My goal for this year and the years to come is to focus on farming to fully recover from the effects of the recent floods. With the support from GiveDirectly, I am committed to approaching farming differently by trying new crops like tomatoes and watermelons, which are in high demand and can generate more income in the market. Making this vision a reality fills me with happiness and hope. Challenges like floods and drought may come, but I am determined not to give up. I will keep trying, working toward a more stable and prosperous future for my family.

What stood out for me with GiveDirectly is the professionalism of their officers. They explained everything in a clear and transparent manner, making sure I fully understood each step of the process. This openness built my trust and made me feel genuinely valued. I really appreciate the structure of the current program and feel it works well. Because of this, I have no specific recommendations for changes. The support I’ve received has been impactful, and I’m grateful for how well the program is managed.

Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly has truly transformed my life, and I am deeply grateful for this support. The first thing I did was use $190 to buy three sheep, as I didn’t own any livestock before and saw this as a great opportunity to start. My goal is sustainability; with time, I know the sheep will multiply and provide support for my family, especially in emergencies. They will also be a source of food through milk and, eventually, income. Next, I used $100 to pay school fees for two of my children in private primary school—a boy and a girl. Ensuring a good education for my children is my responsibility, and it brings me peace of mind knowing that there are no unpaid fees now that the term has ended. With $85, I was able to return to farming after the devastating flood. I planted maize and vegetables on a one-acre plot, and I’ve already started selling the vegetables. The income from this helps me maintain the maize farm, covering the costs of irrigation and ensuring a future food supply for our family. Any surplus from the maize will also generate additional income. Finally, I used the remaining money to buy essential food items and to fulfill a promise I made to my children: to buy them new clothes. They were thrilled, and it was a joyful moment for our family. This support has not only addressed our needs but has filled our home with happiness and renewed hope.

I was in my home garden, tending to my vegetable farm, when my neighbor, a GiveDirectly recipient, told me he had just received his money. He asked if I had received mine, so I quickly rushed to the house to check my phone. To my delight, I found that I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was filled with joy, and my heart was full of gratitude. My first thought was to use the money to expand my vegetable farming by planting more crops on another acre of land. I also planned to pay school fees for my son, who attends a nearby academy. I am truly thankful to GiveDirectly for this support, helping me improve my family's future.

The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been my ability to recover and get back to farming, as well as owning my dream sofa set. During the floods, I had to use all my savings to sustain my family and cope with the disaster, leaving me with nothing. My farm was completely swept away, and I didn’t know how I would recover. When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I used it to restart my vegetable farming. Now, my farm is thriving, and I’m looking forward to selling the produce. I also used part of the money to buy the sofa set I had always dreamed of. Now, I no longer worry about where visitors will sit when they come to my home. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for helping me rebuild my life after the floods and for making it possible for me to achieve something I always wanted.

When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I had an acre of land where I had planted maize and vegetables, but unfortunately, the crops were completely swept away by floods. Determined to recover and start farming again, I used $55 for land preparation and labor since I already had kale seeds. My farm is now doing well, and I hope to sell the produce and plant maize when the maize season arrives. The income will help sustain my family, and I’ll also use it to pay school fees for my two children. I also used $50 to pay school fees for my son, who attends a nearby academy. It was important to me to keep him in school without any interruptions. Additionally, I spent $58 to buy a sofa. I had always wanted to have a comfortable sofa set so that when neighbors visit, they have a nice place to sit. The rest of the money was used to buy clothes for my kids, so they could look good and feel confident. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for this support, which has helped me get back on my feet after the floods and improve my family's well-being.