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’s support through unconditional cash transfers is truly transformational. By providing cash directly to the community, the organization has fostered significant development, enabling us to plan according to our diverse needs. GiveDirectly promotes equality, as everyone receives the same amount, without discrimination or involvement from external parties. There has been no instance of bribery, ensuring fairness and transparency throughout the process. I believe that God sent GiveDirectly to uplift lives, and I encourage them to continue using this effective approach, as I see no areas needing improvement.

My two children are set to join high school in the coming term, and another is already in high school. I have set aside $150 for their school fees, which I plan to combine with my final transfer to cover the total cost. Education is very important to me, and I want to ensure that my children can continue their studies without interruption. Additionally, many of our household items were worn out, particularly the utensils, to the point where I could no longer serve a visitor comfortably. Our furniture was also scarce for our family of six. I spent $88 on new furniture and utensils. Furthermore, food has been a challenge, as our reliance on crop farming this year did not pay off; we lost our crops to the floods. As someone with a disability, I could not contribute much physically, so I had to rely on my wife to manage things. I spent $50 on food to ensure we had enough to eat for the time being. Goat farming does well in our area, so I decided to invest in it for the future. I had sold all my goats to cover school fees, but knowing how much they had helped me in the past, I spent $50 to buy a new goat. I know that with time, it will grow and provide an additional source of income to help with school fees and other needs. Finally, I used the remaining funds to invest in farming. I planted maize on my two acres of land, hoping it will help us recover the losses we experienced this year. If the maize succeeds, it will provide us with income to support my children’s education, add more livestock as my resources grow, and continue crop farming. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

One evening, I was sitting outside with my wife and children when I received a message from GiveDirectly notifying me that I had received $180. I was filled with happiness and relief. The first thing I did was turn to one of my sons, who had been staying home for almost a week due to a lack of school fees. I told him, "You’ll be going back to school tomorrow." It was a moment of joy for our family, knowing that the burden of school fees had been lifted.

The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my son’s education. Before the transfer, he had been at home for a week, missing out on his studies because I couldn’t afford his school fees. But after receiving the money, I was able to send him back to school, and since then, he hasn’t missed a single day. This has brought me great relief, and I no longer feel the stress of worrying about his education. I am truly thankful to GiveDirectly for this support.

Immediately after receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I used $60 to take my son back to school. He had been home for a week due to a lack of school fees, and it was a stressful time for me because I didn’t want his education to be interrupted. Now he’s back in school, and I’m very grateful for that. Next, I addressed the food situation at home. The floods had swept away my farm, leaving me with no harvest. I used $34 to buy food for my family, ensuring we had regular meals during that difficult time. I also used $60 to take my other child, who was sick, to the hospital. The floods brought cold weather, and diseases were common, but thanks to GiveDirectly, my child is now back to good health. Lastly, I spent the remaining money on clothes for my family, and we all appreciated the support. This assistance has made a big difference in our lives.