I want to buy a dairy cow, mainly so that I can keep it for milk and have enough to sell any extra. This way, I can make a bit of extra money. Right now, I have seven cows, but only four of them can actually be milked, and honestly, the amount of milk I get isn’t enough to meet my needs. To buy this new cow, I plan to use the money I’ll make from selling watermelons. I have a watermelon crop that should be ready for harvesting by December. Once I sell them, I hope to have enough to get the cow. That’s my plan for now, and I’m really hoping it all works out.

When GiveDirectly arrived in our village, they did something different from any other aid group we had ever seen—they simply handed us the money and trusted us to decide how to use it. They didn’t tell us what to do with it or try to manage our plans; they believed that we knew our own needs best. What was even more remarkable was that everyone in the village received the same amount. This approach meant we could grow as a community, supporting one another instead of creating division. It brought us together in a way that only mutual progress can. On top of that, the GiveDirectly staff were incredibly kind and respectful. They listened to us, speaking warmly and genuinely. It felt less like a program and more like a partnership. If I could give any advice, it would be simple: don’t change anything about the program.

First, I used $110 to buy watermelon seeds, as it's planting season, and watermelons fetch a good price. I then spent $50 to plough an acre of land to plant these seeds, ensuring the soil was ready for a strong crop. To give my plants the best chance, I invested another $50 in fertilizer and $70 in herbicides and pesticides to protect the melons from pests and diseases. I then set aside $100 to maintain the watermelon farm throughout the season. I know that with proper care and resources, this crop could bring in a solid return, helping me achieve long-term goals. With the remaining money, I paid $30 to cover overdue school fees for my daughter, who's in Form 3, ensuring she can continue her studies without interruption. Lastly, I used the rest of the cash transfer to buy essential food items for the household. This support has given me the stability to focus on farming and my family’s future, and I’m hopeful for a better year ahead.

It was a Sunday afternoon, and we had extended our usual service, which ends at 1:00 pm, for praise and worship. As part of the praise team, I stayed behind for practice. During the session, I heard my phone beep, but I resisted the urge to check it as it wasn't appropriate at the moment. Once we finished practice and returned to our seats, I finally looked at my phone. I was overjoyed to see a Mpesa notification indicating I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I remained calm throughout the rest of the day, but when I got home, I shared the exciting news with my children. I also called my spouse, who was away, to inform him of the good news. He was equally thrilled. When he returned, we sat down together to plan how to use the money wisely.

The biggest difference in our lives since receiving the transfer is the significant improvement in our tomato farming. When we received the transfer from GiveDirectly, it was a timely and much-needed boost. I used $100 of the transfer to buy two sacks of fertilizers, which were essential for ensuring a healthy and productive tomato crop. Without these fertilizers, our tomatoes would not have thrived, leading to another potential loss. The transfer from GiveDirectly saved us from this double setback and gave us hope for a successful harvest.

We usually rely on farming tomatoes to support our family and pay for our six children's education. Unfortunately, our previous tomato crop was destroyed by devastating floods, causing us a significant loss. This made us worried about how we would provide for our children's education. Determined to recover, we decided to move our tomato farming to higher ground to avoid the risk of flooding. To do this, we sold our bull. When the GiveDirectly transfer came through, it felt like a blessing. I used $100 to buy two sacks of fertilizer for the new tomato crop. Additionally, I was able to pay $50 towards the school fees for my two children in private primary school, who were at risk of missing their end-of-term exams due to unpaid fees. I promised the school to clear the remaining balance after selling the tomatoes. The rest of the money went towards buying food for my family of eight, which allowed me to focus on our farm without the distraction of burning charcoal; a tedious and time-consuming task. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for helping us through this critical time.