In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspiration is to leverage the income generated from goat farming to acquire a parcel of fertile land that will enable me to engage in subsistence farming. This endeavor holds the promise of providing ample sustenance for my family of eight and alleviating the high expenses associated with purchasing food. A driving factor behind this decision is my eagerness to expand my involvement in subsistence farming, a practice I had not previously pursued. Over time, I have heavily relied on buying food from neighboring farmers, incurring substantial costs. This challenge can only be resolved by venturing into productive farming on more fertile land, distinctly different from the rocky terrain we currently possess.

As part of the neighboring villages, we express our gratitude for the invaluable support rendered by GiveDirectly, which grants us the freedom to exercise our own choices. Unlike other organizations that often impose predetermined usage of aid, the transfer we received from GiveDirectly was unrestricted. While we have encountered other organizations operating selectively, typically engaging those with specific needs to undertake targeted projects, it is heartening that GiveDirectly stood out by empowering each individual to make informed decisions according to their unique household challenges. This approach was intentionally designed to accommodate everyone, with follow-up mainly focused on understanding how the funds were utilized. Looking ahead, there is nothing I would wish to be amended in this approach; our only desire is for more support similar to this, extending not just to us but also to those who are in need.

Amidst the harsh and prolonged drought that grips our community for the better part of the year, goat farming has remarkably thrived, capturing the attention of many households seeking to invest their hard-earned money. The resilience of goats, which subsist on shrubs and thicket leaves, makes this venture irresistible, particularly for those of us residing on arid and rocky terrain, where farming space is limited even with available irrigation methods. From the very first transfer I received to the most recent one, goat farming stood out as my preferred investment choice. In a nearby market, a national goat auction takes place each December, with goats typically fetching an average of $117 as per the previous auction records. With this in mind, I combined the second and third transfers, amounting to $900, to acquire 28 goats, comprising 22 males and 6 females. Presently, my focus lies on fattening this newly acquired herd and supplementing the existing count of more than 50 goats in preparation for the December sale. The proceeds from this endeavor are meant to purchase a piece of arable land within our immediate community, where I intend to engage in subsistence farming to provide ample food for my family of eight.

In the upcoming year and beyond, my primary goal is to utilize the savings we have accumulated, along with the anticipated proceeds from the goat sale that we plan to take to auction in December, to purchase a piece of land. Acquiring land is crucial, as it will enable us to engage in farming activities and generate sufficient food for my family of eight. In the past years, meeting our food needs has been a challenge, despite the dedicated efforts of my spouse in his current employment. Therefore, securing a piece of land is a significant step towards overcoming this challenge and ensuring food security for my family in the long term.

GiveDirectly has consistently performed admirably and has maintained impartiality since its inception. I am pleased that even in cases where some individuals did not receive assistance, the reasons for their exclusion were clearly communicated. The staff members who visited were approachable and provided detailed explanations, ensuring transparency throughout the process. The decision to entrust us with the choice of how to spend the funds bestowed upon us was a commendable approach. However, there is always room for improvement, and GiveDirectly should continue to enhance their outreach efforts and ensure that all eligible individuals have access to their support in time.

In our community, livestock farming has been the predominant economic activity for a significant period of time. Among the various investment options, indigenous goat farming stands out as the most favored due to its ease of management, as the goats can freely graze on the abundant thickets and shrubs. Additionally, there is a readily available market for them, which encourages many farmers to invest in this sector. When I received the first transfer, I spent it to purchase four goats, and with the second transfer, I expanded my livestock farming by acquiring an additional eight goats at a price of $50 each. My plan is to raise and fatten them in preparation for the highly profitable annual goat auction, which attracts goat farmers and buyers from across the country. I aim to purchase a piece of land that can be utilized for farming by using the proceeds from the auction, as the majority of the available land is currently covered by rocks, making it challenging to sustainably provide food for my family of eight. I am grateful that the support from GiveDirectly has supplemented my husband's income from his current job.

I was initially skeptical about receiving money from GiveDirectly during enrollment and could nor believe that it will come to pass. However, at around 4:00pm, just some weeks after, I received a message that was surprising but with exciting news. Upon reading the message, I was extremely delighted. Since my children were still in school, I was unable to share the news with anyone. Nevertheless, I informed my husband over the phone, who was also thrilled, as we had already made plans on how to spend the money.

Receiving the first transfer has made a significant impact on my daily life, allowing me to achieve milestones that would have been impossible without the financial support. Purchasing four goats has been particularly transformative for my family, providing us with hope for the future. This change has had the most significant impact on my daily routine. I am thankful for the support and eagerly anticipating the subsequent transfers, which will enable us to do even more.

My family consists of seven members, with five children actively attending school. Due to the harsh climatic conditions in our region, we have shifted our farming focus to livestock farming, specifically indigenous goat farming that can thrive in shrubs and thickets. We typically sell their offspring to meet our financial needs. When I received the first transfer, it was during a period where the sun was scorching, and I couldn't do any farming. Therefore, I used the entire $200 to buy four goats, each costing $50, which I added to our existing herd of 20. My intention is to breed them for milk production and offspring that we can sell in the future to pay for our children's school fees. I am grateful that the goats are doing quite well, especially after the onset of rain, as their feed is slowly sprouting.