My plans initially, before these floods brought havoc on our homestead, were to focus on agriculture. I intended to use the proceeds to build a larger, more spacious house because the current one—a single room made of iron sheets—is insufficient for accommodating my family. However, due to the current circumstances, I have had to rearrange my plans. Now, I am seeking a safer location away from flood-prone areas. I aim to build a smaller house where we can reside temporarily while we wait for the floods to subside.

One thing I appreciate about GiveDirectly is your transparency in carrying out your work without corruption. Additionally, I admire the way you make promises and fulfill them. When you say you will receive the cash on a certain day, it arrives exactly as promised. Furthermore, your dedication to continuing your work without surrendering, even when faced with challenges, is commendable. Keep up the excellent work!

Previously, life was very hard for me. I wasn't employed, and the only work available to me was farming. However, sometimes I lacked the capital to start farming or even the money to rent land for it. After receiving a third transfer, I used $200 to clear the arrears of the farm I had initially bought but hadn't completed payment for. I saw this as a good opportunity to stop renting land for farming and instead have my own farm.After completing the payment for that half hectare, I invested $150 to plant maize on it. Unfortunately, all the maize was swept away by floods, including the house I had built with the second transfer. Currently, we are living in Salabani Primary School, which is located in a raised area safe from floods.I also spent $90 on food. Getting food was very difficult, especially while supporting a family of five. I took up casual jobs like working on other people's farms or doing farming around Lake Baringo to make ends meet.The remaining cash I used to pay my utility bills so that I could save for the future. Thank you so much GiveDirectly for improving my life. I am certain that if it weren't for these floods, I could have harvested around 40 bags of maize, providing food for my family and giving me the means to make other investments.

I plan to expand my land from one acre to two acres. This extra land will let me grow more crops. The surplus from these crops will help me pay for my children's school fees when they join high school. I have 11 sheep and aim to increase this number to 15. I expect that within a year, these sheep will have grown in number significantly. This increase will help cover various needs. For instance, if there's an emergency or I struggle to gather enough money for school fees, I can sell some of the sheep. Engaging in crop farming and sheep rearing will provide diverse sources of income, improving the economic stability of my household.

The support from GiveDirectly has positively impacted us. I now own land and have been able to boost my farming activities. The unconditional nature of the support allowed me to address my needs directly. Sometimes, there are personal and pressing needs that are hard to share. With this support, I could tackle these issues on my own, unlike conditional aid where you might receive food but actually be facing more serious problems than just food scarcity. Education from GiveDirectly officers on wise spending helped me and others in the community to use money wisely, leading to positive impacts as people made good use of the funds. Creating awareness about the amount of money to expect next promoted harmony among families. It allowed for prior planning, where you could have discussions and come to an agreement on how to spend the money before receiving it. I don't see anything that GiveDirectly needs to improve on. I hope they extend this program to other communities using the same approach.

I live on half an acre piece of land that I utilize for housing and farming. I have two kids, a boy, and a girl, and I hope to have more. It's a cultural tradition to allocate land to sons. So when I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to buy an additional half an acre of land next to mine, which my neighbor was selling for $400. I paid a deposit of $200 and will clear the rest later. This extra land will expand my farming and provide a place for my son(s) to live in the future. I also have a maize farm on one acre of rented land. Which I used my first transfer of $200 from GiveDirectly to manage the crops. Now, my maize is ready to harvest. I've set aside $50 for harvesting. After the harvest, I'm sure my home will have enough food. In addition, I've allocated $30 to clear another piece of land I've just rented from a neighbor. Moreover, I bought a sheep for $60 to add to my flock of 10, naming it GD as a reminder of GiveDirectly's support. Finally, I spent $94 to address food needs, $44 on a sack of maize to sustain us as we await harvesting, and $50 on other necessities.

At 3 pm, sunlight filtering through the windows, I found myself at home with my wife and two kids. A burst of joy enveloped me as the notification from GiveDirectly announced a welcomed gift of $200. In that moment, a cascade of possibilities unfolded in my mind. The immediate plan? Tending to my one acre of maize, weaving through the rows to tackle the overgrown weeds. With the rains gone, my thoughts turned practical that is irrigation to nurture the golden promise of the crop. Yet, beyond the fields, the warmth of the windfall stirred a familial desire. Christmas, with its joyous spirit, beckoned. The immediate future held visions of laughter and celebration as I resolved to organize a heartfelt party for my family, a testament to the transformative power of unexpected blessings.

Since I started receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly, the most significant change has been the newfound ability to adapt and thrive despite the absence of rains. The financial support has enabled me to invest in irrigation, ensuring the well-being of my crops and safeguarding against potential losses. This newfound resilience not only secures the sustenance of my family but also brings a sense of accomplishment and control over our agricultural endeavors. Moreover, the positive ripple effect extends beyond the fields. With the financial flexibility, I fulfilled a heartfelt desire to give my kids a Christmas party, a joyful celebration that aligns with the experiences of others. The atmosphere of happiness within my family has become a testament to the transformative power of these transfers, fostering not just survival but the ability to create moments of joy and abundance.

With the $200 from GiveDirectly, I swiftly pivoted to securing my agricultural investment. The ominous absence of rain threatened my one-acre maize field, pushing me to allocate the funds to crucial tasks—weeding and irrigation. It wasn't just about safeguarding the crop; it was a strategic move to prevent impending losses and ensure an abundant harvest, a lifeline of sustenance for my family. In the spirit of the approaching festive season, I also earmarked a portion for my kids' Christmas clothing, weaving warmth and joy into their celebrations. The rest found its purpose in the heart of our holiday traditions—a family Christmas dinner. This modest windfall wasn't just about meeting immediate needs; it was a thread weaving resilience, abundance, and festive cheer into the fabric of our lives.