In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to develop the plot of land I own at the shopping center, constructing rental spaces and shops on the premises. Although I had considered starting this project earlier, my numerous responsibilities, which required significant financial resources and time, hindered progress. However, I am now delighted that our comprehensive farming activities are yielding promising results, and I anticipate a successful harvest from both the tomatoes and maize crops, which will contribute to funding the new construction. My plan is to commence the project in December and work diligently towards its completion by January, turning the plot into a thriving commercial space that benefits the local community.

GiveDirectly has proven to be highly effective in bringing about positive changes in the lives of many individuals who were facing significant challenges before receiving the transfers. The direct financial assistance has made a substantial impact, empowering people to overcome their difficulties and improve their circumstances. One area for improvement could be implementing a more systematic follow-up process where GiveDirectly representatives visit recipients to gather success stories firsthand. This would provide valuable insights into the project's outcomes and allow for better documentation and sharing of inspiring transformations. It is truly encouraging to witness how those who were once in difficult situations have experienced positive shifts, and such success stories should be widely shared to inspire others and showcase the program's effectiveness.

Upon receiving the most recent transfer from GiveDirectly, I immediately set to work on my tomatoes farm and a new piece of land that needed preparation for the upcoming planting season. With the funds, I spent $250 on completing the management practices for the tomatoes farming and getting the additional acre of land ready for planting maize, with the aim of using the crops for both home consumption and selling any surplus to cover other household bills. I spent the remaining $200, to cover labor costs for planting maize on one acre, and this included the installation of new irrigation pipes across the entire area. Having access to sufficient water for irrigation greatly facilitated our work, and we are optimistic about achieving a bountiful harvest by the end of the season, which will undoubtedly benefit my family of seven.

In the coming years and beyond, my aspiration is to sustain my tomato farming venture, as it has proven to be a lucrative investment in our area. Recognizing its potential, I intend to continue dedicating my efforts to this agricultural pursuit. Furthermore, I have plans to save the profits generated from the farming business. With these savings, my goal is to eventually construct rental properties on my plot, located in our nearby center. By establishing these rentals, I aim to generate an additional income source for my family, ensuring greater financial stability and security for the future.

Based on my opinion, GD is making a positive impact by providing beneficiaries with a lump sum amount of money. This approach has allowed us to make significant investments, and what's commendable is that the funds provided are not in the form of loans. From my observations, I have not identified any areas where the organization needs improvement, as they seem to be performing their work effectively. Additionally, I have found their employees to be highly competent in carrying out their responsibilities.

After utilizing the first transfer to invest in tomato farming, I continued to allocate $300 from the second transfer towards managing it. This included the purchase of fertilizers, pesticides, and herbicides, as well as covering labor costs. I am delighted to share that the harvest was successful, resulting in a 50% profit. This achievement has further motivated me to reinvest in the venture, so immediately following the harvest, I allocated $50 from the transfer to prepare the land for the second planting to ensure its readiness for continued farming activities. Furthermore, I used the remaining funds to pay for my child's school fees at the Kenya Medical Training College. This decision was made to ensure her uninterrupted education and to prevent any missed classes as I believe on empowering the next generation with educational opportunities..

It was in the evening, I was winding up my work when suddenly an SMS popped into my phone. On checking it, it was a GiveDirectly transfer. I was so happy that I called my wife to inform her about the good news. Immediately, I transferred all the money to her account as we had planned to use it to pay for my daughter's school fees.

Despite having arrears, my heart is at peace unlike before knowing that my daughter has gone back to school. This has given her ample time to concentrate on her studies. If not for GiveDrectly, I do not know what I could do

My daughter was about to report back for her tertiary education and she needed £400 for school fees. I did not have any cash and I didn't know where I would get it since I had previously sold the goats I had to cater for her brother's secondary education. This risked her missing classes. As soon as I received it, we spent the whole cash amounting to £200 to pay for the fee hoping to clear the balance soon.