an amount, and it felt like a burden I couldn’t escape. But I thank God, because the money came right when I needed it most. Without wasting any time, I rushed to the hospital to settle the bill, feeling grateful and at peace.

Before receiving the transfer, I was completely lost, unsure of how to pay the large medical bill for my wife’s cancer treatment. Even with the help of my neighbors who conducted a fundraiser, it wasn’t enough to cover all the expenses. The pressure was overwhelming, and I didn’t know where else to turn for help. After receiving the transfer, I was able to clear the hospital bill, but sadly, my wife still passed away. The biggest difference now is that I have some financial relief to focus on my children, especially their school fees. Life is still tough, but at least I no longer have the weight of the hospital debt on my shoulders.

Losing my wife was the hardest thing I’ve ever faced, and the day I spent all of my first transfer on her medical bills felt like the end of everything. She had been battling cancer for a long time, and when she was admitted to the hospital, the bills piled up quickly. I used the entire transfer to pay for her treatment, hoping and praying that it would give her more time. But despite all efforts, she passed away, leaving me with five children to take care of. I felt devastated, and life became even more difficult with the weight of that loss.With three of my children in secondary school, the burden only grew heavier. School fees became my biggest challenge, and I didn’t know how I was going to keep up. My wife had been my rock, the one I leaned on when things got tough, and now that she was gone, I had to find a way to stay strong for the children. The grief was overwhelming, but I had no choice but to keep going. I knew I had to find a way to provide for my family, no matter how hard it got.Even though life became tough, I had to push forward. My children are my hope, and their education is something I’m determined to support. The transfer helped ease the financial burden for a moment, but losing my wife has left a gap that no amount of money can fill. I now focus on taking care of my family, working hard to make sure my kids can finish school and have a better future. I hold onto that hope, knowing that it’s the only way to keep going despite the challenges.