Since the climatic conditions here do vary from time to time,Crop farming is almost uncertain as at time one could run into losses or profits on good seasons. For the past 4 years for instance, My family of six has not harvested even a bag of maize from the 1 acre piece of land we often cultivate. As a result, I hope to venture into goat rearing because they breed so fast and this might be a financial bridge. I plan on using the profits from the maize sales to initiate this course.

Money is a life changer, but not everyone can afford to have some. I am glad that GiveDirectly made this a success by offering unconditional cash transfers as grants to residents here, and now life has changed. People have educated their children and constructed houses for their families to live in. I am glad that through the transfers, families have all their basic needs at hand. And just as promised during the community engagement meeting, GiveDirectly fulfilled its promise of uplifting lives.

No man wishes to live alone for a lifetime, as one has to seek a hand in marriage. Since I have been living this way for some time now after we separated from my wife, life has not been the same, and therefore I wish to look for a companion. I am glad the transfers came in handy, as I have saved $300 towards my dowry payment now that I have identified a fiancee to marry soon. Because my current family of six is yet to expand, I have to work extra hard as the breadwinner; therefore, I spent $20 on cultivating my 1 acre piece of land, on which I sowed maize, so as to feed my family. Now that the rains are coming, I am hopeful that I will harvest up to 7-8 bags of maize, unlike the past 4 years where we have had no harvest due to unfavorable climatic conditions. For the rest of the transfers, I saved for the school fee payments of my grandchildren.

It was in the evening, and I was away engaged in my charcoal-making venture. While busy working, I heard a Mpesa alert, and since I cannot read, I called my son, Kahindi, to assist me. When he came and checked out the content of the message, I noticed a smile on his face even before he notified me that it was my transfer. I felt so excited at that moment. Indeed throughout my life, I had never felt like that. Since I was born, I had never received such a large sum of money. The highest I had received at once was $20. To date, I am still feeling happy, and I know that the experience of that day will outlive me. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly.

Since I received my transfer, there has been a positive change in my life. Before I did not have a stable source of income, I could occasionally skip some meals during the day. I am glad that since that time, I have not missed a meal. In addition, I have acquired new solar energy for lighting. This situation has given my children a better opportunity to focus on their studies at night with fewer struggles. Lastly, I am more at peace because, with the transfer, I can pay a dowry and remarry to have someone who can me help since I am advancing in age.

I reside in a remote place without electricity. Although my house has never had enough lighting, I have been using lanterns. I prioritized spending $70 on solar energy as soon as I got my transfer. I am delighted that our lighting system has improved recently. Regrettably, I have been finding it difficult to do my household responsibilities ever since the passing of my first wife. I, therefore, intended to use a portion of my transfer to pay my second wife's dowry. That will cost me an estimated $200, which I had set aside. Since we are experiencing the worst hunger ever recorded, the remainder of the transfer has been assisting me in obtaining food.