My goal for the coming years is to finish building my house, creating a secure and independent place to live. I also plan to save from my salary to buy my own cows so that I can have my own livestock to care for, adding to my income. In addition, I want to continue farming and focus on planting Kenya seed, which I know yields good crops. This way, I can support myself without relying on others. Having my own cows and a productive farm will give me the stability I’ve always wanted. My hope is to become fully self-sufficient and improve my quality of life step by step.

GiveDirectly has done well by employing officers who are very kind and approachable, always speaking to us respectfully and following up regularly. They make sure we understand everything about the program, which makes me feel supported and valued. I appreciate that they take the time to check on us, ensuring that the assistance is truly helpful. So far, I haven’t noticed anything negative about the organization. They should continue to maintain this level of care and connection with the community. It truly makes a difference to feel that they are invested in helping us improve our lives.

For a long time, I had been staying with my in-laws, which was challenging, but I had no other choice after floods forced me to leave my home. Living with relatives wasn’t ideal, and I felt like I lacked independence, even though they helped me with food when I had none. With my unconditional cash transfer, I saw an opportunity to create my own space, so I used $300 to buy a piece of land where I could finally build a home of my own.I had already started building a house but lacked the funds to complete it. With $150, I bought iron sheets, along with materials for windows and doors to secure the structure. This investment gives me a sense of hope and stability, knowing I can eventually move out and avoid the difficulties of depending on relatives. The idea of having my own place brings me peace, as I no longer have to worry about being displaced by floods or living on someone else’s land. Life has not been easy—I live alone and earn $45 a month from herding cows for my relatives, which barely sustains me. I have never married and have no dependents, so this transfer has truly changed my life. I now have a way to become self-sufficient and no longer have to rely entirely on others. The transfer has been a blessing, allowing me to create a better future and a place to truly call my own.

While I was on the farm harvesting maize with my in-law, I heard a message notification on my phone. I quickly checked it, and to my excitement, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. Overjoyed, I immediately shared the news with my in-law, who had received his transfer earlier than I did. The first thought that came to my mind was to rebuild my house, which had been destroyed by the floods. Thank you, GiveDirectly!

The GiveDirectly transfer has made a huge difference in my life. After my house was destroyed by the floods, I had no choice but to live with my relatives. I had no money, as I lost almost my entire maize farm to the floods, which was my only source of income, making rebuilding seem impossible. But when I received my first transfer, it gave me hope. I was able to buy some materials, and with the second transfer, I plan to purchase the remaining materials and finally rebuild my home. I'm truly grateful to GiveDirectly.

My house was destroyed by floods, forcing me to live with my relatives in a nearby location. I couldn't rebuild because I didn’t have the money. I had been relying on crop farming, but I lost almost all of my maize crops to the floods. When I received my first transfer, I decided to start the plan of rebuilding my house by purchasing materials worth $60, with plans to buy the remaining materials and begin construction after my second transfer. Given my experience with crop farming and the losses I have faced, I chose to diversify my income by buying three goats for $90. I had not owned any before and had been relying solely on farming. Goats do well in our area and multiply quickly, which will help me meet future needs by selling some if challenges like floods arise again. Additionally, I was running low on food and only had maize, so I spent $16 on food items like beans and other essentials. The remaining amount went towards hospital expenses, as I had been dealing with chest issues when I received the transfer. I spent $16 on treatment. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support!