For the past five years, I have been living in a grass-thatched house with muddy walls, which has been challenging to maintain. I often have to hire labor for repairs, and the grass in our area is frequently destroyed by ants, forcing me to replace the roof every year. Finding new grass has become increasingly difficult, adding to my struggles. To resolve this, I plan to build a house with iron sheets, which will be more durable and easier to manage. I intend to use the proceeds from my current maize crop, which I planted on two acres of land. The crop is doing well, and I expect to harvest it in three months. With the earnings, I hope to finally put an end to these ongoing maintenance issues and improve my living conditions.

I appreciate GiveDirectly for supporting people without discrimination, as this ensures that everyone in need has an equal opportunity to receive the transfers. The follow-up on the transfers has been highly effective, encouraging recipients to spend their money wisely, which has led to positive changes in our community. This impact is further reinforced by the sensitization on wise spending during community meetings, which has helped us make better financial decisions, especially with the unconditional nature of the funds. Moreover, receiving the money directly through our phones enhances security and ensures it reaches the intended person without delays. Overall, I believe GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job, and I see no areas for improvement; they should continue with the same approach.

I am a farmer, but after losing my two acres of maize to devastating floods, I lacked the capital to continue crop farming. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew I had to invest it wisely to get back on my feet. I spent $150 to prepare my two acres of land, bought maize seeds, and planted them. I also set aside another $150 to cover management practices, ensuring I could properly care for the crops throughout the growing season. To protect my fields, I erected temporary fencing at a cost of $40, knowing this would keep animals away and give my crops a better chance to thrive. Additionally, to ensure I had food while waiting for the harvest, I bought a bag of maize for $40, beans for $11, and other essentials like rice and sugar for $20. I also set aside $30 for any arising needs and used $6 for transportation to town and back. Thank you, GiveDirectly!

I vividly remember the day I was at home, busy with house chores, when my phone suddenly rang. I checked and saw a message confirming I had received money from GiveDirectly. It was one of the happiest moments of my life. I was overwhelmed with joy and gratitude, knowing that this transfer would finally allow me to start working toward my long-held dream of expanding my farming business. The arrival of the funds filled me with excitement and hope for the future, and I am deeply grateful for this life-changing support.

The biggest change in my life since I started receiving money from GiveDirectly is how much it has improved things for me. I have been able to invest more in my farming, which is my main source of income. One of the biggest achievements was being able to afford an irrigation system, something that felt out of reach before. With this system, I can now pump water from the lake, which has made a huge difference in my farming activities. My crops are healthier, and I no longer have to rely on unpredictable rainfall. This support has made my life easier, and I am very grateful.

I am a single man who relies on farming to make a living, mainly growing maize and other crops. When I received my recent transfer, I knew I had to invest it in my farm because it’s my primary source of income. I used $10 to improve my irrigation system by connecting water from the lake. This was something I had wanted to do for a long time but couldn’t afford due to financial challenges. I am so grateful that the organization stepped in and made it possible for me to finally improve my farm. With the remaining funds, I bought food supplies. Since it was the dry season and food was scarce, I needed to stock up on essentials. I am incredibly happy with the support I have received, as it has had a great impact on my life. It has not only boosted my farming but also ensured I have enough food for the difficult season.