Beside crop farming, with the challenges I have experienced through droughts and floods, I am planning to invest more in goats. Unlike crops, goats do well and are not affected as much by climate shocks, making them a more reliable source of income. This investment will help me address important needs like school fees for my children and daily household expenses. Additionally, the goats will provide a steady milk supply for my family, reducing the need to buy milk. To reach my goal, I plan to save money from charcoal production and use part of my final transfer to purchase at least ten goats.

During the enrollment process, GiveDirectly's officers treated everyone fairly and with respect. There was no discrimination because it was handled solely by GiveDirectly, with no involvement of external parties. Each household was enrolled independently, ensuring our privacy was respected, and the officers made sure to explain every question clearly. This helped us fully understand what was required, and the entire process was optional, giving us the freedom to choose whether or not to participate. GiveDirectly's approach is highly effective, and I see no areas for improvement. I would encourage them to continue with the same mode of operation as they support more people.

When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew I had to make decisions that would secure a better future for my family. Our area is prone to floods, and since my house is located in a flat area, we have often been disrupted by these floods. This year was no different. To solve this, I decided to purchase a plot on higher ground for $400, and I paid a deposit of $250, planning to clear the balance later. My goal is to build a house there and move, which will save us from the constant flooding in the future. In addition, I bought a goat for $70. I have always wanted to add to my goats because they are valuable during emergencies, and like crop farming, they can be easily moved when the weather becomes harsh. My children’s clothes were old, and they didn’t have nice ones for special occasions, so I used $30 to buy clothes for my four children. At that time, two of my children were sick from living in our damp house; they had pneumonia. I spent $40 on their medication to help them recover. With the remaining $60, I bought a 90-kg bag of maize and condiments since food was a big challenge. After the floods, we lost our crops, and now we have to buy everything, and we solely rely on charcoal production to make ends meet. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support.

As part of my regular routine, I headed to the forest in the evening to check on my charcoal and make sure it was ready for packing and selling. While I was working, I received a notification on my phone. Initially, I was hesitant to check the message, but then I remembered that this was the week GiveDirectly had promised to send us money. I opened my inbox and to my surprise, it was an Mpesa message. Upon reading further, I discovered that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly! I was filled with joy upon seeing this message, as it offered me the opportunity to improve my living conditions by purchasing a bed and a mattress.

The recent floods destroyed my house and even the makeshift bedding I had been using. Although it wasn't standard, it was the best I could afford. I had been using a polyester fabric as a tent before using it as bedding. After relocating to a safe place and with the situation returning to normal, I was able to buy a new bed and mattress with my recent transfer. Now I can sleep comfortably as I continue to rebuild and recover from the effects of the flood.

I was severely impacted by the recent floods which lasted for months and destroyed my house and belongings. I was unable to recover much when the floods hit, and ad to move to a safe place with my family and livestock. Before this disaster, I relied on subsistence farming and selling charcoal for my livelihood. However, due to the floods, I couldn't work on my farm, which was also destroyed along with the crops I had planted. It was a tough time for my family, and I'm grateful to GiveDirectly for providing assistance. As things slowly return to normal, buying food from shops has become expensive, with a 1kg packet of flour costing $0.8. Because of the floods, making and transporting charcoal for sale was impossible, which was my only source of income. This made it difficult for me to afford food. I used a polyester fabric as a temporary shelter before using it to sleep on. Upon receiving my first transfer, my priority was to ensure that my family of four had enough food. I bought a sack of maize for $30, which will last us for almost a month compared to buying packed flour daily. Additionally, I spent $96 on purchasing a bed and a mattress, replacing the fabric I was sleeping on. I also spent $30 on buying new clothes and shoes for my children, as a way to recover from the losses caused by the floods. Finally, I used the remaining amount to buy new household items that were lacking in my household.