I want to build a new house because the one I have right now is just a single-room house, yet I have four children. As time goes on, they keep growing, and I know I need to build a bigger house to give them more space and comfort. The plan is to plough a shamba so I can plant beans. Once I harvest the beans, I’ll sell them. And with that money, I’ll start building the house. But before that, I need to get the land ready and buy the beans for planting. To do all that, I’ll use the money I make from the maize I’ve just sold to Kenya Seed. It’s not going to be easy, but I have to do it. A better home for my children—one with more rooms where they can grow up comfortably—is worth the effort and I am optimistic that I am going to do it.

What impressed me most was how they gave us a toll-free number to call anytime we have a problem. This gave me peace of mind, knowing that if anything went wrong or if I needed clarity, I could speak to someone directly without worrying about the cost. It made me feel that they care not only about giving the money but also about ensuring we feel supported throughout the process. Honestly, I don’t think anything needs to be changed. The way they’ve handled everything has been straightforward and respectful. From the beginning, they explained the process well and gave us the freedom to decide how to use the money, which I appreciated. It’s rare to come across such a program that offers help with no strings attached and trusts people to make decisions for themselves. I feel empowered and grateful, and I hope they continue doing things just the way they are.

I used $320 to buy a young heifer, hoping it will soon mature and eventually give birth. Once it calves, I plan to start milking it, which will reduce the burden of buying milk—something I’ve been doing for as long as I can remember. This small investment makes me optimistic about having a steady supply of milk for my family in the near future. With $62, I was able to clear my son’s school fees. He is in Grade 3 at a private school, and I didn’t want him to miss any lessons because of unpaid fees. Ensuring he stays in school is a priority, and this money brought me a sense of relief, knowing his education won’t be disrupted for now. I used the remaining amount to buy food for the house. With a newborn at home, it’s not easy for me to go out and look for work or income, so having enough food is crucial. It allows me to focus on my baby without worrying about where our next meal will come from. Every cent of the transfer has been a lifeline, helping me take small but meaningful steps toward stability.

It was around 3:00 PM, and I was in my two-acre maize field, protecting it from roaming goats. Floods had previously destroyed much of the maize, leaving me with only about 0.5 acres, and I was determined not to lose that to the goats. Suddenly, my phone buzzed. I immediately checked my inbox to see the new SMS. To my surprise, it was a Mpesa message indicating that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. Overwhelmed with joy, I left the field and headed home. On the way, I shared the news with my neighbour, who also informed me she had received her transfer. We were both very happy. Thank you, GiveDirectly!

The most significant change in my life since receiving the money transfer is that I have finally realized my long-held dream of owning goats. I have always desired to raise livestock. This year, when I planted maize on my two acres, my intention was to sell the crop and use the money to buy goats. Unfortunately, I lost the crop to floods, which dimished my hopes. However, when I received the money transfer, I immediately purchased two goats. I believe that these goats will multiply and soon become a reliable source of income, allowing me to support the education of my three children.

I have been eager to start a goat-rearing project for a long time. All my neighbours own goats, and I see their value as they can be sold to meet urgent needs and they provide milk. When I received the transfer, I realized it was my chance to make this dream come true. I used $100 to buy two goats. I am now happy to own them, and I look forward to them providing milk when they give birth. I plan to sell their offspring in the future to support my children's education. Additionally, I used $50 to pay school fees for my youngest child in a private school. The school used to send reminders every day, and they would send him back home immediately in the morning due to unpaid fees. This situation stressed me a lot. I tried to talk to the school administration, but they could not keep him in class any longer. I am truly happy that my child can now settle in and focus on his studies without any more disruptions, as I only now have $0.5 in arrears. Furthermore, I spent $12 to buy new school uniforms for my three kids since their previous ones were torn. I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family of five.