My most immediate goals for this year and the next are focused on making my family happy and secure. First, I plan to buy my children good clothes for the festive season so they can feel happy and enjoy the celebrations. I also intend to lease land for the Kenya Seed Company maize program early next year, as this will help me generate income through farming. Additionally, I aim to save more money for emergencies, ensuring my family is prepared for any unexpected challenges. The upcoming third transfer from GiveDirectly will make all these plans possible. The thought of achieving these goals fills me with gratitude, as it means I can provide for my family’s needs while creating a sense of joy and security, especially for my children during the festive season.

What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is their cash program, which allowed me to address my needs in the best way possible. The freedom to decide how to use the funds has had a significant impact on my life and my family's well-being. I deeply appreciate this approach, as it empowers recipients to make choices that best suit their unique situations. My recommendation for GiveDirectly is to consider sending additional transfers beyond the third and final one. This would enable us to experience even greater transformation and continue improving our lives in meaningful ways.

Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly felt like a lifeline to me. I have two children in university, and the burden of paying their school fees, rent, and upkeep is huge. I am truly thankful for GiveDirectly because I was able to use $200 to pay their school fees, which allowed them to continue with their education smoothly. This also relieved me of the worry about unpaid fees, enabling me to focus on my daily activities. I used $100 to harvest the green grams I planted using the first transfer. Since it was through the Kenya Seed Program, I am now waiting for payment, and I am hopeful that I will receive it by January, allowing me to invest more in my children's education. Lastly, I used $100 to buy a television for my children, so they can enjoy being at home and be entertained. The rest of the money went towards stocking up on food, ensuring my family had enough to eat.

I was at home with my children when I received a message from GiveDirectly confirming that I had received $200. I was so happy because I was broke and facing many challenges. My first thought was to use the money to pay the remaining school fees so that my child, who is joining the university, can get their secondary school certificate. This certificate is a requirement when enrolling in a university.

The biggest change since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been my child's education. I am proud to have a child in university, which is a huge accomplishment for our family. This was made possible by GiveDirectly’s support. I used the transfer to clear the remaining balance of my child’s secondary school fees, allowing him to get his certificate. Without it, he would have missed the opportunity to join university, and I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream come true.

After receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I had already planned how to use the money to improve my life and my family's. My son was about to join university, but I hadn’t cleared his secondary school fees. This made it hard for him to get his secondary school certificate, which is needed to enroll in university. I used $100 to clear the fees, and now my son has started his first year of university, which makes me very proud. Next, I used $50 to lease one acre of land for pea farming. The crop is almost ready for harvest, and prices are good in the market. I plan to use the money from the harvest to pay school fees and buy a cow. I also used $50 to repair my kitchen and the floor of my house. The recent floods had left the floor muddy, and I had trouble cooking during the rainy season. Now, with my kitchen improved, I no longer worry when it rains. As a single mother, life can be tough, but thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to plan and meet my most urgent needs.