Getting a stable source of income to raise my family of nine is a challenge I am currently facing. I often depend on casual jobs such as weeding and tomato picking to earn $3 per day, and all this goes towards food for our household. It is tough because these jobs are unreliable, and I have had to resort to charcoal burning for extra income. Recently, though, charcoal burning was affected by floods, leaving us with nowhere to practice it. It pains me deeply to see my family struggle just to put food on the table.

Last year, I planted maize on my 2-acre piece of land with the assistance of Kenya Seed Company. I was able to harvest 58 bags of maize, which not only helped me pay back the loan but also generated a profit of $840. When I received this amount in January 2024, I was overjoyed because it greatly assisted my family of 9. We used the money to buy food and also to support our children's education. It was a relief to have this income after facing challenges with casual jobs and charcoal burning.

When the river Perkerra and Molo broke their banks, my family of nine faced severe adversity. Our mud-walled house was completely destroyed, forcing us to rely on my mother-in-law for shelter. Adding to our hardship, our 2-acre maize plantation, which was our main source of hope, was swept away by the floods. It has been a struggle to get back on our feet, especially due to financial challenges. Now, with the support from GiveDirectly's transfers, there is finally a sigh of relief. I plan to spend $500 towards constructing an iron sheet-walled house for my family, providing us with a comfortable and secure shelter. Another $200 will go towards cultivating maize on our 2 acres of land, ensuring we have food for the household.The remaining funds will be used for basic needs such as education, clothing, and additional food. This support is a survival for us, helping us rebuild and regain stability after the devastating impact of the floods.