In the coming years, my wish is to start maize farming using Kenya seeds. I plan to sell the harvest and use the earnings to fulfill various needs that I currently do not have. This includes things like buying essential items and taking care of my daily necessities. Achieving this goal would bring happiness and satisfaction to my life, providing a sense of accomplishment and improving my overall well-being.

I've had a positive experience with GiveDirectly, and I don't see any need for them to change their program. They have been a great help to me, and I appreciate all they've done. Their support has made a significant difference in my life, and I'm grateful for the assistance they've provided. GiveDirectly's program has been effective and beneficial, and I have no suggestions for changes because it has truly made a positive impact on my situation.

With the recent $450 I received from GiveDirectly, I made thoughtful allocations to improve our present and future. I invested $150 to purchase a cow. The idea behind this decision was to save money on buying milk regularly, making it a cost-effective choice for the long term. To further ensure a sustainable future, I spent $90 on goats. This investment aims for multiplication over time, providing a lasting source of support for my family. Recognizing the importance of education, I allocated $200 for the school fees of my sister, who is in her second year at the university. This decision is an investment in her future and the overall well-being of our family. Each allocation reflects a thoughtful choice to enhance our present and build a better tomorrow.

While I currently lack a stable income, I have ambitious plans for my future, with a strong desire to acquire a customized water pump to extract water from a nearby swamp and irrigate my mango farm. This investment will enable me to expand my mango farm from the existing seven trees to a long-term goal of 30 trees, creating an additional income source. I have been observing and learning from my neighbor, who successfully manages over 50 mango trees and sells the produce in bulk to a buyer who visits the farm with his means of transport to purchase in larger quantities. His success has inspired me. Mango trees are resilient to adverse weather conditions, requiring minimal water to thrive. I aim to make significant investments in this new idea over the next five months. I am excited that there is a new grafted mango breed that matures within two years. During this time, I will begin harvesting and selling the initial fruits. This will greatly support my family as a source of income, sustaining us with food and covering other household expenses.

GiveDirectly has provided us with the most exceptional support I have ever received in my life. Since the program's inception, I have witnessed numerous positive changes, not only in my own household but also in others that received support. I have always hoped that GiveDirectly could visit our village to see the tremendous progress we have achieved since we began receiving the transfers. Everything they promised was delivered on time, and currently, no one in our village has any complaints, only gratitude to the organization for their incredible work and support. We have had the opportunity to use the cash support for what we truly wished to achieve, unlike in previous cases where we received material goods that often didn't serve our needs. I sincerely hope that GiveDirectly will continue to provide the same level of service to other villages still awaiting support. Through this, the entire community can transform, becoming self-reliant through the investments they are making.

My sister is currently studying at a medical school, while my father, who pays her school fees, works with Kenya Wildlife Service to support her and eight other siblings through their education. Despite my father's medium salary, covering all their school fees has been a challenge. He also relies on farming, which often fails due to the changing climatic conditions. When I received the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to assist my father by contributing $400 towards my sister's school fees, ensuring she could sit for her semester examination without any issues. I understand the struggles my father faced when I was in school, and I wanted to support him now that I have completed my education. Although I am currently engaged in casual labor without a stable income, I appreciate the impact of GiveDirectly's support, not only on me but also on my sister's education. I had $50 left, and I used $30 to buy six mango seedlings, hoping to nurture them to maturity for additional income and expansion. The remaining amount went towards household essentials, including food for our family of three and clothes for my son. I am thankful for GiveDirectly's support and have great plans for the remaining funds.

I still vividly recall the moment I received a text notification informing me that I had received $200. I was deeply engrossed in the task of harvesting maize when my phone suddenly began to ring. As I checked the notification, I was rendered speechless. It revealed that GiveDirectly had sent me money. Overwhelming feelings of joy and gratitude washed over me, especially considering that this support arrived at a time when we least expected it. It brought an immense sense of relief, as I realized that we could now work towards achieving our goals. Without delay, I shared this wonderful news with my wife, who was equally elated. Thus, we promptly embarked on the process of planning our next steps.

The biggest difference in my daily life has been the opportunity to enclose my land, enabling me to cultivate mangoes. This newfound capability allows me to manage other tasks without the constant need for farm surveillance, unlike the current situation where people must watch over their farms all the time. I am genuinely grateful for the support that has brought about such a positive change in our quality of life.

Upon receiving my first transfer, I made a deliberate choice to allocate the funds toward realizing a long-held dream of fencing my land to cultivate mangoes, thereby protecting it from intrusion by goats. This endeavor had proven challenging in the past due to inconsistent sources of income, as it required a significant investment. My wife is currently pursuing her college education, and I, alongside our farming activities, occasionally engage in casual jobs in the county. Together, we are blessed with a child. With the $100, we were able to successfully fence our land. In addition, we spent $42 for plastic chairs, $38 for clothing, and $20 for school fees. These accomplishments have filled me with profound gratitude, contentment, and joy.