I want to buy an acre of land to add to the acre I already have. I've been really focused on growing my farming setup here, right where we stay, because this area’s soil is so good, and the climate works well for what I want to do. This extra acre would give me enough space to start larger-scale farming. My plan is to put it all to good use, especially with tomatoes. They're reliable, and since they fetch a good price, especially when supply dips, they’re the best way I’ve found to raise enough money for the purchase. If I keep at it with tomatoes and time things right, I think I’ll be able to afford that additional acre by next year. With the land in my name, I could expand from there. It's all about getting enough land to make farming work for me in the long run. So, that’s my hope. With a bit of luck and a lot of hard work, I’ll be farming double this time next year.

When I first heard about the GiveDirectly program, I was skeptical, but as soon as the money was sent directly to me, that skepticism turned into relief. For once, I felt like I had control over my own life and choices, knowing that they trusted me with this support. They didn’t try to tell me what to do or restrict me; instead, they left the decision entirely up to me. What stood out to me was how clear and transparent GiveDirectly was from the beginning. They explained everything well, making sure I understood how the program worked and what to expect. There was no confusion or worry because they communicated everything in a way that made sense to us. It’s hard to think of anything that should be changed, as they’ve approached this perfectly—letting us be in charge of our choices, believing in us, and providing us with resources we need. I am grateful that, for once, an organization trusted us enough to empower us, without conditions or interference.

I used $200 to buy pesticides and herbicides for my tomato crop since it’s planting season, and my tomatoes need proper care to produce a good harvest. So far, they’re growing well, and I expect to harvest them next week. This investment should lead to a strong yield and some extra income. I also spent another $200 to buy three sheep and one goat. For me, this is a long-term investment, as livestock can multiply quickly. Over time, as the animals breed, they’ll become valuable assets that can help cover future needs, like school fees or household expenses. It’s a small step toward building stability for my family. With the remaining funds, I bought food items to make sure we had enough to eat as we continued working on the farm. Knowing that our basic needs are covered allows us to focus on our farm and livestock without worrying about where our next meal will come from. This cash transfer has given me hope for a better future and a way to create a stable, supportive home for my family.

I had gone to my farm to spray pesticides on my tomato plants to protect them from pests and blight. Returning home around 1 pm to take a rest, I heard a message pop up confirming I had received money from GiveDirectly. My heart was filled with happiness because I had sold my last goat that day to buy pesticides for my tomatoes, and I was wondering where I would get money for the next spraying, which is done every four days. I was already fearing losing my crop after investing so much. Thank you, GiveDirectly; your money restored my hope.

Watching my tomato crops that I had invested a lot in and not having enough money to maintain them cost me my peace. After selling all my twenty goats to buy fungicide to maintain them, which I sprayed every four days throughout the growing period, I still needed more before my crops matured for harvest, and money was a problem, making me more scared of losing my crops to blight and pest attacks. Thankfully, GiveDirectly's support came at the perfect time; it was indeed timely. I bought fungicide to sustain the crop until harvest. Thank you, GiveDirectly. Without your support, I would have lost my crops.

I sold my thirty bags of maize to facilitate planting tomatoes on my one-acre land, utilizing the money for land preparation, seeds, and planting. Maintaining tomato plants is quite expensive because you have to spray them frequently to prevent pests and blight; otherwise, you lose your crops. Since I didn't have any other source of income apart from crop farming and livestock production, I had to sell my twenty goats. On the day I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I had just sold my last goat to buy pesticides, and I was already lost in thoughts about where to get more money to facilitate the rest of the spraying, and I didn't want to lose my crop after investing so much. Receiving the money restored my hope. I spent $150 on pesticides, which will last until harvest. My crops are doing well, and I have harvested six rounds, earning more than $200. Additionally, I bought a sheep worth $40 to remind me of my first transfer from GiveDirectly, and I spent the remaining amount on purchasing a few food items. Thank you, GiveDirectly.