As a farmer, crop farming has been my main source of income for the past four years. Unfortunately, this year I lost 1.5 acres of maize and 1 acre of beans due to climatic shocks. However, giving up is not an option for me. I have already cleared the farm in preparation and plan to try again. I intend to use my final transfer to cover the costs of plowing, making ridges, and planting. This time, I will plant maize on 2 acres and dedicate half an acre to black nightshade. I plan to start planting next month, and for the black nightshade, I expect to harvest in about two months, which will be perfect timing as the market will be favorable due to the off-season. The proceeds from this harvest will help me purchase a plot of land and relocate, as our current home is prone to flooding. I want to secure a safer future for my family.

One of the things GiveDirectly does best is keeping their promises. They deliver transfers as scheduled, both in terms of amount and timing, which gives us hope and allows us to plan ahead. Additionally, they conduct follow-ups after delivering the cash to ensure that recipients are spending the money wisely and to check if any issues have arisen within the families. GiveDirectly’s methods of operation are efficient and effective, and I believe there is no area for improvement. My only wish is for them to continue uplifting more lives in this impactful way.

When I received my second transfer, my first thought was of my mother. Her house, made of mud walls and an iron roof, had been standing for years but had become weak and damaged by termites. Just a month before the transfer, a strong wind blew the house down. Thankfully, my mother was not hurt, though she had to move in with a neighbor. When the money came, I knew I had to prioritize rebuilding her home. I spent $350 on iron sheets, posts, frames, nails, and labor to give her a new house with iron sheet walls and a roof. Now, the house is complete, and my mother is happy. She’s incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly and sends countless blessings for their support. Additionally, I am a farmer, and this is our main source of income. Unfortunately, I lost 1.5 acres of maize and an acre of beans to the recent floods, which left us struggling with food shortages. With part of the transfer, I bought a bag of maize for $35 and other essentials for $20 to get us through. I used the remaining $45 to clear my land, preparing it for the next planting season, as I plan to give crop farming another try.

I was working my usual job as a laborer on other people's farms when I received a message on my phone. Upon checking, I realized it was a Mpesa transfer. I was overjoyed to learn that it was my first transfer from GiveDirectly. This transfer brought huge relief to my family as we were struggling with the effects of floods that had destroyed our crops, making it hard to afford food.

I typically engage in crop farming, mainly planting beans and maize to feed my family and sometimes sell the surplus for extra income. Before receiving the transfer, I had managed to lease two acres of land and planted maize and beans. Unfortunately, heavy rains flooded my farm, destroying all the crops I had planted. This setback made it difficult to provide for my family, and we had to relocate to a safer place. When the floods subsided, I went back to cultivate one acre, thanks to the recent transfer I received from GiveDirectly. I used the funds to purchase enough seeds, pesticides, and fuel for pumping water to my farm. Despite the recent loss, I am determined to have a successful harvest this time, as the weather conditions are now favorable. This will ensure that my family has enough food to eat as we recover from the effects of the flood.

I had planted maize and beans on my two acres of land. Unfortunately, due to the recent floods, all my crops were swept away, and I couldn't harvest as expected. Because of the floods, my family and I had to relocate to a safer place. I couldn't work anymore as I had to wait for the floods to subside. I usually work as a laborer in other people's farms for a living. This made it difficult to provide for my family, so we had to depend on external support in our new location. I am grateful that the assistance came at the right time when I needed it most. When the floods ended, I went back to my farm and cultivated an acre. I managed to buy the seeds, pesticides, and fuel for pumping water to my farm, which cost me $106. I am hoping for a good harvest this time, as the weather is currently favorable. Additionally, I paid $20 in school fees for my sibling who is currently in high school. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs and clothes for my family. This ensured that my family was well-fed as we recovered from the effects of the floods.