My plan is to continue with my crop farming because it has proven to be a reliable source of income for me. I aim to use the proceeds from my maize, which I have currently planted, to complete paying off the balance on a plot I secured, which I am currently paying for in installments. Once I fully own the land, I will build on it to create a stable home for my family, away from future floods. Additionally, after securing my family’s future and continuing with crop farming, I will use the proceeds to officiate my marriage by having a wedding and paying the dowry for my wife. This will allow me to formalize our union and focus on growing and supporting my family further.

GiveDirectly does an excellent job supporting the poor, and one of their key strengths is the peaceful manner in which they enter communities. By fostering harmony, they ensure that no issues arise from the support they provide, creating a sense of trust among recipients. Their operations are well-organized and consistent across all villages, making the process smooth and reliable for everyone involved. Additionally, their education on wise spending has been instrumental in helping recipients manage the money responsibly, avoiding illegal activities or misuse. I see no areas for improvement at the moment; GiveDirectly should continue with the same approach, as it has been highly effective.

When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in four goats, each costing $55. I chose goats because they multiply quickly, and I see them as a future investment that will help me address any emergencies that may arise. Additionally, having them around will always remind me of the support I received from GiveDirectly. I also spent $150 as a deposit for half an acre of land priced at $400. The area I currently live in is prone to floods, so I plan to relocate once I finish paying for the plot. Furthermore, I spent $55 to plow my existing acre of land and bought seed maize for $25. I covered additional farming costs using proceeds from my vegetable sales. My maize is doing well, and with a successful harvest, I plan to use the income to meet my family's needs, complete the payment for my new land, and eventually build a house there. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

I  was at the farm, busy weeding my tomatoes, when I suddenly heard a message notification on my phone. My neighbor was with me at the time, and just as I was wondering what the message could be, her daughter came running over to tell us that her mother had received the transfers from GiveDirectly. I quickly checked my phone, and there it was—the money had come through! I was overjoyed, and we celebrated right there in the field, laughing and thanking God. I already knew exactly what I was going to do: buy stakes for my tomatoes to keep them upright and finally pay the dowry for my wife.

When I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference it made was that I was finally able to pay dowry for my wife. This was a huge relief for me because, before that, things weren’t as smooth. Whenever my wife would go back to her parent's home, it used to feel difficult for me to follow her there since I hadn’t officially fulfilled that obligation. But now that the dowry is paid, our relationship with her family has also improved. I have gained more respect from my in-laws, and there is now a real sense of connection between us.  My wife is happier too, which makes life at home much easier and more fulfilling. With that stress gone, we can now plan better for our future together, and it feels like we are really on the same page. All this became possible because of GiveDirectly, and I am deeply grateful for that.

The first thing I did when I received the transfer was buy sticks for staking my tomatoes. I have half an acre of them, and it was the rainy season, so the plants needed immediate support to keep them from lying on the wet ground. I spent $50 on the sticks and another $20 on labor to help with the staking because it’s such a time-consuming task, and I couldn’t manage it alone. That felt like a good investment because, without proper staking, I could have lost a lot of the crop.  I then used $30 to buy clothes for my two children. It’s important to me that they look good and feel happy, and they haven’t had new clothes in a while. Seeing them excited in their new outfits brought me so much joy—it reminded me why every little effort we make for our children counts. I spent $20 on fuel for the generator we use to pump water to irrigate the tomatoes. With the remaining amount, I topped up my savings to buy a cow as part of the dowry for my wife. She has lived with me for five years, and I hadn’t fulfilled that obligation, but this was my chance to make the first step. I was excited to finally show my in-laws that I’m serious about doing things the right way.