For the coming years and beyond, I want to invest fully in farming, both in crops and livestock rearing. I see this as the best way to secure food for my family and ensure my children can stay in school without interruption. By growing crops, I’ll be able to provide for our daily needs and, hopefully, sell any surplus for extra income. Raising livestock will give us a safety net, as they can be sold if unexpected expenses arise. My goal is to create a stable source of support through farming, one that we can rely on as my children grow. This way, I can give them the education I didn’t have and build a stronger future for our family.

GiveDirectly did an excellent job educating us on how to use the funds wisely. They asked thoughtful questions that encouraged us to consider our needs carefully and provided valuable advice on using the money effectively. Their support made us feel confident and satisfied with their work. We encountered no issues or weaknesses in their program; everything went smoothly. They listened to our concerns and offered guidance that was both practical and helpful. We are truly grateful for their efforts and appreciate the positive impact they have made on our lives.

When my husband passed away 15 years ago, life became a constant struggle. Suddenly, I was alone, raising five children and trying to keep food on the table. Every day felt like a battle just to provide for them through casual jobs, with no stability and little hope for the future. But with this cash transfer, I finally had the chance to invest in something lasting. I used $250 to buy five sheep, which I see as a future investment. In hard times, if I need money, I can sell them to meet our needs or pay for my children’s school fees. Having livestock now gives me hope and a sense of security I didn’t have before.Farming has also been a dream, something I’d never been able to achieve without enough capital. Now, I’ve used $140 to plant maize on two acres, something that brings me both pride and relief. Farming means we’ll have food at home, and with any luck, some extra to sell, providing us with steady income. It’s a comfort knowing that this maize will help support us in the coming months, bringing a stability I could only wish for in the past.Finally, I spent $60 on food to make sure my children don’t go hungry. I’ve been through many days where we barely managed, relying on what little I earned. Being able to buy food feels like such a relief, and I can see it in my children’s smiles when they have full plates. This support has given me the chance to start building a better future, and seeing my children happier is worth everything to me.

It was a Sunday. Although I hadn’t gone to church, I was busy at home washing clothes when I heard a message notification. Initially, I ignored it, wanting to finish what I was doing. But after checking the message, I confirmed that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. A wave of gratitude swept over me because we didn’t have any food in the house, and I wasn’t sure what we were going to do. The timing of the transfer was perfect, like a blessing arriving just when I needed it most.

Life was difficult for me and my children. For years, we slept on the floor with no mattress, exposed to the cold every night. The floor was hard and uncomfortable, and we used mats as makeshift mattresses. My children, being young, were especially vulnerable. Without proper bedding, they often caught colds and the flu, which made them feel miserable and added to my worries. Every night, I would lie awake, uncomfortable and exhausted, constantly concerned about their health. Since getting the mattresses and bed, the difference has been remarkable. My children no longer sleep on the cold, hard floor, and they have been healthier. I no longer have to worry about them getting sick as often. We finally have a sense of comfort and safety, and it has made a huge impact on our daily lives. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

I am a widow with 5 children, and for many years, I slept on the floor with them because I couldn’t afford a bed or a mattress. This exposed them to the cold, and it wasn’t safe for us, especially since my children are still young. After doing casual jobs, I would come home exhausted, only to sleep uncomfortably, constantly worrying about my children’s well-being. Buying a mattress felt impossible due to my limited income from casual jobs and charcoal production, which I relied on to sustain my family. I also tried farming to diversify my income, but the floods wiped out everything. When I received my first GiveDirectly transfer, I spent $115 on two mattresses and a bed for us. I also used $30 to buy clothes for my children, who hadn’t had decent clothes in so long I couldn’t even remember the last time I bought them new clothes. The remaining $50 went toward food since I had lost my crops in the floods. Before the transfer, I struggled to get food through casual jobs and charcoal production, both of which were unreliable. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to get enough food to sustain us for a while.