This coming year, my biggest goal is to start a small business and open a shop in a new area that I’ve set my sights on moving to. I’ve been scouting the place for a while now, and one thing is clear: there isn’t a single shop within the neighborhood, which creates a good market opportunity. People would really benefit from a reliable place to buy their daily essentials nearby, and I know I can fill that need. Once I receive my third transfer payment, I plan to use a portion to complete paying for the plot I have in mind, ensuring I have a solid base to set up my shop. It’s exciting to envision it finally taking shape, knowing that my little store could become a go-to spot for the community. Farming has been my main source of income up to this point, mainly growing tomatoes and vegetables, which has been both rewarding and challenging. But with the unpredictable weather and rising costs, I know I need to diversify my income. Opening this shop will be my way of balancing the risks that come with farming and finding a steadier source of revenue.

Receiving support from GiveDirectly was truly a life-changing experience. When they began their initiative in our community, I was amazed by how they approached us directly, without going through local leaders or other intermediaries. This direct connection made me feel like they genuinely cared about reaching me. The decision to provide us with cash was equally remarkable; it allowed each of us to decide how best to use the support for our personal needs. Additionally, the GiveDirectly staff were some of the kindest people I have ever met. They listened to us and explained every step of the process clearly. From the start, everything was planned out well, and I felt reassured by how smoothly everything went. Honestly, I can’t think of anything that needs to be changed. GiveDirectly's model gave me not only financial freedom but also respect and trust, something many programs often overlook.

The floods have made our current home unsafe and moving to higher ground is necessary. I used $250 from the transfer to pay for a piece of land that I have been paying for in instalments. We plan to leave our small plot here for farming, which will help us sustain ourselves. I also used $103 to buy 10 iron sheets to prepare for the new building and another $50 on posts and frames, which are the foundation we’ll need for this new structure. Getting these materials now felt important so we could start construction as soon as possible. I used what was left to buy food for our household. Since the flooding started, feeding everyone has been a daily struggle. Having a stockpile of food now means we can be secure for a while and focus on moving and building, without worrying as much about where our next meal will come from. Every dollar has been carefully spent to get us through this difficult time, and I feel hopeful that soon, we’ll be settled in a safer place, ready to rebuild our lives.

I was at home taking a shower when my phone rang. I rushed out of the shower and immediately called back. It was my neighbor on the line. We were both in the last batch awaiting transfers from GiveDirectly in our village. He told me he had received his money and was full of joy. I ended the call to check if I had also received my transfer. Sure enough, I received a message confirming that $180 had been deposited into my account from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed because I knew how much this money meant to me. I was in the middle of a crisis caused by floods, which made finding job opportunities impossible. My immediate thought was to solve this issue permanently. I decided to use the money to find a better place to live, away from the threat of floods, so my family and I could live happily and without fear of floods again.

The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly is that I can finally own a plot in a safer place, away from the threat of floods. This means I will permanently mitigate this threat. Without GiveDirectly, this would have remained just a dream, but now it is a reality. I have just paid $100 as a deposit and plan to pay the remaining $600 in installments. I am grateful for this timely support from GiveDirectly.

After receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I immediately thought about buying a plot of land. I live near a river and was severely affected by recent floods that caused a lot of destruction, especially to homesteads that were swept away. I knew right away that if I didn’t permanently mitigate this threat, I would risk continued losses and disturbances from floods in the future. With this in mind, I spent $100 as a deposit to secure a plot in a safer area. I also spent $55 to buy a sheep as a long-term investment. My vision is for the sheep to multiply so I can use it to meet my family’s emergencies in the future. Additionally, I spent $13 on medication for both me and my kids. The floods had caused my children to suffer from common colds and malaria, but with GiveDirectly’s assistance, I was able to address these health issues immediately. I used the remaining money to buy food. During the floods, it was extremely hard to find any work, and the best option was to seek refuge in a camp. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I could address these urgent needs and ensure my family's well-being.