Moving forward, my plan for the upcoming year and beyond is to focus on expanding my maize farming activities. With the experience and resources gained from previous farming endeavors, I aim to increase the scale and productivity of my maize cultivation. By maximizing yields and adopting efficient farming practices, I anticipate generating higher profits from the maize harvest. Furthermore, I intend to use the savings accumulated from maize farming to venture into a cereal business. This additional income stream will involve buying, selling, and trading various types of cereals. By leveraging my knowledge of the local market and establishing strategic partnerships, I aim to create a successful and sustainable enterprise that will further support my financial goals.

In my opinion, GiveDirectly (GD) has been instrumental in improving our economic circumstances through the transfers they provide. The financial support we receive has significantly uplifted our standard of living and enabled us to access resources and opportunities that were previously out of reach. I am grateful for GD's efforts in this regard. However, I believe there is an opportunity for GD to further contribute to our long-term financial stability by creating job opportunities for the youth. While the transfers have been transformative, sustainable employment can provide a sense of purpose, consistent income, and avenues for personal and professional growth. By incorporating job creation initiatives into their programs, GD could empower the youth with valuable skills and employment prospects, thereby fostering greater economic resilience within the community.

Out of the third transfer, I allocated $360 towards maize farming. This included expenses for land preparation, purchasing planting inputs, and hiring labor. I made the decision to invest in maize farming with the aim of generating income and ensuring a stable food supply for myself. Additionally, I utilized $40 to purchase new clothes, enhancing my personal appearance and adding to my existing wardrobe. With the remaining amount, I serviced the motorcycle I had previously purchased using the second transfer. As its performance had declined, it was necessary to invest in maintenance to ensure its proper functioning. This would enable me to continue utilizing the motorcycle for my transportation needs.

I want to make sure my motorcycle transport company is successful before the end of the year so I may add another motorcycle and potentially increase my income. It has long been my goal to operate a hardware store in our neighborhood urban center that sells motorcycle replacement parts. If everything goes according to plan.

Giving us money equally and without discrimination regardless of age, education level, or language, was one of the most incredible things I have seen an organization do. Everyone now has the chance to take care of their own needs in private because we have the opportunity to acquire money and decide how to utilize it through direct cash transfer from Give Directly.

Before receiving my second transfer. I saved about ksh 33000 that I made from selling bananas and maize and added ksh 45000 that I received from Give Directly to buy a second-hand hand motorbike for ksh 78000. I made this choice because it is not sustainable to rely solely on agriculture at this time of dramatic climate change, so I purchased the motorcycle to start a transportation business as a secondary source of income to help meet the needs of my family while we wait for the rains.

I received a message around 4:00 p.m., following an alert from my phone. Because I expected to receive a Mpesa message from GiveDirectly on the 14th of that month, as I was told during enrollment, this could not have surprised me even though it arrived a day earlier. The amount indicated was the expected amount, which made me feel more confident and excited. I had set all of my goals and was eager to receive and spend the money as soon as it arrived in my account. I live alone now because my grandfather, with whom I shared a house from my childhood, died three years ago. Because other family members live in different villages, I could not share the news with anyone.

The biggest difference in my daily life will be the completion of a pen following the purchase of goats once I receive the second transfer. Even though I have yet to purchase goats, I am confident that the project will thrive once I bring them in, as the first step of building them a house was critical. Every night, I will lock term in, making it difficult for prey to access and preventing thieves from driving them away at night. This is a long-term investment for my family that I hope to pass on to their children in the future.

After the initial excitement of receiving the first transfer from GiveDidrectly, I needed to get to work on the enlisted items to ensure that I completed what I could on time. I am currently living alone, and after my grandfather died three years ago, it was up to me to set and achieve my goals. Because livestock farming is the most simple and profitable in our area, I planned to spend some of the money on goats, but first I needed to build a pen. Because most farmers lose their livestock when they sneak out at night, their security against both theft and invasion by wild animals had to come first. As a result, I decided to buy construction materials and build a decent pen worth $120. I am now looking forward to using a portion of the second transfer to purchase at least ten goats, which I believe will benefit my family in the future when they reproduce. I also spent $50 on food, which included dry maize grains, beans, rice, and other household items that I am still using and hoping will keep me going until the second transfer arrives. In addition, I spent the remaining $30 on new clothing to replace the old ones I had been wearing. For a living, I had been reliant on casual labor and the sale of fruits from my farm.