My plan for this year is to buy land that I will specifically use for farming. Currently, I am leasing land, but I want to have my own space to grow crops. Owning my own land will allow me to farm consistently, which will help solve our food needs and meet our immediate household expenses. With the surplus from my farming, I will be able to pay school fees for my children. The thought of achieving this goal makes me very happy because it means my life will be better, and my family will no longer have to worry about food.

What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is their commitment to transforming people’s lives. They genuinely care about helping individuals in need, and their support has made a significant difference in my community. My recommendation is for them to reach out to more vulnerable recipients so that even more people can improve their lives and gain the opportunities they deserve.

When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude. I used $150 to buy construction materials, including frames and poles, to repair my house, which was almost collapsing and endangering my family of five children. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my children can now live in a more secure and comfortable home. I also used $180 to buy three sheep, as I did not own any livestock before. Now, with these sheep, my family will have access to milk, and as they multiply, I can sell some of them to help pay school fees for my children. After that, I used $100 to pay school fees for two of my children in primary school. Although my child in form two missed school for four days, ever since I paid the fees, they have been consistently attending school. I am truly grateful for this support from GiveDirectly, as it has made a significant impact on our lives.

The money arrived around 3 p.m. while I was at home washing my clothes. I noticed my phone vibrating but didn’t think much of it until I finished my chores. When I checked and saw the funds had come through, I was overjoyed. That same morning, I had sent my daughter to school without any school fees. The very next day, I went to her school, which isn’t far from home, to pay the fees. The timing of the money was perfect, and it felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

Receiving the transfer has made a huge difference in my life. Before, I was constantly stressed about how to pay my children’s school fees. Without the support from GiveDirectly, my kids might have been stuck at home, and I would have felt ashamed in the village seeing them not attending school. They had already been out of school for about five weeks, which was a difficult time for us. Thanks to the transfer, I was able to pay their fees and get them back into school. Now, I am much more at ease, knowing they are receiving their education and not falling behind. 

With the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to make a significant difference in our lives. I used $50 to pay for my children's school fees, ensuring their education continues without interruption. I also bought six chickens for $20, planning to sell them gradually to help cover future school expenses as they multiply. Additionally, I purchased a bed for $50 and chairs for $40, which has made our home much more comfortable. I spent $40 on clothes so that my children could have new outfits and feel happy, as they had very few clothes before.Life has been challenging since separating from my husband ten years ago. I manage everything on my own while also trying to balance charcoal burning and farming. Unfortunately, this year's farming was a complete loss due to floods that destroyed my crops. The floods also took away six of my chickens, further straining our situation.Despite these hardships, the cash transfer has provided a much-needed boost. It has allowed me to address some urgent needs and bring a bit of relief and comfort to my children. Even though the struggle continues, knowing that we have essential items and a small source of future income from the chickens gives me hope for a better future.