This coming year, I am determined to start building on a plot of land I bought a while back, situated in a safe area where it doesn’t flood. I plan to fund the construction from the proceeds of my tomato harvest, which I’ve worked hard to cultivate. With a good yield, I’m looking at around $5,000 in sales, which should be more than enough to cover the building costs I need for now—about $2,000 to get things started. The remainder, after the building expenses, will be set aside for my children’s school fees, ensuring they can continue their studies without interruption. I’m genuinely excited about both goals, as they’re steps towards building a better future for my family.

Receiving the GiveDirectly money was like a new chapter in my life, allowing me the freedom to plan for my needs without interference. I could decide what was essential for my family, whether that meant buying food, repairing our home, or investing in a small business. The money came directly to me without going through intermediaries, which made the whole process transparent and quick. Honestly, I don’t see anything that needs to be changed about how they operate – everything was handled so smoothly, respecting my independence and understanding that my needs are unique.

I used $350 to buy quality tomato seedlings to plant on an acre of land I had prepared. Tomatoes thrive in this region, and with a little care, they can bring in a good price. I’d heard that an acre of tomatoes can bring in up to $5,000, so I saw this as a perfect chance to recover some of the losses I had faced recently and secure a better future for my family. The floods earlier this season had devastated my maize crop on four acres, leaving us without a harvest. I used the remaining $100 from the cash transfer to buy food and household supplies. It was a relief to have the money to do that, as our stores were empty, and I was unsure how I’d support my family until the next harvest. With the food we bought, we managed for about a month and a half, just enough time to focus on the tomatoes and ensure they were thriving.

I was on the road heading to a nearby hill to check on my goats, which were grazing freely. Suddenly, a message popped up, confirming that I had received $183 from GiveDirectly. I had been patiently waiting for this because I was expecting it, and I knew the plans I had were going to be fulfilled. I couldn't wait to get home and notify my family.

Through my first transfer, I supported myself during the difficult time following the floods that occurred recently in our area, causing devastating losses to my crops on almost eight acres of land. Thankfully, I had goats, which I sold to raise capital for replanting tomato crops on nearly two acres of land. My crop needed to be raised off the ground, but I didn't have the money for the expensive stakes. Receiving my first transfer was incredibly timely and relieved me of stress. I immediately bought the stakes and tended to my crops with urgency, hoping this crop would help me get back on my feet. Additionally, having a family of six and being the sole provider while having nothing to give was overwhelming. The floods destroyed the crops I relied on, despite all my efforts. Your assistance helped me put food on the table, and I am hopeful that I will fully recover. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

I have been doing crop farming to provide for my family while my wife looks after our four children. I also raise goats to diversify my income. My farm is near the river, and I focus on tomatoes, beans, and maize crops, which have been successful for almost five years since I use irrigation. However, this season, we experienced heavy rains that caused floods, destroying my 3-acre tomato farm and 4 acres of maize. Despite the flood shock, I didn't give up because I believed giving up was not an option, as this has been my main source of income. I sold some of my goats to get the capital for planting tomatoes on my other one and a half-acre farm, where I used the amount to prepare the land, buy tomato seedlings, and plant them when the rains and flooding came to an end. When I received my first transfer, my crop was at a stage where raising it off the ground was necessary, so I spent $100 on stakes and the remaining $83 on food. The floods resulted in a food shortage since I lost all my nearly-ready crops, which would have helped us with food. Unfortunately, I lost it all, and getting food was a struggle because I had invested everything in crop farming. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your support.