In the coming years and beyond, my intention is to venture into dairy goat farming for both commercial and domestic reasons. To initiate this project, I aim to set aside a portion of the income I receive from my tomato investment. I am aware that this undertaking will require significant resources, particularly because our area is semi-arid. Consequently, I will need to purchase feed for the goats. Nevertheless, I am confident that this venture will yield favorable returns.

GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job by providing us with unconditional lump-sum transfers. Many individuals have made significant investments using these funds. Some have started businesses to support their families, while others have purchased cattle. Additionally, some people have built proper dwellings to replace their makeshift shelters. The impact of these transfers has truly elevated the living standards in our village.

Having a large family of eight people comes with challenges, especially when it comes to meeting their basic needs, so I spent $150 of the transfer to purchase enough food to sustain them for a considerable period of time. This brings me great relief, as I no longer have to worry about them going hungry or skipping meals. Knowing that my loved ones have enough to eat brings me immense joy and peace of mind. Another significant achievement I made with the transfer was the timely payment of my two children's school fees. Both of them attend boarding primary schools, and in the past, I faced challenges in paying their fees on time, which sometimes resulted in them being sent home. This disrupted their education and caused unnecessary stress for all of us. However, with the help of the transfer, I was able to settle the $150 fees promptly, ensuring they could continue their studies uninterrupted. I also used $150 to invest in my tomato farms. By purchasing pesticides, I aim to enhance the productivity and yield of my crops. This not only contributes to my family's food security but also provides an opportunity to generate income by selling them.

In the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to further invest in agriculture by diversifying our farm's crops. I have plans to introduce tomatoes alongside the ongoing maize cultivation, as it is a lucrative venture with a shorter season and manageable requirements, especially given the availability of water. I aim to generate funds from the current maize farming endeavors to support various aspects of our lives, including paying school fees and enhancing our daily living standards. This strategic move will not only contribute to our financial stability but also bring about positive improvements to our overall well-being.

I am incredibly grateful for the tremendous impact they have had on our lives. Receiving the first transfer has brought about a remarkable difference in our daily lives. The freedom to make our own spending decisions has empowered us in ways we never thought possible. We no longer feel constrained by poverty, and the fairness of the program has filled our hearts with immense gratitude. We can only hope that this transformative initiative reaches and continues to uplift many more villages, just as it has done for us.

I focused on completing the construction of my new house after receiving the second transfer. I took a $200 loan from a nearby hardware. With the loan, I purchased essential materials like metallic rods and iron sheets that were used in the construction. The completed house now provides shelter and a sense of security for my family, complete with basic utilities like a toilet. In addition to the house, I constructed a chicken coop worth $80, where I now have 30 chickens. The chickens not only bring joy to our lives but also a source of income through the collection of eggs and raising chicks. I also allocated $30 to purchase school uniforms for my two children attending a nearby primary school. Furthermore, I used $15 to pay off a hospital bill for one of my child who was ill. To further enhance our daily lives, $80 was dedicated to acquiring various household goods that were missing, ensuring that our home is well-equipped and comfortable. It has been a journey of resilience and self-sufficiency, as we had been relying on farming activities to support our family of 10. I set aside $45 for church tithes, as it has always been a meaningful part of our lives. I am grateful forthe support from Givedirectly and looking forward to doing a lot more with the remaining transfer.

It was around 3:00 pm when I was doing my laundry, and then suddenly I heard my phone ringing. As I usually do, I reached for it to check whose message it was. To my surprise, it was an M-PESA SMS indicating that I have received $200. I would not hide my joy. I immediately called my spouse who was away at that moment to inform him about the good news.

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving the money is that I am happy we are living in our own house. I do not worry anymore about being thrown out anytime. I am also glad that I am free to do any investment in the land since it is mine

We have been struggling to build up a house for a living since the one that had been hosting us since we got married was someone's. We had borrowed it begging the owner to give us time to buy land and build our own. We had started the structure but we ran out of cash. Upon receiving the transfer, we used all the $20 to cement the floor. As of the moment, I can proudly say that I am living in my own house. Thanks to GD for making the process faster.