Despite the losses we had during flash floods, I have never lost my hope on crop farming as it is lucrative and well paying in our area. GiveDirectly's cash transfer rejuvenates my hope of venturing into farming, I will plan $250 of my transfers and plant maize crops on my 2 acre piece of land. I will also spend $100 to pay school fees arrears for my sister Lynne Naisoi who is in Tuluk secondary school. This will give her humble time to concentrate on her academics. Flash flooding has been a perennial problem in our area, with the transfers from GiveDirectly, I will spend my last transfers $350 to secure a piece of land in the area which is not affected by flash floods. This will help me relocate my family to a safer ground.

It was in May 2024 when my sister Lynne Naisoi had been sent home to fetch school fees arrears. We never had any savings as we were struggling with the scars of flash floods that we experienced in April. I was worried that her education would end up in jeopardy. It was on a Monday morning when I decided to go and meet with the school principal, I explained the whole situation and requested him to allow my sister to continue with her studies. The school principal was understanding and gave my sister another chance to pursue her dreams. This made me so happy.

It cost me about $300 to prepare and cultivate my 2.5 acre piece of land. This investment gave me hope of living a better life. As it is said, "Do not count the chicks before the eggs are hatched." I was optimistic and hopeful that I will have a bumper harvest this season. Things took a different turn, on that fateful day we received heavy downpour which lasted for about 3 hours. The whole village was flooded and I lost all my investment in flash floods. All that I had invested was reduced to ashes. I am left recounting losses. I never imagine that I will end up burning charcoal to earn a living and support my family.