When the floods hit my village Longewan, they swept away our maize farm along the shores of the river Perkerra. With farming as our sole source of income for our family of six, I had to shift our cultivation to our compound to ensure we could still provide food for everyone.Now, the challenge we face is irrigating this new farm. The water channels are quite far, so I need to use a water pump. I already own one, but the problem is the high cost of fuel. In a typical month, I have to irrigate five times, which adds up to $40 in fuel expenses. This is a significant burden because I have to take on casual jobs on other farms to raise this money, and those jobs are hard to come by. Sometimes, I even resort to charcoal burning just to make ends meet. It is a tough situation, but I am hopeful that with some adjustments and support, we can navigate through this difficult time and ensure our family's food security without compromising our financial stability.

Late last year, I planted maize on my 1.5-acre piece of land, which I was fortunate to harvest in January 2024. As a family of six dependent on farming for our livelihood, this harvest was crucial for us. Despite the hardships of irrigating the farm, I am grateful that we succeeded in producing enough food for the household. It is a relief to have this source of sustenance, especially considering the uncertainties and challenges we faced throughout the growing season. This harvest not only provides food but also a sense of security and stability for my family. Moving forward, I am hopeful that we can continue to overcome obstacles and sustain ourselves through farming.

Purchasing milk for the household has been financially straining, especially since it is a basic necessity, crucial for our growing family. Despite having a farm where I could raise a dairy cow, I have not been able to afford one due to our financial constraints. Our family of six relies on farming, casual jobs, and charcoal burning for income, all of which goes towards providing food with nothing left to save. With GiveDirectly's transfers, I now have a sigh of relief and a plan to improve our situation. I intend to spend $350 to purchase a dairy cow, which will provide milk for my family. Additionally, I plan to spend $100 to service my motorcycle so it can assist in transporting our farm produce to the market on time, ensuring we maximize our income from farming. Another $50 will go towards servicing our water pump, crucial for irrigating our farm. Lastly, I plan to use $150 to construct a new latrine, as our previous one was destroyed by floods, leaving us to use makeshift solutions like bushes.These investments are essential for improving our daily living conditions and ensuring that our family's basic needs are met more sustainably in the future.