Now that I have my driving license after completing driving school, I am hopeful that I will secure a job to support my family. With a steady income, I'll be able to meet our basic needs and support my children through their education. Farming has proven to be unsustainable due to the challenges we face with irrigation and unpredictable weather conditions. Therefore, I see securing a job as a more reliable way to provide for my family's future.

The support from GiveDirectly has truly elevated me to a new level. The officers conducted themselves with respect and humility, allowing us to express our needs openly. The unconditional nature of the funds enabled my wife and me to plan the cash effectively based on our pressing needs. I admire the approach and effectiveness of GiveDirectly in empowering individuals. Keep up the same spirit and touch more lives.

I work as a motorbike rider to support my family, but my income isn't consistent because it depends on getting customers. Besides riding, I also farm, alternating between maize, beans, and sometimes butternut squash. Farming is challenging, as it depends on irrigation due to our climatic conditions. We rely on a seasonal river that dries up during long droughts. My crops sometimes suffer, leading to low yields or none at all. Making it difficult to depend solely on farming. Paying school fees for my children has not been easy. When I received support from GiveDirectly, I paid $100 towards school fees for my son and daughter, who are both in elementary school, allocating $50 for each. Education is key to a better future for my children. After finishing high school, I couldn't continue my studies due to financial constraints, which has contributed to my current living standards and I wouldn't want the same for my children. Although I managed to attend driving school later, I couldn't afford the license fee. Thankfully, the support helped me pay $70, and finally, I obtained my driver's license. Thinking about the future and seeking additional income sources, I invested $200 in four goats. As they multiply, I can sell some to cover emergencies or school fees for my kids in the future. Additionally, I spent $30 on food items to ensure we had enough to eat, and the remaining $50 went towards buying clothes, as ours were quite worn out. Thank you GiveDirectly for your support.

My strategy involves acquiring a dairy cow or goat while simultaneously constructing a latrine. I intend to utilize the proceeds generated from the farm to turn this vision into a tangible reality.

What caught my attention was the freedom they granted us in utilizing the funds based on our individual needs. Additionally, there's a sense of equal empowerment among us, and this has resulted in a notable boost to the local economy. The initiative has significantly improved the quality of life for the most vulnerable members of our community.

Engaged in both farming and bodaboda services, I am married and fortunate to have two children, while my wife is employed as a teacher. My second transfer was strategically allocated to address various needs and enhance our overall well-being. I invested $100 in agriculture, specifically in planting beans, aiming to boost our source of income. Additionally, $130 was directed towards renovating our house, followed by $90 for the repair of my motorbike, essential for my bodaboda services. Prioritizing basic necessities, $80 was spent on food and clothing, ensuring the well-being of my family. The remaining balance was allocated to address unforeseen emergencies. This comprehensive utilization of the transfer signifies a significant improvement in our financial capacity, particularly because, in the past, our limited funds were primarily directed towards meeting basic needs due to unproductive lands caused by drought.

I was incredibly excited the first time I noticed a message, which I later confirmed to be from GiveDirectly, Segovia technology. I was at home alone at that moment while my spouse was at work, teaching at a nearby primary school. With the certainty that she would be passing by the shopping center on her way home, I immediately called her, shared the thrilling news, and we arranged to meet and collect the money right there. She was equally excited, as we had already laid out plans for what we intended to accomplish with the support, including reviving a taxi business I had been doing before my motorcycle broke down. I later proceeded to the shopping center, where we collected the money together and came home smiling.

The biggest difference in my daily life since receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly is the revival of my motorcycle taxi business, which had been dormant for the past six months. This period had been incredibly challenging for my family of four, as we relied on my motorcycle for income. The strain of doing strenuous casual labor under the scorching sun had taken a toll on my health. I am immensely grateful that I can now earn at least $3 a day through the taxi business, which not only improves our financial situation but also allows us to purchase basic household goods. This transformation has brought a sense of relief and hope, making our daily lives more sustainable and comfortable.

After collecting the money from the nearby shopping center with my spouse, we decided to invest in reviving a motorcycle taxi business by refurbishing my old motorcycle. We spent $100 on buying spare parts and paying for labor, and I am delighted that, despite the challenging economic conditions, I can now earn at least $3 a day. The motorcycle's breakdown had forced me to rely on hard-to-find and low-paying casual labor, which required long hours of work. We also used a portion of the funds, $70, to purchase household goods, including foodstuff and clothes for our two children. With the remaining $30, we acquired plastic seats for our home, which has made our living space much more comfortable. We had constructed a new house previously but lacked sufficient seating, so this opportunity allowed us to provide comfort for ourselves and our visitors. This support has not only improved our financial situation, but has also enhanced our quality of life.