In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to enhance my farming activities. Within a month, I anticipate harvesting maize from my three-acre plot. Following the maize harvest, I plan to cultivate beans. Depending on the water levels in the nearby river, which we rely on for irrigation due to unpredictable rains, I will farm either the entire three acres or just one acre. The income generated from selling the beans will cover next year's school fees for my two children, ensuring their education is secure.

GiveDirectly has done an excellent job by providing us with unconditional cash transfers. This approach has allowed individuals to address their unique and pressing needs directly. Thanks to this, I was able to relocate and build a new house on safer ground, away from the flood risks that destroyed our previous home. I also appreciate how the transfer was sent directly to our M-Pesa accounts. This method ensures that all the money reaches the intended recipients without any interference or bias from local leaders. In my experience, GiveDirectly has been outstanding, and I have no suggestions for improvement. Just keep up the good work!

The second transfer helped me build a good house for my family. With the recent transfer, I focused on improving the living conditions inside our home. First, I purchased a sofa seat and six plastic chairs for $54. Previously, I had no proper seating, so I had to borrow chairs from neighbours when I had visitors, which was embarrassing. Now, we have a comfortable and inviting space for guests. I also bought a bed and mattress for $90 for my children. They used to share one small bed, which was uncomfortable and risky. Now, they each have their own space and can sleep comfortably. Additionally, I replaced my old, worn-out mattress with a new one for $40, ensuring that I can rest well too. To support my children's education, I used $80 to clear fee arrears for my two children in secondary school. This allows them to focus on their studies without the worry of being sent home for unpaid fees. I also invested in our future by buying a goat for $50, adding to my herd of eight. Goats are a good investment because they can multiply, and selling them can help cover pressing needs such as school fees or buying farm inputs. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family of six, ensuring we had enough to eat.

My goal for this year and the years to come is to make my farming endeavor sustainable. Thanks to GiveDirectly's support, I am now able to cultivate a two-acre farm. Before GiveDirectly, I could only manage one acre, but now I can comfortably farm two acres. Farming is sometimes risky because of floods and droughts, but there is water in the river now, so I can irrigate when needed. I plan to use the last transfer from GiveDirectly to make this endeavor a success. My plan is to use the harvest to ensure food security at home, making sure we have enough to eat. I will sell the surplus to pay school fees for my two kids and maybe buy some more goats. The thought of this fills me with joy and gratitude.

GiveDirectly has done very well here in Baringo, especially in agriculture. People have used their unconditional cash to invest in farming, which helps solve the food problem. The surplus can be sold to meet various needs. What stood out for me is the respectful nature of GiveDirectly officers. They explain their program in detail and in simple language so everyone can understand. All I want is to see them continue with cash transfers and not change their approach.

Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly was a blessing during a time of great sorrow. The recent floods had caused severe destruction, sweeping away my household items and farm, leaving me with nothing. This money brought a smile to my face after all the hardship I had endured. Before receiving help from GiveDirectly, I had secured land elsewhere, but I lacked the funds to build a home. With $420 of the money, I built a nice home for me and my two kids on higher, safer ground. This ended the risk of future floods for us. Additionally, we had no food to eat after fleeing our home due to the floods. I used $20 to buy food for my family. I am deeply thankful for the change GiveDirectly has brought to my life. I can now smile without fear of future flood trauma.

When I got my first payment, I was at home doing chores. But I didn't see it for two days because my phone was off. I used to take it far away to charge. After two days, I went to get my phone. I gave it to my helper to check if the money had arrived because I can't read messages. I never went to school, so reading is hard for me. When he checked, the money was there. I was so happy because I got the money just in time. My kids were sent home from school because I hadn't paid their fees. So, the first thing I did was pay their fees so they could go back to school right away.

Since I got my first transfer, my life has improved a lot. I never imagined I'd live in a house made of iron sheets. I've always lived in a house made of grass and mud since I was born, even before I got married. I've already bought iron sheets, and I'm sure when I get my second transfer, I'll build a really nice house and live comfortably, sleeping well. Thank you so much, GiveDirectly, for changing my life.

Life on my side hasn't been easy; struggling to meet our basic needs has been tough. I have two kids, my daughter, and my grandchild. My husband is very old and sick; he's been suffering from tuberculosis for a long time and his eyesight is poor. But even though he can't see well, he helps by collecting charcoal and taking care of our grandchildren when I'm away doing casual jobs.When I received my transfer, I paid $30 for my kids' school fees—both my daughter's and my daughter-in-law's because she's also in school. Usually, I rely on farming to pay for their fees, but this year we didn't harvest anything due to the prolonged drought.After that, I used $50 to buy iron sheets. I decided to buy them in pieces because the money wasn't enough. When I get the second transfer, I'll buy more iron sheets and build a new house. The one we're living in now is made of mud and grass. When it rains, it leaks from the roof, and it's almost falling apart.Additionally, I spent $50 on food for my kids so we'd have enough to eat and I wouldn't have to work so hard burning charcoal. Finally, I bought one goat with the remaining money because I already had one, and I thought it would be a good idea for them to graze together.We're really grateful to GiveDirectly for helping us. Life used to be very hard, but now I can see some changes and improvements. We hope that by the end of the transfers, we'll be living a much better life.