Investing in bee farming has been a goal close to my heart, as it's a practice deeply rooted in my family's history. My grandfathers engaged in beekeeping, not just as a means of livelihood but for survival. Drawing inspiration from them, I have embarked on this journey, starting with 30 hives, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly's second transfer. The honey market in our area is robust, driven by the product's medicinal properties and the exceptional quality for which Baringo honey is renowned. This reputation of excellence gives me confidence in the business's success. During peak seasons, the harvests are done after four months. It can yield as much as 8kg of honey per hive. This venture, seeded by the support from GiveDirectly, holds the potential to significantly enhance my family's well-being and contribute positively to our community's economy.

The most remarkable aspect of GiveDirectly's support is undoubtedly the concept of Unconditional Cash Transfers. The freedom to allocate funds according to my family's specific requirements has been a shake-up. Moreover, the selection process implemented by GiveDirectly was impressively discreet. The officers involved conducted themselves with such professionalism and confidentiality that the criteria for selection remained undisclosed. This level of privacy was instrumental in minimizing the risk of imposters, ensuring that the aid reached its intended recipients. In fact, the proficiency and integrity displayed by GiveDirectly's team were so remarkable. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly. I urge you to maintain this incredible spirit of giving and the respectful, efficient manner in which you operate. Your model provides financial assistance, upholds the dignity, and respects the autonomy of each recipient, which is, in many ways, just as valuable.

When I received my final transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, it brought significant relief. With this amount, I paid $400 fees for two of my boys at the high school level, allocating $200 for each. I used the remaining $50 to purchase food for my family. As a farmer, my life revolves around the rhythms of nature. This practice is a livelihood for us and a labor of love, supporting our family of six. However, the journey is not without its challenges. Our reliance on the river for irrigation means that during the dry seasons, when the riverbeds run dry, we face the risk of non-harvest, which can be disheartening. In addition to farming, we rear a few goats. Despite these efforts, the uncertainty of our harvests often left me wondering how I would gather sufficient funds for my children's education. It is where the support from GiveDirectly has been a turning point. Their assistance came at a crucial time, ensuring their education could continue uninterrupted. Without this support, the struggle to secure school fees would have been immense. This gesture of aid from GiveDirectly has helped me secure a future for my children. For this, my gratitude knows no bounds. The peace of mind that comes from knowing my children's education is secured is invaluable, and for that, I am eternally thankful to GiveDirectly.

Looking ahead to the upcoming year and beyond, my central goal revolves around enhancing my expertise and practical involvement in agriculture through agribusiness endeavors. My ultimate aim is to center my efforts on cultivating tomatoes and maize, given their higher profitability. I intend to allocate a portion of my forthcoming third transfer to bring this aspiration to fruition. I appreciate the milestones I've reached thus far, and I anticipate the future with a blend of thankfulness and enthusiasm.

What struck me significantly was the flexibility to allocate our funds according to our individual requirements. The sessions for raising awareness were conducted with exceptional respect and equity, void of any discrimination. Moreover, the program provided crucial insights into safeguarding our finances, offering valuable security guidance. To sum up, I perceive the program's functioning as flawless, devoid of any noteworthy issues needing consideration.

Farming serves as the primary source of income for my wife and I, supporting our family of four children. Originally, I had intended to utilize my second transfer for fencing my land. However, a challenge arose due to my neighbor residing in between, and they weren't prepared to fence their land at that moment. Consequently, I had to redirect the funds toward a different endeavor. Thus, I made the decision to construct a storage facility for farm tools and produce, using $380 for this purpose. Subsequently, I spent $70 to acquire a sack of maize. The construction of this storage space was previously hindered by educational expenses, making me particularly pleased to have achieved this goal in a relatively short timeframe.

I vividly remember being at the farm, fully engrossed in my daily tasks, when I suddenly received news of my transfer. My phone buzzed, startling me, and upon checking, I discovered a text message informing me about the receipt of funds from GiveDirectly. It was the most delightful news I had received in a long time, filling me with uplifting emotions. I couldn't contain my elation because I knew that, at last, I would be able to fulfill my aspiration of paying my children's school fees for the upcoming term. Without wasting any time, I immediately called my wife to share the wonderful news with her. Her joy and gratitude mirrored my own. The transfer brought immense happiness into our lives, and for that, we will always remain deeply grateful.

In a remarkably short period of time, my daily life has experienced a profound change as I successfully cleared the outstanding school fees. Thanks to the transfer I received, I was able to effortlessly settle the fees that once appeared insurmountable given my financial constraints. The knowledge that my children can now study in school without any worries fills me with immense joy and satisfaction. I cannot express enough gratitude for the support that has elevated our quality of life.

The timely transfer from GiveDirectly arrived just when we needed it the most. Our children were about to go back to school for the new term, but we lacked the necessary funds. As a couple who relies on farming for our livelihood, we feel blessed to have four children under our care. When we learned that GiveDirectly would provide us with an unconditional transfer, my wife and I immediately decided to spend the funds towards paying the school fees for our two high school children. With arrears accumulating and a new term already underway, we wasted no time in using a portion of the transfer, amounting to $180, to settle the outstanding balance. With the remaining amount, we were able to purchase a torch and a small radio. The relief and happiness we feel are indescribable, knowing that we have finally fulfilled the seemingly unattainable goal of clearing the fee balance, given our financial circumstances.