From my farming experience, I’ve learned that farming can be rewarding, despite occasional setbacks. I have been farming on a small scale, just half an acre, but I am excited about my plan to lease an additional acre of land with my final transfer. I intend to plant seed maize, as many other farmers in my area have had success with this crop. The market for seed maize is already established, and the prices are favorable, so I am optimistic about the potential profits. Furthermore, I appreciate that the Kenya Seed Company provides support throughout the planting process to ensure quality, which gives me confidence in my decision. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity and achieve my goal of meeting my family needs.

GiveDirectly excels in supporting the poor through its unconditional cash transfers, which have visibly transformed our village as people take diverse initiatives to improve their livelihoods. The unconditional nature of the funds empowers recipients to make choices that best suit their needs. However, while GiveDirectly officers do conduct follow-ups on how we spend the money, I believe there is room for improvement. If they identify individuals who misuse the funds, it would be beneficial to provide them with education on wise spending to help them make better financial decisions in the future. Overall, your approach is effective. Keep it up! 

After receiving my second transfer, I was finally able to improve our living situation. Previously, my family of five was crammed into a single room with an iron sheet roof and muddy walls. Our home was vulnerable, especially during the rains when the walls felt like they could collapse at any moment. Cooking outside was not only inconvenient but also unhygienic, and when it rained, we could not cook at all. With the $200 from my transfer, I built a one-room iron sheet house and a small kitchen, using some iron sheets I had already saved up for. In addition to improving our shelter, I wanted to secure our future, particularly concerning my children's school fees. I decided to invest in livestock by buying three female goats for $165, knowing they would multiply over time. As a crop farmer, I also allocated $70 for plowing and creating ridges for my next planting season. I plan to plant green grams next month, which I believe will provide a good yield. Food was a struggle. With the remaining money, I purchased half a bag of maize, as our previous maize crop was swept away by floods this year. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

It was a Sunday evening when I received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy and grateful to God. After a powerful and meaningful service, I received this unexpected blessing. Excitedly, I rushed home to share the good news with my family, including my four kids. The first thought that came to my mind was to solve our immediate problem—food. All I wanted was to see my children well-fed, especially after the devastating floods that had swept away everything in our village.

The biggest difference since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly is that, despite my farm being swept away by floods and leaving us with nothing to eat, my family now has enough food. I was able to use the money from GiveDirectly to buy enough food to last us for two months, ending the hunger that once plagued us. Now, I can prioritize other things, and I no longer have to do casual jobs just to get food. I'm so happy and grateful to GiveDirectly for this timely support.

Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I took time to carefully plan and prioritize my needs. I allocated $90 to buy food, a timely relief, as the transfer came just after I had been severely affected by the floods. I wasn't alone—almost everyone in the village suffered losses. Personally, my farm and chickens were swept away. When we returned from the camp where we had sought refuge, I found there was no food, no farm to harvest from, and no casual jobs to earn money. We were starving. Thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I could buy enough food to last my family for two months. Now, we eat three full meals daily, something we couldn’t do before. After securing food, I decided to invest in a sheep, spending $55. I see this as a long-term investment that will multiply over time, ensuring that when my children advance to secondary school, I will have something to rely on for their education. With the remaining money, I bought chairs, as we previously had nothing to sit on, not even for visitors. Now, I live comfortably, full of happiness and gratitude.