In the coming year, I want to grow my grocery business and save more money. I currently earn $5 a day, which covers our basic needs, but I need to save more. My goal is to buy another plot of land so that when my children grow up, they will have a place to live and something to inherit. Owning more land will give us security in the future. I also want to make sure my children have a better life than we did, and I’m saving for their education. Buying land now will help me create more opportunities for them in the future.

GiveDirectly has done an amazing job, and I truly appreciate how they operate. One thing I admire most is that their officers are professional—they focus only on their work and don’t eat from the homes they visit, which shows great respect for the communities. What I really like about GiveDirectly is that the money they give is not a loan, and there’s no interest to repay. It’s simply free money to help improve our lives, which makes a big difference.As for areas of improvement, I honestly didn’t see any. The process was smooth, and everything was handled perfectly. The support I received has transformed my life. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

When the floods destroyed our home, we lost almost everything, but not our hope. With my second transfer, I made a decision that would change our future—I bought a plot of land in a safer, higher area, away from the danger of flooding. So, when I received my latest transfer, I used $380 to start building a new house with two rooms, made from iron sheets for the roof and walls. We haven’t moved in yet because I’m waiting for my children to finish school, but once they do, we’ll finally move into our secure home. Having a stable place to live will help us focus on better opportunities and a brighter future.With the remaining $70, I bought food and utensils—things we lost in the floods and badly needed. My four children rely on me, and being able to provide for them gives me peace of mind. My husband now looks after our cows, while I focus on my growing grocery business, where I earn $5 a day. This extra income has been a blessing, allowing us to leave behind the difficult and unreliable work of burning charcoal and working on other people’s farms, which we once depended on just to survive.Building this new home has changed our lives. We are no longer at risk from floods, and I feel relieved knowing my family is safe. Life is more stable now, and we’ve moved on to better, more secure jobs. I’m proud of what we’ve achieved and excited for the future, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, which made all of this possible.

This year, I plan to use my last GiveDirectly transfer to build a house. I have already bought an acre of land on higher ground, where floods will no longer affect us. Building a home there means a lot to me and my family of four children. It will mark a new beginning for us, offering a safer life and opportunities for development. Having a stable and secure home will provide us with peace of mind and a foundation for growth. God willing, I also hope to open a business after we relocate. Although I am not sure where the funds for the business will come from, I remain optimistic and determined to make it happen. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has given me the freedom to plan and work towards a better future for my family

What stood out for me about GiveDirectly is their approach. They do not provide loans; instead, they give us free cash with no discrimination. This method has a significant impact on people's lives, including mine. Going forward, I hope GiveDirectly continues with their current approach because it truly changes lives. Their support has given me the freedom to plan and work towards a better future for my family. I am grateful for their unconditional help and the positive difference it makes.

Before receiving the latest transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, my village in Seseia, Baringo was greatly affected by devastating floods. The disaster displaced many people, including my family and me. We were forced to live in the IDP camp in Loropil for almost a month as everything we owned was swept away by the floodwaters. Originally, I had planned to use the funds to start a business. However, after experiencing the destruction and displacement caused by the floods, I decided to prioritize the long-term safety and stability of my family. I invested $350 of the transfer to purchase a half-acre plot of land situated on higher, safer ground. This investment ensures that future floods will not negatively affect us. Additionally, this new plot provides a secure location where I can continue my agribusiness without the fear of destructive shocks like the one we just experienced. With the remaining $100, I addressed the immediate food needs of my family. The transfer came at a time when we were facing severe hunger in the camp, and it was a vital resource for us during this difficult period. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their unconditional cash transfer. The money provided us the liberty to address and respond to the flood issue directly, securing our future and helping us meet our immediate needs. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible.

It was late in the evening, and I was on my way to Loropil Center to ask my friend, who owns a shop, to give me maize flour on credit for our evening meal. I usually rely on casual work for a living, and it is always hand-to-mouth since the pay is very low; we are paid only $3, which is too low to meet the daily basic needs of my family. I had not been able to secure work that day, and we did not have any food for my family of six. While I was on my way, I heard a message notification from my phone. I reached for it and saw that it was an Mpesa message indicating receipt of the GD transfer. I was so happy and relieved, knowing that I would not have to buy food on credit again, which usually never feels good. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the transfer..

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving transfers is that I no longer worry constantly about finding food for my family. With the GD transfer, I was able to buy a sack of maize, ensuring we can now eat three meals a day. I know this will last us until we receive the next transfer. Before this, I struggled to find casual work, which was not always guaranteed. Often, I could not find any work, leaving my family hungry and dependent on just one meal a day. This situation used to stress me out a lot, especially seeing my children go hungry and feel helpless because I could not provide for them.

I used $80 to pay the school fees for my son, who is in Form One at a day secondary school. This ensures he can stay in school and not miss his studies by being sent home for unpaid fees. Education is very important to me, and being able to keep my son in school brings me great peace of mind. It reassures me that he is getting the education he needs for a better future. With $40, I bought four plastic chairs and a plastic table, which we didn't have before. Before this, some of my children used to sit on the ground, and it was uncomfortable and disheartening. Now, we have enough seats for everyone, and it has made a significant difference in our daily lives. Additionally, I am particularly happy because I no longer need to borrow seats from my neighbours when I receive visitors, which used to make me feel uneasy and embarrassed. Having our furniture has improved our sense of dignity and comfort in our home. I also purchased a new mattress for $40 to replace the old, worn-out one my children had been sleeping on. This has greatly improved their sleep quality. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family, ensuring that we had enough to eat and could focus on other important aspects of our lives, such as tilling my land, without the constant worry of where our next meal would come from.