I’m hoping that in the next year, I will have moved out of the place I currently live in. To make that happen, I need to finish paying for the piece of land I’ve been working towards and begin construction on my new house. With the third transfer I’ll receive, I’m going to use half of it to clear the balance on the land. That way, I can finally call it mine and start working on the house. Once the beans in the farm are ready, I’ll sell them and use the money to fund the building. It’s going to be a slow process, but one step at a time, I know I’ll get there. I am very determined and optimistic and also aware of the challenges ahead but fully committed to seeing this dream through.

When GiveDirectly first approached us, I wasn’t sure what to expect, but their staff treated us with so much kindness and respect. They spoke to us in a way that made us feel heard and valued, answering every question patiently, no matter how many times we asked. Their friendliness made it easy to trust the process, and they never rushed us or made us feel like we were a burden. Everything about the program was explained clearly, from how the funds would reach us to what to do if we encountered any issues. I liked that there were no complicated requirements—just honest support with no strings attached. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about GiveDirectly. It’s perfect as it is, and I appreciate the way they handled everything.

The first thing I did when I received the transfer was put down a $170 deposit on half an acre of land, priced at $550. I had already paid $180 from the first transfer, so I’m getting closer to owning the plot. The place we currently live floods every rainy season, so buying this land means a safer home for my family. I also spent $126 on iron sheets, which I’ll use to build a new house on the land once I finish paying for it. Having a proper house will make a big difference for us, especially since we’ve dealt with so many problems during the rainy seasons. In addition, I leased another half-acre for $40 to grow beans, which will help us secure food and income in the coming months. I feel more hopeful knowing that I can plan ahead like this. With $30, I bought food staples, including maize, to keep us going for now. I’ve also set aside the remainder of the money to cover plowing and irrigation for the upcoming planting season. Every bit of planning is helping me secure a better future for my family. I am grateful for these opportunities because, with these steps, I believe we are finally moving toward a more stable and comfortable life.

I was in our hometown around 3 pm, coming from the hospital because I was feeling unwell. I heard a message notification and checked my phone, only to see that I had received money from GiveDirectly. I was so happy! We had just returned home after being displaced by floods, and I was stressed. My wish was to secure a plot somewhere else to avoid this happening again in the future. I knew it was going to be possible after receiving the money.

My source of income, which is casual jobs and charcoal production to provide for my kids, couldn't allow me to save anything. The recent rains caused floods, bringing me a lot of stress when water broke into our home at midnight. I was alone with the kids, and our lives were in danger. This made me wish I could secure land elsewhere not usually affected by floods, but I didn't have the means to do so. Receiving GiveDirectly's support turned my wish into reality. I started the journey towards purchasing land in another location by making a $200 deposit, believing I would complete the balance with the next transfers. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

I have been relying on casual jobs and charcoal production to sustain my family of two, but it wasn't reliable. To diversify my income, I decided to try crop farming. Using my small savings, I rented half an acre of land and took a $150 loan to plant seed maize. Unfortunately, I lost it all to recent floods, leaving me with a debt to the Kenya Seed Company. This broke me. Additionally, the floods damaged our house, and I lost my household items and remaining furniture. The floods occurred at night, and all we could do was run for our lives, leaving us homeless and ending up in a camp. When the floods stopped, I returned and temporarily repaired our house, where we are now living, though it's not in good condition. Remembering the risk we encountered frightens me, and being alone with my two children made it even more risky. When I received money from GiveDirectly, I decided to look for land. I found nearly an acre for $850, and with my first transfer, I paid a $200 deposit, planning to clear the remaining amount with my next transfers. I would rather spend it all securing land than risk our lives in the future.