I’m really hoping that by the end of next year, I’ll have finished paying for the piece of land I placed a deposit on. I’ve already managed to pay $150 out of the $600 total, so there’s still some way to go, but I’m optimistic. Part of my plan is to use a portion of the third transfer I expect to receive—it should cover a good chunk of what’s remaining. At the same time, I’ll continue farming because it has been a reliable source of income. The harvests have been good so far, and I believe with some hard work, they will help me raise the extra funds I need to clear the balance. Having the land fully paid off will mean a lot—it’s one step closer to my long-term goals.

When I received money from GiveDirectly, I felt relieved because they let us decide how to use it however we wanted. There were no rules forcing us to spend it in a certain way, which made things easier. They also took time to explain everything clearly, so we knew how the process worked and what to expect. I felt informed and comfortable from the beginning. I do not thing there is anything that needs to be changed in the program. Everything was done well and I cannot complain because they have changed our lives for the best.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $100 to clear my son’s Form 2 school fees arrears. It was a relief because his studies had been interrupted, and now he can focus without the fear of being sent home. I also saw an opportunity to invest, so I bought two sheep for $100. They are easy to maintain, and with time, they will multiply, giving me a sustainable way to grow my income. Next, I used $80 to plough two acres of land and spent $25 on maize seeds, which I have already planted. With the rains coming, I am hopeful for a good harvest that will not only feed my family but also provide surplus for sale. I believe agriculture is key to improving our household’s stability, and I wanted to make sure we didn’t waste this planting season. Finally, I allocated $100 to pay for a piece of land I had previously made a deposit on. Owning land is a long-term goal for me, and I am determined to complete the payment soon. With the remaining amount, I bought essential food items to keep us going. I feel more at ease now, knowing that we are food secure and on the right path toward achieving our goals.

On that particular day, I had taken my two cows and two sheep to a distant forest for grazing. I returned home around 4:00 pm, feeling extremely exhausted and hungry. Upon arriving home, I went straight to the kitchen to light a fire and prepare tea to ease my hunger. While tending to the fire, I heard my phone beep with an SMS notification. I quickly checked to see whose message it was. To my immense joy, it was an Mpesa SMS informing me that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. The happiness that filled my heart was immeasurable. This meant I could send my son, who had been home for a week due to unpaid school fees, back to school. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for bringing hope and relief to our family.

The biggest difference in my life since receiving the transfer from GiveDirectly is the immense relief and joy of having my son back in school. He had been home for a week because I could nt pay his fees. It was heartbreaking to see him every day, knowing I couldn't do anything. Our sheep had just given birth, and the other was too young to sell, so I had no way to raise the money. This was especially worrying since my son is in his final year of secondary school, and missing classes could affect his performance in the upcoming exams. GiveDirectly came through for us just in time. With the transfer, I was able to pay his school fees, and he is now back in school, focusing on his studies. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for bringing hope to our family

My spouse died in 2022, leaving me with the heavy task of taking care of our six children. All of them are still in school, and life has been incredibly challenging as I juggle between doing casual farm work and farming our 3.5 acres of land. My goal has always been to cover my children's education and provide food for them. Unfortunately, this year has been the worst. Recent floods swept away all the maize seeds I had planted, which I had hoped would help keep my children in school. This loss was devastating. When I received the transfer from GiveDirectly, it felt like a relief. I used $30 to prepare my 0.5-acre plot of land, which was partly unaffected by the floods, to plant tomatoes. My in-laws generously gave me a goat to sell for the seedlings, and I am happy to say the tomatoes are now one week old. I also used $70 to pay my son's outstanding school fees, allowing him to return to school and continue his studies. Additionally, I used $45 to buy a bed and a mattress for myself, as I had been sleeping on old rugs on the ground. I also bought two plastic chairs and a table for $15 since we lacked proper seating at home. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family.