I have a plan to buy a piece of land to live on because where I currently reside floods a lot, and I worry about the damage it might cause when it rains. When I receive my maize proceeds in December, I will sell them to purchase a higher plot of land that is away from the floods. This new location will provide my family with a safer environment. I believe this is a crucial step toward securing our future and ensuring my children's well-being. Additionally, I plan to start farming on this new land, which will help us meet our basic needs and generate more income. Overall, I am determined to create a stable and safe home for my family, free from the threat of floods.

One thing that impressed me is how GiveDirectly educated us about their work procedures. They explained everything clearly, which made us feel comfortable and informed. When they promised us the money, it really did arrive, and we truly appreciate their support. I have not seen anything negative about GiveDirectly; everything has been positive. The help they provide has made a big difference in our lives. However, I think they could improve by reaching out to more people in need so that even more families can benefit from their support.

When the cash transfer arrived, I was very stressed about how to pay my children's school fees. I had two kids in secondary school, and I paid $250 for their fees. Before this, I used to farm and sell livestock to support their education, but I had to sell all my animals to cover overdue fees. Heavy rains also damaged my maize, and I had to spend $150 for workers to help with the harvest because the floods almost took everything away. Luckily, GiveDirectly helped me just when I needed it most. With the remaining $50, I bought clothes for my five children. Their old clothes were in terrible condition, and they didn't have decent outfits for visiting the hospital or going out. My wife and I are just farmers, and life has been hard, especially when it comes to meeting our basic needs. However, after receiving this cash transfer, I can now focus on other important things without constantly worrying about school fees.The floods have really affected us, destroying 15 chickens and damaging parts of my maize farm. Still, I am thankful for the support from GiveDirectly because it has greatly reduced my stress. Now we can finally relax a bit and think about the future, knowing that our children's education is secure and that we can work on rebuilding our lives.

I was on my farm tending to my calves when I heard my phone beep with a message. Curious, I checked, and there it was: I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I couldn’t believe it at first and had to check it twice just to be sure. I rushed home to tell my wife, and we both couldn’t stop smiling. Things had been really tough for us at that time, and this transfer felt like a lifeline. It was a moment of pure relief and joy.

Managing school fees was a major source of stress. I was constantly worried about the possibility of my two children in high school being sent home due to unpaid fees. The arrears had mounted to $160 for both, and I knew that if I couldn’t pay, they would be sent home soon. I felt a great relief when I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was finally able to reduce a significant portion of their arrears, leaving a balance of $60, ensuring they could continue their studies without interruption. The fear of them being sent home vanished, and I could focus on other pressing issues, knowing their education was secure. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

Receiving my first transfer came at a time when things were really tough for me. Aside from crop farming, my income sources included charcoal production, but the floods had made this nearly impossible. The surrounding area was still flooded, which made it hard to continue with the charcoal business. I have two children in high school, and their school fees were a priority. I had already managed to pay $50 each, but I still had arrears of $80 each. With my transfer from GiveDirectly, I was able to pay $50 for each child, reducing the balance to just $30. Ensuring my children could stay in school without being sent home was crucial. Additionally, my maize crops weren’t ready for harvest yet, so I bought a bag of maize for $35 to sustain us while we waited for the harvest. Further, my children’s mattress was worn out, so I decided to buy a new one along with shoes for them, which cost me $33. To honor GiveDirectly's support and as a future investment, I also bought a sheep for $30. I see it as something that can grow in number and help us in the future.