That day, I woke up and proceeded with my usual chores without checking my phone, as it was still charging. While I was cleaning, my husband called to tell me he had heard that people had received their GiveDirectly money. I quickly checked my phone and saw that I had received mine too! I was happy and immediately called my husband to share the good news. My first thought was to use the money to clear a debt we had been worried about.

For about six months, the $400 debt we carried after our crops failed due to floods weighed heavily on us. My husband and I do casual jobs, and we tried to reduce the debt little by little with our small savings, leaving a balance of $100. The stress was overwhelming, knowing we still had balance. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, it was a huge relief; we were able to clear our debt completely. Now, we finally have peace of mind and can focus on our needs, something that had no longer been a priority.

We are crop farmers, and early this year, when the rains came, we didn’t have enough money for planting. We borrowed $400, hoping to get a good harvest from our acre of maize. Unfortunately, heavy floods destroyed all our crops, leaving us in debt. We managed to pay back $300 of the loan, leaving a balance of $100. When I received my first cash transfer, I immediately decided to clear the remaining debt. Additionally, my husband and I wanted to make an investment that would serve as both a reminder of GiveDirectly's help and a way to secure our future. So, we bought two goats with the remaining amount. These goats will supply us with milk, and as they multiply, we will sell, especially the males, and use the money to address arising needs. This way, we are building a sustainable source of income for the future. Thank you, GiveDirectly.