I am planning to open a kiosk using my final transfer, as I believe it will provide a crucial alternative income source for my family. This year has been a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be; we lost our entire crop to floods, which severely impacted our finances. By starting this business, I aim to diversify our income, ensuring that we are not solely reliant on crop farming. I envision the kiosk not just as a source of income, but also as a way to serve my community by providing essential goods that they need daily. Ultimately, this venture will help create a more stable future for my family.

GiveDirectly does well in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients through Mpesa, effectively eradicating the involvement of intermediaries. This approach ensures that the funds reach those in need while enhancing transparency. The officers involved in the program are respectful and humble, making recipients feel valued and supported. Additionally, having the money sent directly to our phones allows for easy access. During the initial meeting, we were educated about wise spending and cautioned against using the funds for illegal activities, which further promotes responsible use of the assistance. I have not identified any areas for improvement, as the program has been efficient and impactful.

I began my journey of building a new house with my first cash transfer. I used that initial amount to buy a few materials to start the construction. After receiving my second transfer, I purchased the remaining building materials, including iron sheets and posts, which were essential for completing the structure. My previous house had an iron sheet roof and muddy walls, but during the floods, those walls were severely damaged; you could see right through to the outside. Repairing it had proven to be a challenge, which motivated me to build a new house on raised ground to avoid future flooding. I constructed a one-roomed iron sheet house that cost me $420, while the remaining $30 went toward buying food. Since we lost our crops to the floods, we have been relying solely on casual jobs and charcoal production to meet our needs, but that income is often inconsistent and unreliable.

I was at a prayer day for my cousin at Emining Secondary School when I heard my phone buzz with a message notification. Curious, I checked it and saw that it was from GiveDirectly, confirming the receipt of cash transfer. I couldn't believe it—I was so excited! I immediately told my husband, and he was just as happy. We both knew that this was the start of something big for us. Finally, we could begin building a house of our own, a dream we had been holding onto for so long.

When we moved here in 2021, we had big dreams of building a better house, but with our limited resources, it felt like it would take us a lifetime to accomplish. We were determined, but the progress was slow but then,  GiveDirectly stepped in, and everything changed.The biggest difference I've seen is the tangible progress we've made. Before, the idea of buying iron sheets for the roof was just that—an idea, something we hoped for but couldn't quite reach. But now, with the funds from GiveDirectly, we’ve been able to purchase them, and seeing those sheets stacked and ready to go feels like seeing light at the end of the tunnel. It’s a sign that our dream of a better home is finally coming true, and that gives us so much hope and motivation to keep going.

My house had been badly damaged when the floods came, with the mud walls collapsing and leaving us exposed. I used $132 to buy 12 iron sheets as the first step toward building a more durable home. While I still need about 32 sheets to complete the house, these 12 sheets are a good start toward making sure my family has a safe place to live. My goal is to replace the mud walls with iron sheets so we won’t have to worry about the next rainy season. With $35, I bought maize to ensure my family wouldn't go hungry. At the time, we had nothing to eat, and my children needed food. This purchase was crucial for us to be food secure, especially since we rely on casual jobs, which are not always available. The remainder of the money, I spent on transport to town to withdraw the cash and on a simple lunch while I was there. The trip was necessary to access the funds, and I was careful to stretch every dollar as much as possible. The cash transfer has been a lifeline for us, helping to address our most immediate needs in the face of uncertainty.