In the coming years, my plan is to lease land and continue farming, focusing on growing green grams. Around the middle of the year, we usually plant maize, as regulated by the Kenya Seed Board. However, after that, we are free to plant whatever we choose on our lands. For me, I want to dedicate my time and resources to green grams, which I believe will do well. Additionally, when I receive the next transfer, I plan to invest in poultry rearing. Selling chickens will provide extra income to manage my farm and help me complete projects like constructing an entry gate for my compound. I have a deep passion for farming, and these investments will help me grow and secure a better future for my family.

GiveDirectly did an excellent job in several ways. The officers were very patient and treated us with kindness and respect. During the Barazas, they communicated clearly and guided us well, making the process easy to understand. I felt comfortable with how they handled everything, and their approach was very professional. As for improvements, honestly, I didn’t see anything that needs changing. The whole process went smoothly, and even when the officers came to my house, they were respectful and polite. From my experience, everything was well-organized, and I have no complaints. You're doing a great job!

When I received my second transfer, it was a huge relief for me and my family. I had already started building a permanent house with brick walls and an iron sheet roof on raised ground, far from where I used to live, where floods would often reach. But I couldn't finish it because I lacked the funds. With $280 from the transfer, I was able to buy tiles, plaster the walls, and install doors and windows. This was such an important step because my old house, made entirely of iron sheets for both the roof and walls, would always flood when it rained. I desperately needed a better place for my family. I had been stuck for a long time, but thanks to this support, we can now move into a safe and comfortable home. I used the remaining $170 to help with my maize harvest. The transfer came just when I was about to harvest, and with this money, I was able to gather 30 bags of maize. Farming is my main job, and even though my husband works for the county government, I help a lot with the farm work. The transfer made a huge difference, especially in making sure we didn’t lose any crops this season. The maize will help us with food, and any extra we can sell for income.I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for this incredible support. Without it, I don’t know how long I would have stayed stuck in that half-finished house. Now, we can relocate to a better home, and the farm is doing well too. Though we still depend on my husband’s salary for our basic needs like food, this transfer has given us a big push forward. I appreciate the help so much—it has truly changed our lives.

It was almost 4:00 PM, I was taking care of my one-acre maize farm, chasing away goats that were trying to get at my crops. While I was doing this, my phone buzzed with a new message. I quickly pulled it out of my pocket to check, and to my surprise, it was an Mpesa message indicating a receipt of $200. I had to check it twice to believe it. I was overjoyed to receive the first transfer from GD. As night fell and it got dark, I went back home, excited to share the good news with my spouse. He was equally happy. We decided to go into town the next day with our three children to get some medication for the common cold we had and to buy clothes for ourselves.

Since receiving the transfer, the biggest change in my life is that my children and I are now healthy. We had been struggling with a persistent cold that kept coming back, despite seeking treatment at our nearby public health facility. The illness had even caused chest complications for me. Thanks to the transfer, we were able to seek better medical care at a private facility, which has restored our health. Without the transfer, we would have had to seek medication on credit and repay it later, which I find uncomfortable because my spouse's salary is already being deducted from a loan we took to build our house. This loan leaves him with almost nothing for other expenses.

When we received the money, my spouse, our three children, and I immediately decided to go to town the following day to seek medical treatment. We had been suffering from a recurrent cold, brought on by the cold weather and the flooding we endured in May. Despite seeking help at our nearest public health facility, the illness kept coming back. This time, with the money, we opted for better medication at a private hospital, spending $50 on quality healthcare. I am happy to report that we have fully recovered. In addition, we used $100 to buy new clothes for the family. Previously, we could only afford second-hand clothes, but this money allowed us to buy beautiful, new outfits. Seeing my children smile in their new clothes, even ones they could proudly wear to church, melted my heart. Moreover, I purchased school track suits for $16 for my child, who was joining school for the first time. I used the remaining amount to clear our monthly milk debt from a nearby shop; we normally take it daily on credit and pay after a month.