Having already leased land for farming, my next goal is to plant maize. This endeavor will not only provide food for my family but also generate extra income to support our needs. I plan to use seeds from the Kenya Seed Company to ensure a productive harvest. To make this dream a reality, I will use the final transfer from GiveDirectly to cover the costs of planting and maintaining the farm. The income from this farm will be particularly important as my eldest child transitions to junior secondary school. I am committed to using the proceeds to ensure the transition is smooth and have everything they need for a successful start. This plan gives me hope and motivation, knowing that farming will help secure a brighter future for my family.

What I like most about GiveDirectly is its inclusive enrollment process, which ensures that many deserving people receive support. I also appreciate that their cash program is not a loan, allowing recipients to use the money freely without the burden of repayment. This approach has made a real difference in my life and the lives of others in my community. My recommendation is for GiveDirectly to enroll even more people, as this program has the power to transform lives and create lasting positive change. I am truly grateful for their work and hope they continue reaching more individuals in need.

I was overjoyed when I received $450 from GiveDirectly. At the time, I was broke, but I had already planned how to use the money wisely. First, I spent $240 to buy four sheep, marking the start of a long-term investment. Owning sheep was a new venture for me, and I am confident that as they reproduce and grow into a larger flock, they will provide me with the means to face future challenges without worry. Next, I used $100 to lease land where I plan to plant maize early next year with seeds from the Kenya Seed Company. This farming initiative will not only help me generate extra income but also address the urgent food needs of my family. When I received this transfer, I had already planted tomatoes using the first transfer, so I allocated $50 to buy pesticides to ensure a healthy harvest. This will further strengthen my food supply and income. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy food and clothes for my three children. Despite not having a harvest due to the recent floods, we now have enough food to sustain us, and my children feel supported and included. This support has brought hope and relief to my family, and I am incredibly grateful for it.

It was on the 14th, and I had gone about my daily duties doing casual labor. On my way back, some villagers asked if I had received the money from GiveDirectly. I hadn't, so I told them no, explaining that I had left my phone at home with my husband. As soon as I got back, my husband greeted me with a huge smile and told me the good news—we had received the money! I was overwhelmed with joy and couldn’t hide it. We had already made a plan to use the money to build a pit latrine, something we desperately needed but hadn’t been able to afford.

Before we received the cash from GiveDirectly, our house was in such poor shape that people would refer to it as a kiosk, and it hurt my daughters. They were so embarrassed that they wouldn’t even bring their friends home, opting instead to take them to their grandmother’s place, since her house looked much better than ours. But after getting the money and redoing the house, everything changed. My daughters are now proud to call this place their home. They bring their friends over with confidence, and when we’re passing by on the road, they even point to the house and tell people it's theirs—something they would have never done before.

When we received the unconditional cash transfer, our first thought was to build a pit latrine, something we had been needing for a long time. With the $140 we received, we bought 4 iron sheets, posts, cement, wire mesh, nails, and frames, intending to start the construction. However, when we calculated the remaining costs for ballast and labor, we realized that we didn't have enough money to complete the project. So, we decided to change plans. We used the 4 iron sheets to improve a part of our house that didn't look good. The house was once a small kiosk, and its outward appearance was something we had wanted to fix for a while. With the rest of the money, we purchased tomato seeds, which was a timely investment since we had already ploughed the farm. Growing vegetables wasn’t an option because the market was flooded, but tomatoes are different. They grow fast and sell well, so we’re hopeful. Once harvested, the income from selling the tomatoes will help us pay for my daughter's school fees. She's in Grade 6 now and will be joining Junior High next year, so the money will be essential to cover her education costs.