In the coming year and beyond, my aspiration is to establish a fence around my grazing area for the cows and goats that have become integral to my livelihood. Given the expansion with the acquisition of more goats following the second transfer, my primary goal is to devise a strategy to ensure sufficient nourishment for my growing livestock. This strategic move not only serves to segregate neighboring animals but also fosters the flourishing of grass and vegetation. Despite the absence of immediate financial resources, my determination remains unwavering, and I am committed to diligently accumulating savings through my existing business endeavors. These accumulated funds will eventually be channeled towards the acquisition of necessary materials, manifesting my vision of a secure and thriving environment for my animals and, consequently, the sustainability of my family's well-being.

GiveDirectly's program has undeniably made a significant positive impact on the entire community, myself included, by providing a substantial boost that has been greatly appreciated. The equitable distribution of the full amount to all members, including myself, is commendable and has fostered a sense of fairness and inclusivity. The innovation of delivering funds directly to our mobile wallets is truly remarkable and sets GiveDirectly apart from other organizations. This streamlined process not only saved us valuable time but also empowered us with the autonomy to decide how best to allocate the funds based on our unique circumstances. The absence of complaints speaks to the effectiveness of the program's communication and eligibility criteria, ensuring that those included were well-justified, a detail established during the program's initial meeting. Nevertheless, there is always room for improvement. GiveDirectly could enhance its impact by offering additional support mechanisms, such as financial literacy education or long-term sustainable development initiatives, to further empower individuals and communities to make the most of the opportunities presented by these cash transfers.

Upon receiving the latest transfer from GiveDirectly, I found myself relieved as I could finally address some pressing needs within my family. My heart was heavy with the burden of arrears for my three secondary school-going children and one in the University. Determined to secure their education and future, I promptly allocated $150 to clear their fees, ensuring an uninterrupted semester of learning. The thought of their bright smiles as they pursued their dreams fueled my determination. With $100, I purchased essential food supplies for my family of eight, a provision that brought me immense contentment. These provisions sustained us while also supporting our food-selling business, a source of pride and sustenance. The remainder of the funds was directed towards a crucial project - the completion of the fence encircling my farm. Investing in five chain links to fortify the barrier was essential to protect our crops from marauding livestock during the upcoming rainy season. The satisfaction I felt as the fence rose, symbolizing safeguarded harvests and secured livelihoods, was beyond measure. This endeavor was not only for me but for my family, who had weathered challenges alongside me. As I gazed at the finished fence, I was overwhelmed with gratitude for the opportunity to create a better life for those I held dear.

My goal for the upcoming year is to pay my four children's school fees on time so that I can manage other financial obligations in my household. By clearing the fees, I will be able to save money from my restaurant business to add two cows to my herd, which will help me pay for future school fees if my other sources of income fail. Currently, I rely on my restaurant and the sale of milk from an adjacent shop, which I expand whenever I can. I hope that when my children complete secondary school, I will have the resources to send them to their preferred schools.

The families in our community who were previously living in poverty have seen a significant improvement in their living standards since GiveDirectly began their operations. With the cash transfers they received, many were able to acquire livestock and construct new homes, addressing their immediate needs. We are satisfied with the way GiveDirectly manages the program because they do not involve community leaders in the disbursement of funds, and the process is consistently timely with no delays or problems. We hope that other villages will experience the same level of success, and we would be delighted to have GiveDirectly return to our community in the future.

Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am currently able to pay my four children's school fees on time, which allows them to attend all their classes without missing any. With the second transfer, I was able to clear a debt of $200 for my son at university and for my three other children in secondary school. This payment was a relief as it allowed me to work on other income-generating tasks while saving for future semesters. I make daily income from my small restaurant business and engage in subsistence farming for our household's consumption, with the surplus sold to pay other bills. During the rainy season, I usually produce enough food, but I face challenges with stray livestock invading my crops, which causes losses. To prevent further losses, I spent $130 on five rolls of chain links to build a strong fence around my farm. I also used $50 to expand my restaurant business and the remaining funds on household items such as food, toiletries, and clothes for my children.

It was a typical day at the nearby shopping center where I run a small food kiosk when I overheard some customers discussing the message that had just arrived in their inboxes. Curious to know what was happening , they advised me to check my phone to see if I had been enrolled by GiveDirectly. When I picked up my phone from the counter, the message that greeted me was from a Mpesa message, which I quickly opened to read. I realized it was the name of the system used by GiveDirectly thanks to Segovia Technology. Looking into the specifics gave me more confidence because I could see the exact amount I expected the deduction to cover. It was deducted for the feature phone I was given. I called the hotline number and chose the option of giving thanks because I was grateful for the receipt.

The biggest difference in my daily life is the payment of secondary school fees for my three children. Even though I have yet to pay the arrears, I am relieved that the support I received from GiveDirectly is not expected to be returned later. Having a free transfer that I don't have to pay back is a huge help to my children. I am confident that I will remain in school throughout the year without being sent home.

To ensure that I remember GiveDirectly's support after receiving the transfer, I spent $50 on two goats, bringing the total number of goats in the flock to 32. Because we cannot fully rely on subsistence farming due to the drought, livestock farming is our main source of income. To supplement our other sources of income, I run a small business in a food kiosk in a nearby shopping center, Koriema. With an 11-member family, I have been working hard to ensure that I provide enough food on a daily basis, as well as pay the school fees for the three children in secondary school. I am glad that after spending $50 on food shopping, I was able to spend another $100 on school fees. For the first term, I am expected to pay a total of $770, and I am grateful for the assistance I received. Hopefully, the second transfer will assist in clearing the pending $17 after making the final payment of $60 from both savings and the financial support I received.