My plan for the coming year is to plant beans on 2 acres of land within the Eldume Irrigation Scheme. You know, it's the perfect time to plant beans—the conditions are ideal, and the scheme has provided us with good, quality seeds. I'm really hopeful that this will turn out well. If everything goes as expected and I get a good harvest, I can sell the beans at $100 per bag. That money would be a huge help, especially when it comes to paying school fees. I have eight children, you see, and two of them are in secondary school now. The costs are really starting to add up. I’ve been managing to pay their fees by selling my cows. It’s not easy, and I’m now down to just one cow, which I’m keeping mainly for milk to feed my family. But I can’t keep selling livestock forever. That’s why I’m really banking on this new source of income from the beans. If all goes well, I won’t have to keep sacrificing what little livestock I have left. It’s my way of securing a more stable life for all of us.

I was surprised that participation was entirely voluntary. We had the freedom to choose if we wanted to be part of the program or not. This gave me a sense of control and dignity because I knew that whatever decision I made, it was mine alone. What I liked even more was how transparent the whole process was. They explained to us where the money was coming from and shared every detail about how the program would work from beginning to end. There were no hidden surprises or unanswered questions. I knew exactly what to expect, and that made me trust them. Knowing the source of the money and understanding the steps they would follow helped me feel secure in the decision I made to participate. There is nothing however that I think could be changed in the program as I see it all good.

I decided to spend $300 on tomato seeds because tomatoes grow well in this area. Last season wasn’t great—the prices were low—but I’m optimistic things will improve. I planted them on half an acre, hoping to make a good profit this time around. The plants are coming along nicely, and I’m currently weeding the farm to keep them healthy. With another $190, I bought a cupboard for storing utensils, medicines, and important documents. My old cupboard was broken and not safe, especially with kids around. Now, I can organize everything properly, and I don’t have to worry about the children accidentally getting into the medicine or misplacing our papers. To afford the cupboard, I had to sell six of my roosters to top up the deficit from what the transfers could cater for. It wasn’t an easy decision, but it was necessary. The new cupboard has already made a difference in how we manage things at home, and I feel more at ease knowing everything is in its place. Now I can focus fully on my tomatoes and hope the market works in my favor.

I can remember that day very clearly. I had gone to Marigat to seek medication as I was feeling unwell. Immediately after my appointment, I was busy looking for a motorcycle taxi to take me back home since I was very weak, so I could not stay around the town for long. That afternoon, just as I was about to get in the taxi, I received a call from my neighbour. She asked if I had received the money transfer, as she had. I was unaware that the transfer had come through. I quickly checked my phone for the M-Pesa message and was overjoyed to see that the transfer had indeed gone through. I went straight home and informed my spouse about it. We planned to withdraw the money later in the week.

The transfer has made a big difference in my life, giving me peace of mind. I used $100 to pay for a portion of my children's school fees, allowing them to return to school after their midterm break. Without this payment, they would have had to stay home while their classmates continued studying. This would have worried me, as I would have had to sell two goats from my herd to manage the situation. I am reluctant to do this, especially since my herd has decreased after selling 12 goats to manage the tomato farm. Although the amount I paid was small, it was enough to ensure that the school administration allowed my children to stay until I could harvest my tomatoes at the end of the month and clear the remaining fees as I promised.

The transfer was a huge relief for me. My two children were about to return to school after their mid-term break, and I didn't have enough money for their school fees. I had recently sold about 12 goats from my herd to invest in a tomato farming project, and I was reluctant to sell more as my herd had already decreased in number. I was full of worries. When the transfer arrived, I used $100 to partially pay the school fees. While it wasn't enough, I'm glad that the amount I paid will keep them in school until I can sell my tomatoes to clear the remaining balance. I also used $60 to buy petroleum for my generator, which I need to pump water to irrigate the two acres of tomatoes. I have high hopes for this crop and expect a bountiful harvest. I plan to use the income from its sale to pay school fees for my six children, as I also have four children in a private primary school. Providing them with the best education is my greatest achievement. Additionally, I plan to buy land on higher ground if my income allows, to make a small deposit. Our current home is not safe as it is at risk of flooding, just as it occurred previously. Finally, I used the remaining amount to buy food for my family. Thank you, GiveDirectly.