I remember it was a quiet Sunday afternoon, and I was relaxing at home after church when I overheard my neighbors excitedly talking about receiving money from GiveDirectly. Curious and a bit anxious, I stepped outside the compound to check, as the network in my area is often poor. As soon as I did, my phone buzzed, and I eagerly opened the message. To my surprise and joy, it was the GiveDirectly transfer! My heart raced with excitement—I couldn’t believe it was real! That moment felt like a blessing, and I was overwhelmed with gratitude.

When the floods came, they took everything we had on the farm—our maize and melons were just a week away from harvest, and it all got swept away. I was devastated and knew I had to find a way to make money to sustain my family. Then, GiveDirectly's unconditional cash came, and it changed everything. I was able to replant, and now I have melons that will be ready for harvesting in 20 days. For the first time in a long while, I have something to look forward to. Before, I felt like I had nothing, and the weight of it was almost pulling me into depression. Now, I'm always busy on the farm, and it gives me a sense of purpose that I desperately needed.

When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew it was an opportunity to make meaningful investments. First, I used $30 to plough an acre of land with a tractor in preparation for planting melons. Melons are a profitable crop that takes about 65 to 70 days to mature, so I also spent $15 preparing ridges for irrigation and another $50 to buy quality melon seeds. I'm optimistic that the melons will fetch a good price, doubling my investment and significantly improving my family's financial situation. Beyond farming, I used $30 to buy a 90kg bag of maize, ensuring we had enough food, and another $10 to purchase other essential food items. Having a steady supply of food gives me the energy to work on the farm and manage other tasks. Additionally, I spent $35 on clothes for my three children, my wife, and myself, making sure everyone is comfortable and well-dressed. Education is important to me, so I put aside $20 to pay off my daughter's school fees arrears for Grade 4 at her private school. The remainder of the money went toward transportation costs for my trip to Marigat, where I withdrew the cash. Overall, this cash transfer has not only helped stabilize our current situation but also set us on a path toward a brighter future.