My plan is to become a successful large-scale farmer, growing maize, tomatoes, and vegetables on a bigger scale. I want to use the profits from my shop to invest in farming, so I can afford the seeds, equipment, and irrigation needed for a larger operation. Expanding my farm will help me earn more income and create a stable source of food and money for my family. I hope this will also allow me to provide a good education for my children and improve our quality of life. With time, I aim to grow my farm to be self-sustaining and profitable. Achieving this goal would mean more stability and security for us all in the coming years.

The officers explained GiveDirectly’s program very clearly, which really helped ease our concerns about where such a large amount of money was coming from. We were initially worried and unsure, but they took the time to explain everything thoroughly, making sure we understood the entire process. I appreciated their respectful approach and how they answered all of our questions patiently. From what I experienced, there was nothing negative about the way GiveDirectly handled things; everything was well-organized and transparent. They truly fulfilled their promises, and the support they provided has made a positive difference. I hope they continue to help others in the same way they have helped us.

Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly changed everything for my family and me. Expanding my shop with just $100 made a huge difference; before, I struggled to earn even $20 a day, but now I’m making $50 daily. The extra income has eased my worries, and I’m incredibly grateful for the chance to provide more for my family. I also spent $150 on three young cows and $120 on three sheep, knowing they would be valuable assets for the future. If emergencies come up, I can sell them for quick support. With five children in school, I used $80 to cover some of their fees, which used to be a struggle relying only on my shop’s income. Now, my business and livestock give me a stable foundation, and it feels wonderful to plan ahead with confidence.Life has truly turned around with GiveDirectly’s help. My husband, who is a boda boda rider, and I can now support each other more easily, and we’re both focused on building a brighter future for our kids. This support has given us the strength to look forward, knowing we can finally secure a stable and comfortable life for our family.

My plan now is to sell some of the maize after the harvest and use the proceeds to open a small shop at home. This way, I can keep myself busy with my business, stop going for casual jobs, and focus on our own farm. The income from the shop will provide us with food and help pay for our children's school fees.

They have activated us and raised our living standards. Without you, we wouldn't have progressed as much. The way you come and check on us, seeing how we are managing our money and progressing, truly shows your commitment. Thank you for coming with pure intentions to help the poor. When you visit the next villages, please continue with the same spirit and help them as you have helped us.

Life has been incredibly tough for my husband and me as we struggled to improve the lives of our six children. Working on other people’s farms and burning charcoal was exhausting. Despite our efforts, we couldn't even afford to build a separate room for our older children. I always felt ashamed sleeping under the same roof with them, which hindered our privacy and made it difficult to discuss important matters. This was never my dream, as I wanted to raise my children properly.Upon receiving the cash, I used $120 to construct a separate room for them. Previously, I earned $4 a day from my casual job, with $2 going towards my kids' fees and the other $2 for food. To relieve that burden, I used $70 from the transfer to purchase enough food and $12 to pay for their fees since I didn't have many arrears. Since we hadn't had new clothes for a long time, I decided to use $99 to buy clothes for everyone in the family. With the remaining money, I invested in agriculture, planting maize so that we could have enough food at home. Through this investment, I will always remember the support and help from GiveDirectly.I want to express my deepest gratitude for improving our lives. We no longer struggle to eat, and for that, I thank you immensely.

It was in the afternoon. My spouse and I were resting in the shade, escaping the scorching sun. I was exhausted from working part of the day on my neighbour's farm. We were also preoccupied with thoughts about how to find money to pay for our son's school fees, as schools were set to reopen the next week, and we had no funds available. Suddenly, I received a message notification on my phone. Without hesitation, I checked it, and to my surprise, it was a Mpesa message indicating that we had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I immediately stood up from the floor in excitement and rushed to show my spouse the incredible news. Our hearts soared with joy, knowing our worries had been lifted. Thank you, GiveDirectly

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving the transfer is that my heart is now settled from the constant worries of figuring out how I will find money to pay for my son's school fees. I am so glad that the transfer enabled me to pay the full amount for his second-term studies. Previously, I would have had to request a fundraising effort from my community, which always felt embarrassing, especially since I had already done it when he first joined Form One. I knew people might not be willing to contribute again, and even if they did, the amount would likely have been too little, causing my son to be sent home frequently to collect the remaining fees. Thanks to the transfer, the full amount for the term is settled, and my son can concentrate on his studies without interruption.

The transfer came at a crucial time when we were consumed with worry about how to ensure our son could return to school for his second term. The school requires us to pay at least half of the fees for this term; otherwise, he would be sent back home. The moment I received the transfer, I promptly deposited $100 into the school account, covering all the school fees for the term. Knowing that my son can now focus on his studies without disruption has truly settled my mind. With the remaining funds, I invested $80 in purchasing two mattresses for myself and my daughters. We had been sleeping on old rags, which was incredibly uncomfortable and made it hard to get a sound sleep. The mattresses have given us the comfort and rest we need to be productive during the day, whether it's working on the farm or the children focusing on their studies. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family of eight, ensuring we were well fed and could focus on our daily activities without the stress of hunger.