Together with my husband, we have been engaged in crop farming, but we have faced significant challenges due to the rampant drought in our area. For successful harvests, irrigation is essential, yet we often lack the necessary tools. Borrowing equipment has become our norm, and sometimes we struggle to access it when it is in use, which adversely affects our yields. For a long time, we have wanted to purchase our own irrigation tools, but financial constraints have held us back. With my final transfer, I am determined to buy a generator, which will not only enable us to irrigate our crops effectively but also expand our farming operations. We plan to plant throughout the seasons, maximizing our productivity. God willing, with the additional income generated from our expanded farm, we hope to open a kiosk to diversify our income streams. This diversification will provide us with a more stable financial foundation and help us withstand any future hardships.

I love how GiveDirectly excels in supporting the poor in our community. Indeed, unconditional cash can change lives; if you had visited our community before the transfers and now, you would clearly see the positive changes. Additionally, the follow-up on the transfers has motivated us to utilize the money wisely. I truly believe that the program's strength lies in its effective approach. I have not seen any areas that need improvement; I encourage you to continue with the same successful methods.

Receiving my second transfer was a turning point for my family. I spent $100 to expand our house because, as a family of eight, we had been cramped in just one small room. Initially, our home had a roof made of only five iron sheets, but now we have a roof made of seven iron sheets, creating a more comfortable living space for us. After being displaced by floods about five years ago, we have been living on someone else's plot, and recently, the owner offered to sell me the land for $350. With this transfer, I was able to reduce the amount owed by $120, and I plan to clear the remaining balance later. In addition, I rented half an acre of land for $50, where I plan to prepare and plant maize next month. Alongside this, I already have another half-acre of land at home where I plowed for $19, bought black nightshade seeds for $5, and spent $21 on irrigation. For years, my husband and I have been dreaming of our pre-wedding, and now that we have been saving diligently, I was able to set aside $135 from the balance of the transfer to cover some of the preparation costs. I am excited that our plans for the pre-wedding will finally come true next month. Thank you, GiveDirectly!

I was at my neighbor's house for a fundraising day to support their child going to school when, around 3 pm, I overheard some villagers excitedly talking about receiving money from GiveDirectly. I couldn’t check mine immediately because I had left my phone at home charging. But when I finally got back and switched it on, there it was—the money had arrived! I was overwhelmed with happiness, and when my husband came home that evening, I shared the good news with him. We knew right then that our plans to buy watermelon seeds would finally come to pass.

Farming had become a loss for me because, during the floods, I lost 2 acres of maize. It was devastating, to see all my hard work wash away, and it left me feeling hopeless about continuing. I didn’t have the resources to start over, and I was afraid to take the risk again without knowing how I could fund it. But when I received the transfer from GiveDirectly, everything changed. The support renewed my hope in farming, and I decided to take a new approach by trying watermelon farming instead of maize. It was a risk, but with the funds I received, I had the courage and the means to start again. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I am back on my feet, and my watermelon farming is showing promise. I’m hopeful for the future again, something I wasn’t sure I’d ever feel after losing so much. 

With $50 of the transfer I purchased watermelon seeds, as I had already prepared 3/4 of an acre of land for planting. I’ve always wanted to venture into watermelon farming because they mature quickly—just within two months—and they fetch a good price in the market, which would help sustain my family. The next $50 went toward buying pesticides for the farm. Watermelons are delicate, and I wanted to ensure a healthy harvest by protecting them from pests. With a promising yield, I hoped to improve our financial situation and have some savings for future investments in the farm. I used another $50 to buy a sheep, as a way to replace the cow I lost recently. The cow was essential to our household, and although a sheep isn't quite the same, it’s a start. With the remaining funds, I bought essential household food items to support my family.