I want to plant maize that will help me pay school fees for my children next year. I have three children in school, and they all need school fees which makes that my priority. Earlier this year, I harvested maize and sold it to Kenya Seed. I’m still waiting for their payment, but they promised to release it in November. Once I get that money, I’ll use it to prepare for the next farming season. It will cover the seeds, fertilizer, and other farm inputs I need. After I complete the farming expenses, I will use the third transfer of the payment to pay dowry for my wife. It’s something I’ve been planning for a while now, and it will be good to finally get it done. I just pray everything goes well. If the rains come on time and the harvest is good, I’ll manage to achieve both—keep the children in school and honor my commitment to my wife’s family.

The process was clear from start to finish—everything was well explained, and I didn’t have to pay a single shilling to be part of it. The best part was the freedom we were given to spend the money however we wanted. Whether it was buying food, repairing a roof, or starting a small business, the decision was entirely ours. That flexibility meant we could address our most urgent needs instead of being told what was best for us. Honestly, I don't think anything needs to be changed about the program. The way GiveDirectly treats us—with dignity and trust—has empowered many in my community. I hope they keep things exactly the way they are because it works. People here now believe they have a chance at building something better for themselves, and that’s priceless.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was buy three sheep and three goats, spending $180 on each. I didn’t have any livestock before, and I knew they would be a good investment. These animals will multiply over time, giving me a safety net. If any emergencies arise, I can easily sell one to handle the situation without too much stress. I also used $48 to purchase household items, mostly utensils, since what we had were worn out. It felt good to replace the old ones with newer, more durable ones. Now, cooking and serving meals is much easier, and I don’t have to worry about things breaking mid-use. With the remaining amount, I covered the costs of harvesting my maize. It was time to bring in the crop, and I needed money for both labor and transportation to the drying area. The support came just in time because I wasn’t sure how I’d manage the harvest on my own. Now everything is safely stored, and I feel more at ease heading into the next season.

I was on my way to the nearby center to sort some things when I heard a message. After checking, I confirmed that I had received $183 from GiveDirectly. I was expecting the transfer but didn’t know the exact date. This warmed my heart. I immediately called my father to confirm if he had received his, and he did. We were both equally happy and felt this was indeed a blessing from God. Returning home that evening, I informed my wife, who was so excited. This gave us assurance of fulfilling our intended plans. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

Living in a one-room house with part of the walls made of iron sheets and part of mud for about 11 years has been stressful. I felt ashamed of myself as the man of the house whenever people passed near my home. With visitors, I felt bad and sometimes feared bringing them home. Sleeping arrangements were limited for my family of six. Having a better house remained an unfulfilled dream all these years until I received money from GiveDirectly, which restored my hope. I have started building plans by purchasing the first batch of materials and hope to commence construction with my second transfer. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

For about 11 years, I have been living in a one-room house. Part of the walls were iron sheets, and part were made of mud. Our living conditions were uncomfortable, as the muddy walls often broke, and my wife had to repair them frequently. The house was small, and as a family of six, our sleeping arrangements were limited. My older children slept in our small grass-thatched, muddy kitchen, while my wife and I utilized the space with our two younger children. When visitors came, it made things even tougher for us. For all these years, I have been unable to improve our living conditions due to financial constraints. I do casual jobs and sometimes make charcoal with my wife, but the income is limited and opportunities are inconsistent. To supplement our income, we do crop farming, but drought, which is common in our area, often affects our yields. During heavy rains like recently, we lost our crops to floods. Generally, climate change has always affected our income from crop production, making our dream of having a better house seem impossible. When I received my first transfer, I decided to start building a house. I bought materials worth $130, planning to continue construction with the next transfer. I spent $5 on fees for my child in elementary school. My wife bought three chickens for $12 to help generate income later by selling eggs and chicken as their numbers increase. Finally, the remaining money we used to buy a few food items and second-hand clothes.