I plan to secure a plot on higher ground because where we currently live, we are frequently affected by floods, and our house often gets flooded. As a farmer, I want to continue my crop farming activities but also ensure my family's safety by relocating to a safer place. I intend to use the income from farming to buy this plot, and I am not too concerned about the size as long as it is sufficient to build a house. My priority is to provide a safe home for my family, which will give me peace of mind. Once I have the new plot, I will dedicate my current land solely to crop farming, and I plan to implement good agricultural practices to avoid future losses.

GiveDirectly runs its program in a highly commendable way, ensuring transparency and community involvement at every stage. They organized community meetings where we were thoroughly educated about the organization, the cash transfers, and the enrollment process, which was entirely optional. During both the enrollment and follow-up stages, their officers demonstrated genuine care and compassion. I remember during the floods, they would walk through muddy roads, sometimes getting rained on, yet they never let these challenges hinder their work. Honestly, I see no areas for improvement; my only prayer is for God to open more doors for them so they can continue helping more people.

When I received my transfer, it was a huge relief because my son, who is in secondary school, had been sent home due to unpaid school fees. The timing was perfect, as he returned home the very next morning after I got the money. He had arrears of $220, so I immediately paid $150, leaving a balance of $70, which I plan to clear with my final transfer. At the same time, my maize on three acres of land was ready for harvest, but I had lost some to floods. Thankfully, I still had some maize left on two acres, though I feared losing it due to lack of money. I had even considered borrowing, but I was fortunate enough to receive my second transfer from GiveDirectly, which I used to cover the $100 needed for harvesting, transporting, and shelling the maize. We also had an issue with seating in our home, as our family of seven only had a three-seater sofa, which I had bought with my first transfer. It wasn't enough, so I spent $100 on an additional sofa, plastic chairs, and a table. Although having maize was a blessing, it didn’t fully make us food secure. We still lacked other essentials like beans and various household items, so I spent $50 on those. I also used $40 to buy clothes and shoes for all of us, as our old ones were worn out, and we didn’t have anything decent for special occasions. The remaining amount went toward my transportation to town to purchase everything we needed.

While cleaning my clothes at home, I received a message on my phone but didn’t check it immediately. Later, I realized it was a notification of a transfer from GiveDirectly, and I was overwhelmed with excitement, quickly calling my children to share the news. The relief was immense, as I had been stressed over my son's hospital bills after months of illness, and I immediately sent some of the money to cover those expenses.

Now, after receiving the transfer, things have changed drastically. I am happy because, for the first time, I have a sofa set, which means that when people visit to check on the progress of my sick son, they can sit comfortably. It’s something I never thought I could afford, and it’s a small but significant improvement in my life. Most importantly, having food at home has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. The stress of not knowing where the next meal would come from is gone, and I have even managed to send money to help reduce my son's medical bills. This transfer has brought a sense of relief and stability that I hadn't felt in a long time. Thanks so much GiveDirectly.

For about nine months, my son had been seriously ill with chronic typhoid, undergoing multiple surgeries. The medical bills piled up so high that we had to sell nearly everything at home just to cover the costs. We sold our chickens, livestock, and even organized numerous fundraisers to raise money. Life became incredibly stressful. My husband works as a watchman guarding an office in Nairobi, but his salary is so small that it could barely make a dent in the medical bills. To make matters worse, our area flooded, and my house was destroyed, forcing me to relocate to a new place. Adjusting to life in this new location has been very challenging.When I received the cash transfer, I finally felt a sense of relief and calm. I immediately sent $50 to my husband, who has been taking care of our sick son. With part of the remaining money, I used $50 to pay school fees for my five children. Sometimes we get bursaries to help with the fees, but I also rely on farming to sell crops and cover their education. However, farming has been difficult recently due to the floods, so this money came at the right time.Additionally, my house had no chairs, so I saw it as a good idea to use $70 to buy a sofa set. This way, I can focus on other pressing needs when I receive the next transfer. Finally, I spent the last $30 on food. Getting food for my family has always been a struggle because I rely on casual jobs and burning charcoal, which is unpredictable.