"Farming has been my source of income for the past 10 years, and I am now focused on expanding my farming activities. My plan is to increase the area under cultivation from two acres to three acres in order to diversify my crops and better manage risks. The challenges I have faced, particularly floods and droughts, have taught me the importance of planning ahead. Therefore, I intend to focus on short-season crops such as butternuts, beans, and vegetables, as they are more resilient and require less time to harvest. By planting these crops on time, I can reduce the risks associated with unpredictable weather patterns. I plan to use part of the proceeds from my current maize harvest to fund this expansion, which will ultimately help me achieve financial stability and ensure a more reliable source of income for my family."

"GiveDirectly does an excellent job of supporting us through unconditional cash transfers, allowing us the freedom to plan for ourselves and meet our unique needs. During the enrollment process, GiveDirectly officers were patient, humble, and understanding. They took the time to ensure that we fully understood everything before proceeding with the enrollment. Furthermore, they treated us all equally, with respect and without any discrimination. I believe there are no areas for improvement; they should continue doing what they do, and I trust that God will bless them for their efforts."

"GiveDirectly excels in delivering aid with kindness and respect. The enrollment process was conducted at the household level, ensuring privacy and dignity for each recipient. The unconditional cash transfers have been instrumental in improving our lives, allowing us to plan and allocate the funds according to our diverse needs. These transfers are sent directly to our phones, with proper education on Mpesa security, including the importance of keeping our Mpesa PIN secret to prevent theft. I have no suggestions for improvement, only gratitude for the positive impact GiveDirectly has made in our community."

"What impressed me most about GiveDirectly is its sincerity and honesty in delivering on its promises. After the community meeting, they assured us that enrollments would begin, and they followed through exactly as they said. Once enrolled, I was informed of the amount I would receive, and it arrived as promised, allowing me to plan how I would use the money even before it came. This support has had a profound impact, especially in helping me address my daughter's medical needs, and I will be forever grateful. I have no suggestions for improvement, only prayers for continued blessings on GiveDirectly as they continue to support more people in need."

"Our house was swept away by floods, and we lost household items like our bed. As a result, my children and I had to move into my co-wife's house. While we stayed with her family, living under one roof with her three children, my two children, and our husband made the situation uncomfortable due to the limited space. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I bought iron sheets and timber. I now plan to use my final transfer to purchase the remaining materials and begin construction so we can have our own space again. Additionally, I intend to buy essential items we lost to restore comfort and stability for my family."

"As a crop farmer involved in both commercial and subsistence farming, the second transfer I received from GiveDirectly came at a crucial time. My tomatoes, which I had planted on half an acre, were doing well, but they needed herbicides and pesticides. I spent $100 on that to protect the crops from pests and diseases. Additionally, I had to support the tomatoes off the ground, so I invested $100 to purchase about 10,000 stakes. Without giving up on farming, I also needed to prepare for the next planting season. I spent $50 to prepare my one-acre land, with plans to sell the tomatoes and use the proceeds to plant maize on the prepared land. Food was another pressing challenge since I had lost most of my crops to floods earlier this year, which had been our main source of income. To sustain my family, I had been doing riding motorbike, but the income was inconsistent. Therefore, I used part of the transfer to buy a bag of maize for $40 and 45 kg of beans for $25 to ensure we had enough food for a while. We also lacked proper seating arrangements at home and had been improvising with wooden planks. With $50, I bought a three-seater sofa set and spent another $35 on five plastic chairs, which now provide enough seating for our family and visitors. We no longer have to borrow chairs from neighbors. Lastly, my wife and I didn’t have decent clothes, so we used $50 from the transfer to buy new clothes, which now make us feel more presentable. Thanks to GiveDirectly."

"My plan is to continue with my crop farming because it has proven to be a reliable source of income for me. I aim to use the proceeds from my maize, which I have currently planted, to complete paying off the balance on a plot I secured, which I am currently paying for in installments. Once I fully own the land, I will build on it to create a stable home for my family, away from future floods. Additionally, after securing my family’s future and continuing with crop farming, I will use the proceeds to officiate my marriage by having a wedding and paying the dowry for my wife. This will allow me to formalize our union and focus on growing and supporting my family further."

"I constructed a kiosk and bought a few items to start with using my second transfer. However, I didn’t finish installing the shelves, which makes it difficult to display and store the items properly. Additionally, the limited stock, due to financial constraints, means we often run out of products that customers request. As a result, they come and leave without purchasing everything they need. I plan to use my final transfer to complete the shelves and add more stock, allowing me to better serve my customers and grow my business"

"The deteriorating health of my last born daughter has given me sleepless nights since the month of August 2024.My daughter a mother of three who separated with her husband 5 years ago was diagnosed with kidney failure early this year.Currently she is hospitalized at Marigat District Hospital. Eliza has been sole provider to me for the past 9 years,since I broke my pelvic bone.Its currently difficult for me to take care of myself as well as her 3 children because I do not have any source of income.My only hope lies on the support from my relatives and the community who also have their own struggles.I am currently living in fear and dispair of what will become of my three grandchildren , I have no strength to work so as to earn money to provide for them or to pay their mother's outstanding bill of KES 25000."

"Inadequate cash to raise a family of 3 is the biggest challenge I am currently facing. I am a single mother vending food in the village earning approximately KES 150 a day as profit. I have three school-going children who are in primary and at different levels of their studies. Raising them single-handedly with the cash I earn from vending food is extremely tough keeping in mind the overwhelming economic time. I am now optimistic knowing that I will soon benefit from GiveDirectly's transfer and our lives will change. I cannot thank God enough for His mercies."