In the coming year, I am eager to dive into farming as a means to support my family of seven. My starting capital is just $20. I have devised a plan to earn this amount through casual jobs like weeding, seizing every opportunity to build the foundation for our farming venture. I see this as more than just a financial endeavor. It is about nurturing the land, providing sustenance, and creating a future for my family. With each day's labor, I am sowing the seeds of our future. Farming is not just a livelihood; it is a commitment to nurturing the soil and reaping the rewards it offers. I understand the challenges ahead, but I am ready to embrace them. From cultivating the land to tending to the crops, I am prepared to pour my energy and dedication into this venture. It is about building something substantial from the ground up, step by step, seed by seed.

Witnessing families being uplifted through GiveDirectly's assistance has left a profound impact on me. In my own family, I am grateful to have experienced the tangible benefits—access to food and the acquisition of valuable assets—that have truly made a difference in our lives. As things stand, everything is more than fine; it is thriving. GiveDirectly's approach has been instrumental in transforming not just individual lives but entire communities. Their dedication to making a sustainable impact has been remarkable, and I would not wish for a single thing to change about the organization. The stability they have brought to our lives, ensuring basic needs are met and empowering us to acquire assets, is invaluable. It is not just about receiving aid; it is about the dignity and empowerment that come with it. GiveDirectly has set a standard in support that goes beyond charity—it is about enabling families to shape their futures with dignity and hope.

When the transfers came through, I knew just how crucial each dollar would be for my family of seven, whose livelihood relied heavily on farming. The priority was sustainability, so I allocated $200 for goats and $190 for a heifer. These animals meant more than just livestock; they were an investment in our future, promising a continuous source of income. Health was also paramount, so $15 went towards medical insurance, ensuring we had access to necessary care. The rest of the funds were wisely spent on food supplies. It was a juggling act, ensuring we had enough to sustain us while also preserving for the future. Those investments in livestock were not just about the present; I am happy they were about building a foundation for stability. Our reliance on farming was not just a job; it was a way of life, one that required constant care and attention. As I looked at those goats and the heifer, I saw more than animals; I saw potential. They represented a future where our family would not just survive, but thrive.

In the coming year and beyond, I aspire to maintain my dedication to farming activities, beginning with the expansion of my goat farming venture. Currently, I have a herd of 10 goats, and I aim to increase their number as a future security measure while also supporting my children's school fees. As a contingency plan, I will continue to engage in maize and bean farming whenever there is rain, as this remains our primary source of food, and any surplus can be sold to cover other household expenses.

I have to say, that GiveDirectly truly exceeded our expectations, and everyone in our community was absolutely thrilled with the support we were provided with. We were able to accomplish so much with the support we received, and what made it even better was the freedom to use the money in any way we saw fit. Everything about the program was flawless, and honestly, I could not ask for any improvements. As the program continues in other villages, I hope they can replicate the same level of success and satisfaction that we experienced here.

To address ongoing issues with my neighbors' livestock, particularly goats, encroaching on my farm and damaging crops, I spent $188 on wire mesh to enclose the field, boosting my confidence in preparing the land for planting and anticipating better yields now that I have successfully blocked off livestock intrusion. I also spent $80 on food supplies, including maize, beans, and sugar, to sustain my family of 12. My previous reliance on subsistence farming occasionally forced me to sell one of my livestock to purchase food when crops failed. Additionally, I invested $2 in toiletries and saved the remaining $180, which has been instrumental in covering my monthly hospital check-ups for my epileptic condition. I am appreciative of GiveDirectly's support and eagerly await the next transfer.

I was at home, enjoying a relaxing moment with my two younger children, who had just gotten home from school in the evening. Suddenly, my phone alerted me with a buzz, indicating a new message. As I eagerly checked the contents, my joy knew no bounds as I saw the wonderful news indicating receipt of the first transfer. Overwhelmed with happiness, I began singing words of praise, thanking God for this blessing. After talking about our options in the evening, my spouse and I decided to travel to the closest town to buy food for our family. The thought of having enough food to sustain us for a while brought immense relief and delight.

The arrival of the transfer has brought about a remarkable change in my daily life, especially in the aspect of food availability for my children. Previously, as a result of my limited earnings from casual labor, essential food items were often beyond our reach. With only about $3 per day as income, finding work opportunities was difficult, and this small amount could barely cover all our basic needs. As a result, we often struggled to afford enough food, leading to hardships for my family However, the transfer has been a game-changer for us. The financial support has made it possible for us to purchase sufficient food for our family of five, and it brings immense joy to see my children relishing hearty meals together each evening.

My spouse and I rely on the irregular and meager income from casual work, such as farming and fetching firewood and water, to make ends meet. With the current economic challenges causing prices to soar, our daily earnings of about $3 are barely sufficient for our basic needs. Often, we find ourselves skipping meals, and this particularly worried me because I have a five-year-old child who needs proper nutrition during this crucial growth stage. Thanks to the transfer, we were able to purchase the essential food items worth $100, bringing a sense of relief that my children would not have to go without food anymore. Additionally, I used $60 of the transfer to partially pay off my two children's tuition arrears. Though there is still a long way to go in clearing the outstanding balance of $500, I am optimistic that the amount I paid will encourage their teacher to allow them to continue attending school until the next transfer arrives. As a ray of hope for the future, I invested $40 in purchasing 10 chicks to start my poultry farming venture. I believe that as they multiply, this endeavor will become a reliable source of income for my family in the long run. I am grateful for the transfer, as it has brought significant positive changes to our lives and given us hope for a better and more secure future.