I consider myself fortunate to own four acres of land, but due to a lack of capital, I have only been able to plant on one acre in the past. This year has been particularly challenging, as I lost my entire crop; however, I refuse to let that setback deter my plans for the future. I am determined to invest in irrigation equipment, including a generator, which will enable me to plant more efficiently and in a timely manner across all four acres. I intend to use my final transfer to make this investment a reality, as I believe it will significantly increase my yields. With the income generated from planting the entire four acres, I will be able to meet my family’s needs, including school fees and daily expenses, ensuring a more stable and secure future for us all.

GiveDirectly excels in delivering financial assistance directly to recipients' phones, significantly minimizing the risk of corruption. This approach ensures that the funds reach those who need them most without the interference of intermediaries. Additionally, the organization’s practice of providing money in installments allows recipients to plan effectively and allocate resources more wisely over time. When funds are given in one large sum, it can lead to misuse or hasty spending, undermining the intended support. I can’t identify any areas for improvement; I believe continuing this effective strategy will further enhance its impact on communities.

With my transfer, I first bought two goats for $50 and $70 each, which will help provide fresh milk for my eight children. Milk has been quite expensive, and having these goats means that my young children will get the nutrition they need. As the goats multiply, I can also sell some of them to help pay for my children's school fees. I have two children in high school, and I paid their cumulative arrears of $150 to avoid them being sent back home. Additionally, our living situation was challenging after floods destroyed many of our household items, including our sofa. To improve our comfort, I purchased a new sofa for $55, which was necessary since we had limited seating. To ensure we have enough food, I bought three bags of maize for $70, 15 kilograms of beans for $21, and spent $14 on other food items, especially after losing our maize crop to the floods. Getting food was a challenge. At the time I received my money, one of my children was unwell, so I spent $15 on his medication. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

I was at home relaxing after a hard day at work when I heard a message notification on my phone. Out of curiosity, I picked it up and read the message immediately, and to my surprise, it was the GiveDirectly transfers. I couldn’t believe it—I was so happy that I called my wife over right away to tell her the news. She was just as thrilled as I was. Finally, our plans to buy food for the family and clear my daughter’s school fees were within reach. It felt like a huge weight had been lifted off our shoulders.

The biggest difference in our lives right now is that our children are happier than before. With food available in the house, they get to eat meals that are enough, and they sleep with their tummies full. This has given them the energy to go to school daily with bright faces because they have been eating well. I used to worry about whether they'd have the strength to concentrate in class, but now I see them excited about their studies, which is such a relief. I cannot be thankful enough to GiveDirectly because they have brought us happiness and hope in our lives, something we lost during the floods. When the floods came, we lost so much—our home, our crops, and our sense of security. But now, with the unconditional cash we received, we’ve been able to rebuild our lives.

When I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to prioritize my daughter’s education. She is in Form Four, and her future depends on how well she does in her final exams. The $50 I spent on her school fees was essential because she had arrears that needed clearing. After that, I spent $48 on maize and beans to feed my family. The floods had devastated our farm, destroying everything we had planted. With no harvest and no casual jobs available, putting food on the table had become a daily struggle. The maize and beans will sustain us for a while, ensuring that my family doesn’t go to bed hungry as we try to get back on our feet. The rest of the money went towards replacing essential household items and addressing my son's health needs. I bought three plastic chairs, a table, and some plates and cups since the floods had swept away what we owned. Every cent was spent with careful thought, addressing our most pressing needs to help us move forward.