I want to start a business where I’ll exchange maize for maize flour. You see, the maize mills are really far from here, and it takes around 30 minutes just to have your maize milled. That’s quite inconvenient for many people around. I plan to begin by milling just two bags of maize at first. Then, I’ll offer flour to my neighbors in exchange for their maize, which will keep things circulating locally without everyone having to travel far. The money I’ve made from farming will help me kick off the business. I believe it’ll be profitable, but more than that, it’ll make life easier for my neighbors. In the end, I’ll not only be making a living but also helping my community solve a challenge that’s been here for a long time.

When I first heard about GiveDirectly, I didn’t know what to expect, but from the moment their staff came to our community, I was impressed. They treated us with so much respect, speaking to us kindly and making sure everyone felt heard. They took the time to explain everything clearly—how the program works, how the money would be sent, and what we could do if we had questions or problems. I wouldn’t change a thing about how GiveDirectly handled everything. The process was smooth, and there was no confusion from the start to the end. They did exactly what they promised, and it was clear they respected us throughout the entire journey. I can’t think of anything that needs improvement—they got it all right.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $80 to pay my daughter’s school fees. She’s in Form 3, and I had to clear the arrears so she could stay in school without disruptions. After that, I spent $30 to plough an acre of land and another $80 to buy beans seeds. It’s the right season for beans, and since they sell well in the market, I saw it as both an investment and a way to make some income later. Thinking ahead, I leased an additional acre for $120. I plan to use it to plant maize next year since it’s a crop that provides both food and profit. In the meantime, I made sure we have enough food by buying a bag of maize for $28. At least now I don’t have to worry about hunger in the house for a while. Food security is a priority, especially when you have children depending on you. Lastly, I bought a goat for $85, as it’s a good long-term asset. It can provide milk and can be sold or bred in the future if needed. With the little money left, I treated myself to a pair of trousers and a shirt. It felt good to buy something for myself after taking care of so many responsibilities. I believe looking good is important too—it lifts your spirits.

I was at home alone, feeling stressed about how to get the money for my children's school fees. I have two kids in secondary school, one in Form One and the other in Form Three. They were back for the midterm break and needed to return to school in three days with their fees paid. Desperate, I started calling my friends to borrow money because that seemed like the only solution. Fortunately, I managed to gather some funds from my friends. Then, something wonderful happened. I received a notification on my phone. When I checked it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. I was so happy and relieved! The stress melted away, and my mental health improved instantly. I found myself smiling again. I immediately called the friends who had lent me money to share the good news and refunded their cash happily and without delay. This unexpected support from GiveDirectly not only eased my financial burden but also brought immense joy and stability back into my life.

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly has been the ability to pay my kids' school fees on time, even amidst the stress of floods that disrupted my daily hustle. The money arrived just when my two kids were home for midterm, and I needed to send them back to school immediately. GiveDirectly made that possible. I have also enjoyed a stress-free life since I started receiving the transfers. Previously, I would constantly worry about where to get the next coin, and borrowing money was very stressful. Now, my mental health has improved significantly. The support from GiveDirectly has brought stability and peace to my life.

When I received the recent transfer of $200 from GiveDirectly, I was so happy and relieved. It arrived just when I really needed it. My two kids were home for midterm break, and they had to return to school in three days with their fees paid. I had borrowed money from my friends to ensure my kids could continue their education without interruption. I used $89 to pay back the borrowed money, which relieved me from the stress of school fees and left me with no debt to worry about. Additionally, I used $35 to buy food. We were struggling because floods had affected us badly, forcing me to relocate to a neighbor's house in a safer area. This situation had disrupted my daily activities, and we were finding it hard to get food. Finally, I used $30 to buy new clothing for my family and me. This transfer from GiveDirectly greatly eased my financial burden, provided us with necessities, and brought much-needed relief and happiness to our lives