I leased a piece of land, and my goal is to plant maize on it. I want to use Kenya seed because it’s reliable, and the company does contract farming with us. It's a good deal because, from just half an acre, you can earn up to $800 from the maize sale. I’ll use the third transfer I receive to get everything started. That money will go into ploughing the farm, buying the seeds, and maintaining the crop. I want to make sure I do everything right so the harvest is good. Once I harvest the maize and sell it, I plan to reinvest the money. I’ll use it to plant on an extra half-acre. My hope is to keep expanding every season, little by little, so the returns keep growing.

Everyone, young and old, received the same amount without favoritism or bias. The process was completely transparent—clear explanations, public meetings, and regular updates. I appreciated how they treated us with respect, trusting us to decide how to use the money. It made me feel like our voices mattered. What stood out most is how the money has helped us grow as a community. With everyone receiving it, there’s been less borrowing and fewer tensions about debts. Families that struggled to afford basics now have roofs that don’t leak and food on the table. The change isn’t just in individual lives—it’s in how we work together. For the first time, it feels like the whole village is moving forward as one, and that’s something I’ll always be grateful for. I also do not see anything that needs to be changed.

When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I carefully planned how to use the money to improve my family’s life. First, I used $160 to buy two sheep because they multiply twice a year and are calm animals to keep. I see this as an important way to grow my assets and secure a future source of income. I also leased half an acre of land for $60 to plant maize in the next season. Farming is a crucial part of our livelihood, and I know this investment will pay off in the coming months. Additionally, I purchased a water container, two plastic seats, and a blanket for $53 and a plastic table for $13. These items were much-needed additions to my home and have made our living conditions more comfortable. Since my son had school fees arrears of $100 at his private school, I cleared that too. Education is my top priority, and settling the fees has brought me peace of mind. I also bought seat covers for $35 to keep the new seats clean and maintain them for the long term. The remainder of the money went to transport and lunches as I moved around to make these purchases and take care of daily needs. This transfer has been a blessing because it allowed me to balance urgent family needs with investments for the future. I now feel more secure and hopeful for what lies ahead.

After a long day at my casual job, I was on my way to fetch water when I suddenly heard a message notification on my phone. Curious, I checked, and to my surprise, it was an M-Pesa message confirming I had received money from GiveDirectly. Instantly, my heart filled with joy and excitement! My first thought was, "Finally, I can fence my farm with wire mesh!" The goats had been such a problem, constantly destroying my crops, and I felt stuck because I couldn't leave the farm unattended. Now, I knew I could protect it and have peace of mind.

Before receiving the cash transfer, I constantly struggled with the problem of animals destroying my crops. I had always wanted to plant pawpaw and bananas but couldn't do so without proper fencing to protect the farm. The floods had already ruined my farm in a distant location, making things even more difficult. However, after receiving the transfer, I was able to buy wire mesh and finally fence my one-acre farm at home. Now, I have peace of mind knowing my crops will be safe, and I can focus on other important tasks without worrying about goats and other animals. I’m grateful that I can now move forward and plant the pawpaw and bananas I've always dreamed of.

After receiving the cash transfer, I felt a wave of relief, knowing I could finally tackle some of the challenges my family was facing. The first thing I did was use $50 to purchase wire mesh. My farm had been vulnerable to damage from livestock, and with the wire mesh, I knew I could protect my crops. This gave me peace of mind, as I no longer had to constantly guard my farm against goats that often ruined my hard work. Next, I used another $50 to clear my child’s school fees. He had accumulated many arrears, and it had become a burden on our family. Along with clearing the fees, I bought him a tracksuit for school. Now, I no longer have to worry about the school calling me about unpaid fees, and my son can attend school without any disruptions. It feels like a weight has been lifted, knowing he can focus on his education.The remaining $80 went toward purchasing food for my family of three children. We had been struggling for a while, as I mostly rely on casual jobs, and we didn’t have enough food at home. Being the second wife in a polygamous marriage, I often manage things on my own, as my husband is a police officer and has to support another family as well. But since receiving the cash, our lives have improved. I’m no longer depending so heavily on my husband, and for that, I am truly grateful.