Despite the obstacles posed by drought, my hope for the forthcoming year and beyond revolves around delving into cash crop cultivation. To achieve this, my plan involves acquiring a generator to facilitate water pumping to our plot of land located near the river. Although the prospect is somewhat challenging due to my daughter's impending transition to secondary school, I am considering the possibility of obtaining a new loan as a means to fund my agricultural endeavors.

GiveDirectly intervened at a time of severe poverty compounded by a prolonged drought that had persisted for over a year without rainfall. Our agricultural pursuits were crippled, but with the arrival of the funds, a considerable transformation ensued, for which I am truly appreciative. We are particularly grateful for the unrestricted nature of the cash transfer, which allows us the autonomy to allocate it as needed. GiveDirectly's initiative provided exceptional support, and I believe it would be beneficial for them to enhance pre-transfer education, aiding individuals in making prudent expenditures and investments that can yield sustainable income beyond the project's duration.

I had been repaying a loan of $50 per month acquired from Kenya Women Finance Trust, and as the final installment approached, I was eager to settle it to free myself from the burden of debt. I successfully made the last payment of $53, relieving myself of any potential penalties for default. Furthermore, I committed $50 to purchase food items, supplementing our family's available sustenance for our nine members. Given my recent completion of a new house for my children, I decided to invest $65 in an additional bed and mattress, providing comfortable sleeping arrangements for three of my children who were previously on the floor. Additionally, I settled a $53 arrear for my daughter, who attends a private primary school, ensuring her uninterrupted focus on studies throughout the term. I am content that after spending $80 on household goods, these items continue to be of service to us. The remaining $150 was allocated to the ongoing construction of a pit latrine, a project that not only enhances our personal hygiene but also contributes to community well-being by ensuring proper waste disposal.

In the upcoming years, my family's upcoming venture will involve establishing a goat-rearing project. I strongly believe that this endeavor will significantly address my financial requirements. Previously, initiating such a project proved challenging due to financial constraints. However, with my third transfer, I intend to turn this dream into a tangible reality. Most importantly, I am filled with gratitude for the remarkable achievements I have accomplished thus far.

The operations carried out by GiveDirectly were highly informative and enlightening. The field officers did an excellent job of explaining the program, imparting essential knowledge, and providing us with ample opportunities to express our opinions. Throughout the compound sensitization meetings, we were treated with equality, utmost respect, and without any hint of bias. From my perspective, I couldn't identify any issues with the program's operations, so I believe there are no areas that require improvement.

Upon receiving the transfer, my immediate focus was to construct a house for my children. This was our most urgent requirement at the time, as the nine of us were cramped in a single-room dwelling that felt small and suffocating. Thankfully, I was able to spend $430 from the funds specifically for this purpose. Previously, such an endeavor seemed unattainable as our meager earnings were primarily used towards essential expenses like food and school fees. As a married individual with seven children, my husband and I relied on farming and sporadic odd jobs for sustenance. Unfortunately, the unpredictable weather conditions in our region often hindered our income, as we had to wait for rainfall. With the remaining $20, I managed to procure some much-needed food, a task that would have been impossible without the cash transfer. I am immensely grateful for your support, as it has greatly enhanced our living conditions.

I remember the exact moment I received my GiveDirectly transfer. I was out running errands at the local shopping center when my phone rang loudly, alerting me of the transfer. It was a moment of pure joy and excitement as I realized the potential impact this money could have on my life. I couldn't wait to start planning and turning my dreams into reality. I shared the good news with my neighbor, who also received a transfer, and together we began to brainstorm how to best utilize the funds.

The most life-changing aspect of the GiveDirectly transfer for me was being able to construct a comfortable place for my children to sleep. This will greatly enhance their quality of life once it is finished. In addition to this, I was able to use the funds to buy sufficient food for my family and pay off a longstanding debt. I am thrilled and deeply appreciative of the assistance, which has brought immense joy to our lives and considerably raised our living standards.

Although my husband and I work as farmers, the income we generate is insufficient to sustain our family of seven. Fortunately, the financial assistance we received from GiveDirectly has been a great blessing, allowing us to comfortably meet our daily needs, particularly about food, which had been a significant challenge before. With the transfer, I was able to buy food supplies worth $63, Thereafter I paid back a debt of $53 and finally build a $240 house for my children to ensure they had a comfortable place to sleep. Previously, we were all cramped in one small room, but now my children can sleep comfortably. As a parent, it gives me a sense of fulfillment to know that we have enough food in the house, which was difficult to achieve before due to our unstable income. The monthly support we receive has truly transformed our lives, and we are incredibly grateful for it.