This year and beyond, my goal is to venture back into farming, despite the recent floods that swept my farm away. I am determined to farm on safer ground, away from the risk of floods. I am considering either maize or watermelon farming because they are less costly than tomatoes. The thought of successfully farming and getting a good harvest fills me with happiness because it will help me keep my kids in school, provide food for my family, and make this farming endeavor sustainabl

What stood out to me about GiveDirectly is their follow-up process. They don’t ask for bribes, and they are genuinely good people. I don’t have any specific recommendations for change because I love what they are currently doing. I hope that they continue with the cash transfers just as they are.

I am grateful for the support I received from GiveDirectly. Recently, I received $450 and decided to invest $100 in buying two goats, increasing my herd to ten. I see this as a long-term investment, both for generating income and as a safety net in case of emergencies. I also used $50 to pay school fees and buy uniforms for one of my two children to ensure their education continued without interruption. The remaining $290 was allocated to farming. I bought tomato seeds and planted them, hopeful for a good harvest. Unfortunately, the recent floods that hit my village swept away my farm just as I was about to harvest. Although this was a setback, I have accepted it and remain determined to return to farming shortly, this time on safer ground away from the risk of floods.

In the next year, my goal is to embark on extensive horticulture farming to not only provide income but also ensure food security for my family of four. To initiate this project, I estimate that I will need a capital investment of $120. My plan is to save the profits from the watermelon business to accumulate the necessary funds for this new venture. By reinvesting the profits from the watermelon business, I aim to gradually save up enough capital to kickstart the horticulture farming project. This approach allows me to leverage the success of my current business to create opportunities for growth and diversification in the future. Horticulture farming presents a promising opportunity to generate income and provide nutritious food for my family. I am optimistic about the prospects of this venture and remain committed to working diligently to achieve our goals. 

I have personally experienced the transformative impact of GiveDirectly's transfers, and I have witnessed how it has uplifted lives within our community. The support provided has boosted businesses and improved the overall health and well-being of individuals and families. For my own family of four, the financial uplift has been significant. We are in a better position now compared to where we were before receiving the transfers. This support has enabled us to pursue opportunities for growth and stability that were previously out of reach. So far, I believe that GiveDirectly's approach is effective and does not require any changes. The transfers have been instrumental in bringing about positive change, and everything seems to be working well. I am grateful for the support we have received, and I am optimistic about the future thanks to GiveDirectly's continued assistance.

Upon receiving my transfers, I strategically allocated the funds to address various needs and invest in our family's future. This included $50 for my orphaned nephew's school fees, $30 for my own medication, $10 for my brother's medication, and $10 for my children's medication to ensure our health and well-being. Recognizing the importance of generating income, I invested $100 in purchasing three goats, which will serve as a sustainable source of income for my family. Furthermore, I allocated $110 towards purchasing watermelon seeds, $50 for land cultivation, $37 for casual labor, $35 for gasoline for irrigation, and the remaining funds for herbicides to support our agricultural endeavors. As a family of four relying on daily earnings from casual jobs like weeding for our $3 daily income, the transfers have been instrumental in uplifting our financial status. I am truly grateful for the support, which has enabled us to address immediate needs while also laying the foundation for long-term stability and prosperity.

While I was at home engaged in construction work, I unexpectedly received a message confirming the receipt of $200. At the time, I wasn't aware that this sum was from GiveDirectly. I awaited a reversal from Safaricom or a call from the sender, assuming it might have been a mistaken transaction. However, I overheard my neighbors discussing receiving money from GiveDirectly, prompting me to verify the sender. That's when I realized that the funds were indeed from GiveDirectly. I immediately shared this with my wife, and as a family, we were overjoyed. We had various needs within our home, and with this support, we knew we were going to address them. Thank GiveDirectly for Your immense support.

Thanks to the support from GivedDirectly, our lives have undergone a significant transformation. Previously, both my wife and I would venture out for casual jobs, hustling to make ends meet. But now, with the assistance that ensured our family had food, the dynamic has shifted. I've taken on the responsibility of seeking casual work and producing charcoal, allowing my wife to find solace at home, focusing on caring for our children, and managing the household. The change is immense, and seeing her in this new role brings me joy. We are immensely grateful for the support provided by Give directly, which has not only eased our financial burdens but has also enabled us to reorganize our lives for the better.

Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, we made several crucial purchases to improve our home. Initially, we only had one plastic chair, making it challenging for visitors and even our family to find seating. As the husband, I sat on the lone chair, while my wife perched on a broken container, and our two children sat on the floor. With the funds, we bought three additional plastic chairs at $18. We invested $23 in new utensils since the ones we owned were either broken or had lost their original colors due to age. we also purchased three water containers at $4.5. Fetching water from the river had been a daily chore, often relying on borrowed containers from our neighbors. We also spent $45 on clothes. Our worn-out clothes and shoes were long overdue for replacement. Additionally, we invested $5 in a curtain since our old one was torn, allowing unwanted eyes to peep into our home. We bought a phone for $43.25 to provide my wife with a means to stay connected while I was away. This saved us from sharing a single phone. We allocated $10 to assist my brother who was in need. With our income relying on sporadic jobs earning us $4 per day and charcoal burning, putting food on the table was a problem and from the support, we dedicated $25.25 to ensure our family had food. To address any unforeseen needs we set aside $20 as savings. The support made a profound difference in our lives.