I have about five acres of land, but due to financial challenges, I usually rent out about two acres to get some capital for planting the remaining acres. My plan is to stop leasing out this land so that I can fully use it for farming. I am currently waiting for the water to completely recede after the floods before I begin planting. Once the land is ready, I plan to plant maize and vegetables. I will use my final transfer to fund the planting, and from the income I make, I plan to start a business buying and selling vegetables. This way, I can continue crop farming and manage my business, no longer relying on charcoal production, which I want to stop because it is unsustainable and tedious.

GiveDirectly has truly uplifted us through the cash transfers, which have made a significant impact on our lives. During enrollment, GiveDirectly officers were very organized, and the process was smooth from start to finish. It was especially commendable that they did not rely on community leaders for deciding who could be enrolled, ensuring fairness and transparency. Instead, the entire process was handled directly by GiveDirectly staff, which ensured that the selection was impartial. I see no areas for improvement; I just encourage GiveDirectly to continue supporting more people using their approach as it is effective.

When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was clear my son's high school fee arrears of $200. He had been sent home multiple times and often missed classes because we couldn't afford to pay. I rely on charcoal production to make a living, but with a young daughter to care for, I could not go to work. The transfer allowed me to settle the fees, ensuring my son could attend school. In addition, I decided to invest in livestock, as it is something that has helped me in the past, especially when I need to pay fees. Unfortunately, a disease outbreak this year reduced my livestock to fewer than ten. To diversify my income and prepare for future needs, I bought three goats for $60 each. I see this as a long-term investment, knowing that as the goats multiply, I can sell them and use the money for things like school fees and other household expenses. Food was also a major challenge for my family of seven children. With my crops destroyed by floods and my dependence on charcoal production, it was difficult to provide for them. On top of that, my husband has many wives, so he provides very little support. I spent $70 from the transfer on food, which greatly eased the burden of feeding my children and helped us get through this difficult time. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

It was a delightful Sunday. I was attending a women’s group meeting, discussing our plans, when my phone suddenly vibrated. Checking the notification, I saw it was an M-Pesa message. Excitement surged through me as I stepped away from the noise to make a call and share the good news with my husband. He was equally thrilled but suggested we discuss our private matters when I got home. Once I arrived, we sat down together and immediately used $60 to pay my son's school fees, ensuring he could continue his education without the risk of being sent home.

Our area was severely flooded, causing extensive damage to my home and sweeping away my 5 hectares of maize and butternut. I felt deeply embarrassed and stressed, with no place to stay. I decided to relocate and rent a house at a nearby center. Life became very difficult, but receiving this unconditional cash gave me a glimmer of hope. Now, I have enough food at home, which has alleviated some of my stress. My son is comfortably attending school. Without GiveDirectly’s support, I fear I might have fallen into a deep depression, as I cannot bear seeing my children suffer while I have the ability to work and earn money. I am sincerely happy and thankful, and I feel close to overcoming poverty, especially when I receive the second transfer.

Rearing seven children has been challenging for me. I am not employed; I primarily rely on charcoal burning, producing five bags per week and selling each for $7 to $8, depending on the season. Prices and demand are higher during the rainy season. Life has never been easy. My husband, who is a polygamous man and works as a carpenter, does not earn enough to cover the expenses for two families, though he sometimes helps with school fees. Upon receiving this cash, I used $60 to pay my son's school fees, as he had accumulated significant arrears and the teachers were frequently calling to ask for payment. The recent floods severely affected me, forcing me to relocate and bringing illness to my family. I became too sick to collect charcoal, so I used $100 to buy enough food to ensure my children had enough while I recovered. With the remaining $15, I looked for birth certificates for my three younger children to ensure we are prepared if the teachers request them.