Given my substantial investment in subsistence farming, I am looking ahead with the aspiration of broadening my endeavors. Alongside my ongoing agricultural pursuits, I aim to venture into goat farming, envisioning it as a means to enhance milk production and bolster my subsistence farming, which is occasionally impacted by unpredictable weather patterns. The inclusion of goat farming presents the opportunity to sell surplus goats, thereby generating funds that can be allocated towards acquiring sustenance and covering household expenses.

I deeply appreciate GiveDirectly for their remarkable efforts. Without their support, life's challenges would have been more devastating. Currently, we possess water collection equipment, which is a tangible outcome of GiveDirectly's support. The organization's unique approach of providing unconditional cash transfers devoid of external interference sets them apart. Unlike other conditional organizations that focus solely on specific items like housing construction for those without homes, GiveDirectly's approach is comprehensive and flexible. Their successful practices should be extended to other villages for a similar positive impact.

Having achieved remarkable success in the earlier projects funded by the initial two transfers, I eagerly anticipated the final payment from GiveDirectly, driven by my determination to continue our planned ventures alongside my spouse. Out of this sum, I spent $245 on buying construction materials, including 11 sheets of iron, 10 building poles, a door, and a window. Out of these resources, five iron sheets were utilized to construct a protective shelter for my newly acquired plastic water tank, shielding it from the detrimental effects of direct sunlight. The surplus materials are designated for the construction of a new kitchen, which holds significance as my current open-air kitchen is consistently affected by rain, necessitating alternative cooking arrangements. Additionally, I spent $70 on the purchase of two bags of fertilizer, which were effectively employed for topdressing a one-acre maize field that has yielded a bountiful harvest and is currently in the drying phase within my storage facility. This harvest not only caters to my sustenance but also generated surplus that I intend to sell. Upon receipt of the funds, I promptly addressed pressing household needs, including foodstuffs, toiletries, and water containers, for which I spent $97. I have set aside the remaining $38 in my savings account, intended for imminent land preparation in anticipation of early next year's planting season—a cornerstone of our primary income source.

I would like to lease a larger plot of land in a location where irrigation is possible. Since tomatoes grow well there and produce good returns, my objective is to plant them in hopes of increasing sales revenue, which will subsequently enhance our family's ability to satisfy our individual and domestic demands. Besides our house, I also want to build a small room that will act as a kitchen because I now cook outside, which is difficult when it's raining.

What I appreciate about Givedirectly is the trust that they have in us to the extent that they let us choose how to spend the money. Few organizations would allow you the freedom to use such a large sum of money in your own way. I thought everything was done beautifully, and I wouldn't change a thing.

The only solution to the ongoing water shortage in our area is to build a water reservoir. Even before Givedirectly came to our neighborhood, I had considered buying a water tank, but a lack of money had prevented me. So, when we were told we would receive the transfer, I seized the chance to plan and buy for a $350, 5000-liter water tank. I can collect rainwater and use it for a long time, which will help me save money as I typically spend $5 each week on water. I am glad that lack of water is no longer an issue in my household. I spent the rest of the transfer, that is approximately $90 to lease a parcel of land for cultivation where I already planted some maize.

After enrolling in the program, I anticipated receiving a notification confirming the first transfer. In one evening at around 4:00 p.m., the notification came while I was home alone. I was overjoyed and eager to tell my husband, who was out on his usual motorcycle taxi job. Unfortunately, despite calling him three times, I was unable to contact him. I then sent him a message for the first time on my new phone, which was delivered properly. I waited patiently for him to return home, and when he did, he was equally excited. However, before collecting the money from the nearby shopping center on the third day, we needed to align our goals.

After spending so much of the first transfer on food, I am grateful that we have never gone a single day without eating since. This has been the biggest difference in my daily life thus far. We have enough food for my household, which I can easily replenish with the proceeds from the casual jobs I have been doing. I am looking forward to the second transfer, which I hope to use in other new projects as I work hard to ensure that I venture into sustainable farming to ensure a continuous supply of foodstuff for our use as well as surplus for sale.

For a long time, I relied entirely on casual labor to supplement my income, while my husband worked as a rider providing motorcycle taxi service after acquiring a motorcycle on loan. Since starting the work, the majority of his earnings had gone toward repaying the $4 daily to the motorcycle seller, and he was unlikely to come home with any extra cash. Casual work on my side had been hard to come by, particularly during the dry season, and all our expectations rested on the first transfer after enrollment. Buying enough food for my family of three was an issue given our limited funds. I paid $90 for a sack of maize, 5 kg of dry beans, a carton of milk with 12 packets, sugar, tea leaves, and salt. We have been eating hearty meals without missing a beat since then. I also spent $30 on two goats that I hope will assist us with milk production in the future and whose offspring will be useful in an emergency. In addition, I needed gutters to gather rainwater from the roof, so I purchased two for $16. Despite the fact that I don't have enough collecting materials, I hope to purchase enough gutters to surround the roof in the future. I used the rest of the money to purchase a $2 rechargeable torch to supplement the solar lighting system we were using, as well as $2 toiletries. I am grateful for the support that I received and look forward to accomplishing much with the second transfer.