Going forward, my focus will be entirely on farming, as I believe this is the key to improving my life. I plan to occasionally change crops to ensure that my farm remains productive and adaptable to different seasons. By reinvesting in farming, I can continuously improve my livelihood and create a steady income for my family. This approach gives me the confidence that I can provide for my household and achieve long-term sustainability. The thought of being able to grow my farm, make better choices, and improve our lives fills me with joy and satisfaction.

What stood out for me with the GiveDirectly program is the unconditional cash that has allowed us to change our lives in the ways we think are best. This support has given us the freedom to address our most urgent needs and make long-term improvements. My recommendation is for GiveDirectly to continue their work and extend help to other people in need, so they too can experience the positive impact this program has had on our lives.

After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I saw this as an opportunity to get my life back on track and create a way to generate income consistently. I decided to invest the entire amount in farming, as I am physically disabled and had previously relied on my family and neighbors for support. I used $250 to buy ready kale seeds and the remaining $20 to maintain my farm by purchasing the necessary pesticides and setting up irrigation. I planted the kale on half an acre of land, and I’m hopeful that I will have a consistent harvest for the entire year. This will provide my family with both food and sustainable income, helping me pay school fees and meet other immediate household needs. This investment in farming has given me a sense of independence and hope for the future.

I plan to start a business of buying and selling livestock, specifically goats and cows, as there's a strong market for it, especially on Thursdays, our local livestock market day. To kickstart this, I will plant vegetables on the land I have leased with my second transfer from GiveDirectly, along with the land I already own. I plan to use the profits to fund the business. Once it's up and running, I will manage the livestock business myself while my wife manages our crop farming. Together, this will allow us to generate enough income to support our family, including covering our children’s school fees. This plan aligns perfectly with my goal of moving my family away from relying on casual jobs and focusing on farming and business to secure a stable future for us.

GiveDirectly has done an incredible job supporting the poor in our community, and the impact is clear. People have been able to improve their lives in many ways, from building new houses to starting businesses and raising livestock. The education provided on the source and purpose of the cash, along with guidance on wise spending, has allowed us to manage the money effectively and without fear. The follow-up from GiveDirectly officers ensures that people are making good use of the funds, leading to significant community development. In my opinion, GiveDirectly should continue with the same approach and expand to support even more people using these successful methods. The approach is truly effective.

Two years ago, an accident left my legs paralyzed, and I became unable to support my family of five. Since then, we’ve relied entirely on my wife, who takes on casual jobs to keep us going. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I saw an opportunity to change this by venturing into crop farming to ease her burden. I began by purchasing a generator to support irrigation, as droughts are frequent in our area and reliable water access is essential for a successful harvest. I also bought four bags of fertilizer, each costing $35, to ensure the crops would thrive. Given that my own land is only half an acre, I rented an additional acre for $120. For the past two years, I had been leasing out my land due to my inability to farm, but with these new resources, I’m planning to plant vegetables on both the leased and owned land this October, using my final transfer. My goal is to help my wife step away from casual jobs and focus on our farm, so that together, we can generate enough income to sustain our family. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

That afternoon, I went to our nearest trading center to pass the time, socializing and chatting with the men in my community. I had also taken my phone to be charged in a nearby shop while we continued our discussions. Later in the evening, I went to retrieve my phone with the intention of heading back home. Upon checking my phone, I noticed an unread message. To my surprise, it was a notification indicating that I had received money from GiveDirectly. Excitedly, I rushed home to inform my spouse, who shared in my joy. We quickly made plans for her to travel to Marigat town the next day to withdraw the money and purchase food, which was our most urgent need at the time.

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving transfers is that I no longer worry constantly about my children going hungry. With the GiveDirectly transfer, I was able to buy two sacks of maize, ensuring we can now eat three meals a day. This food will last us until we receive the next transfer, and it brings me immense joy as my children will be well-fed and happy. Before this, we depended on my wife to find casual work, which was not always guaranteed. Sometimes we lacked food completely, forcing my children to go around to our neighbours to borrow food. This situation caused me a lot of stress, but I could not help because I could not provide for them due to my disability. Additionally, I am so happy that my wife can take a bit of a break from the constant struggles and stress she faces while fending for the family. Seeing her have some relief is a huge weight off my shoulders.

My life has not been the same since my legs became paralyzed two years ago due to a long-term illness. This condition left me disabled, and unable to provide for my family. I am grateful that my spouse stepped in and did everything she could to support our family of five. However, her efforts were not enough to cover all our basic needs, and my children often missed meals or had to borrow food from our neighbours, which was embarrassing but unavoidable. When I received the transfer, it was a lifeline. I used $60 to buy food, ensuring that we would not go hungry for a while. I am happy to see the health improvements in my children as a result. I also used $95 to buy two mattresses—one for us parents and the other for our children. We had been sleeping on old rugs, which was very uncomfortable, especially given my condition. Now, we can sleep comfortably. I used the remaining amount to pay school fees for my two children in primary school. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for making this possible.