I have a dream—a dream of providing my family of four with a better home. Our current living conditions are far from ideal, as we dwell in a mud-walled house that has been infested by termites and washed away by rain. The thought of constructing a two-roomed iron-roofed house fills me with hope and determination. To make this dream a reality, I have set aside $200 for the task. It is a modest budget, but I believe it is enough to create a comfortable and safe dwelling for my family. To fund this project, I plan to sell our goats and honey, assets that I have worked hard to nurture and grow. This endeavor is not just about the physical structure; it is about providing my family with a place they can call home, where they can feel safe and comfortable. It is about eradicating the constant worry of termite infestations and creating a better future for my loved ones.

Empowering individuals to make choices that best suit their needs and aspirations is a powerful way to promote self-determination and improve their overall well-being. GiveDirectly's commitment to providing assistance without imposing rigid conditions acknowledges the wisdom and autonomy of the recipients, ultimately contributing to more effective and dignified poverty alleviation. It is a commendable approach that respects the diversity and agency of those it seeks to assist.

In drought-prone areas, one needs to venture into livelihood sustainability. With my family of 4, we depend on beekeeping, goat raising, and cow rearing. These endeavors have not only put food on our table but have also paved the way for our children's education. Among our children, our son's health has posed the greatest challenge. His recurring illnesses have been a heavy financial burden. In a time of desperation, when we were struggling to finance his treatment at Kijabe, a dear friend extended a helping hand. It was a gesture of kindness and solidarity that touched our hearts deeply, but it also left us in debt to our friend. When I received the transfers, $250 went towards putting food on our family's table; $50 went towards clothing, a simple yet profound act that filled us with a sense of dignity and renewal; and an additional $100 was devoted to our son's school fees in grade 10, an investment in his future that we hold dear. Most importantly, we were able to repay our friend's kindness. With gratitude in our hearts, we returned $50 to them, alleviating the weight of our debt. As I reflect on these recent events, I cannot help but feel a renewed sense of hope. Our journey is not an easy one, but with determination and the support we have received, we stand resilient in the face of adversity. Beekeeping, goat raising, and cow rearing are not just livelihoods; they are our lifelines, and they sustain our dreams of a better future for our family.

My primary goal is to ensure that my children excel in school above all else. Once I have fulfilled my responsibilities concerning their school fees, my next plan is to construct a comfortable and decent house for my family. To achieve this, I understand the importance of taking excellent care of my cows, and as they multiply, I can eventually convert them into the means to build our dream home.

I must say, GiveDirectly has done an outstanding job in improving the lives of less fortunate individuals in society. What truly impressed me was the unconditional nature of the transfers, which sets it apart from other approaches. The insightful compound sensitization meetings were also a highlight as they provided valuable knowledge on Mpesa-related fraud and ways to prevent it. As of now, I haven't come across any aspects that require significant changes or improvements. The overall impact of their efforts has been remarkable, and I commend them for their effective approach in uplifting communities in need.

Upon receiving my transfer, I immediately recognized the urgency of paying my children's school fees, which amounted to $100. Subsequently, my top priority was my son's health as he faced complications with his hand, necessitating a visit to a referral hospital. This medical expense amounted to $210. After addressing these immediate needs, I decided to invest in a beehive, costing $20. With the remaining funds, I purchased essential food supplies for my family. My wife and I are both farmers and also engage in casual work to make ends meet. We are blessed with two children. The support we received has been transformative, bringing positive changes to our lives in a remarkably short time. Thanks to the funds we received, our son received the necessary treatment and is now doing well, for which we are incredibly grateful.

When I received my first payment, I felt a deep sense of gratitude upon seeing a message from the service provider confirming the receipt of $200, which had been sent by Segovia Technology, the exact sender we were informed about when we enrolled with GiveDirectly. I was filled with excitement, and I could not contain my happiness. I eagerly shared the news with my spouse, and later with my children, who were equally thrilled. I received this news around 3:00 p.m., but since there were still some ongoing plans, I had to wait until the next day to withdraw the money. Finally, on the third day, I made my way to the nearby Marigat shopping center, where I collected the full amount from the mobile money shop, and then embarked on my first purchases.

Receiving the initial payment was a significant turning point for us, marking the first time in many years that our household was able to stock an abundant supply of food. Instead of enduring the accustomed routine of having only one meal per day, we now have the privilege of enjoying three meals daily. The immense gratitude we feel towards GiveDirectly cannot be expressed enough, as their generous support has had a profound impact on our family of four. Not only has it restored our sense of dignity, but it has also guaranteed that my children, who are still growing, have access to nourishing meals, ensuring their overall health and well-being.

For the past three years, purchasing food has become a routine in our community due to the challenging weather conditions, particularly droughts that have disrupted our farming activities. The support we received from GiveDirectly brought immense relief not just to my household, but to the entire village, as it gave us renewed hope of being able to afford an ample supply of food to sustain us for some time. After collecting the funds, I promptly used $76 to purchase essential food items for my household, such as a sack of dried maize grains, dry beans, and 2 kilograms of sugar. It brings me great joy to know that my family of four can now enjoy healthy meals again and will no longer be going to bed on an empty stomach. Furthermore, recognizing the importance of securing our financial stability for the future, I decided to spent $70 on acquiring two goats. I envision raising them and selling their offspring down the line, providing a potential source of income to support other projects or contribute to my children's future education expenses. In addition, I set aside $5 to purchase a few secondhand clothes, and used the remaining $38 to settle my outstanding debts with my neighbors. With these debts cleared, I am now free from financial obligations and fully committed to pursuing my goals with unwavering determination with the subsequent transfers.