I’ve been thinking a lot about what I want to accomplish next year. The first thing is to work really hard on the farm. My plan is that when I get a good harvest, I’ll buy half an acre of land where I can finally settle. You see, where we live now, it floods every time the rains come, and it’s become too stressful. I need a place where my family can feel safe no matter the weather. I'll use that land for both living and farming—something that gives me stability. I hope to have one acre in total, so I can keep farming to sustain us. This way, we’ll not only have a secure home but also land to grow crops, ensuring that no season goes to waste. Another goal I have is to buy five more goats. Goats are really important—they’re like insurance. If something comes up, like an emergency, I can always sell one or two and get what I need. I already have a few goats, but these extra ones would make all the difference. Farming will be the key to getting those goats. If all goes well, by this time next year, I’ll have everything in place.

When I received money from GiveDirectly, it felt like a fresh start. They explained everything clearly from the beginning, making it easy to understand how the program worked and what to expect. I appreciated how they followed up to see how I spent the money—it made me more mindful of my decisions. Knowing that someone would check in encouraged me to use the money wisely, focusing on things that could improve my life long-term. Honestly, I wouldn’t change anything about the program. The whole process, from receiving the money to the follow-ups, was smooth and respectful. It felt like they trusted me to make the best choices for myself while also supporting me through their follow-ups. I felt empowered, not pressured, and that’s something not every organization achieves.

When I received the first cash transfer, I used $390 to buy 30 iron sheets. I’ve been living in a mud house, but it’s barely standing now. The floods hit us hard, and although I’ve tried to repair it, the house keeps falling apart. My goal is to build something more permanent, and these iron sheets are the first step. I’m waiting for the third transfer so I can buy wooden frames and finally get the house construction going. With the rest of the money, I bought food for my household. The floods destroyed our crops, and we lost everything we had planted, leaving us with no harvest. As a single mother with four children, it’s my responsibility to make sure they don’t go hungry. The food I bought has given us some relief, and I can now focus on our next steps without the immediate worry of hunger weighing on me. This support has made a real difference, but I know there’s still a long way to go. Once the house is done, things will start to feel more stable. Until then, I’ll keep pushing forward, knowing that each small step brings us closer to the life I want for my family.

While washing clothes by the river, I overheard my neighbors mentioning that the money had arrived. I was shocked because we were told the transfers would start in July, but they came earlier than expected. I was surprised but very happy, knowing that one of my biggest problems, having to borrow a generator from neighbors, would soon be resolved, as I could now purchase one. This thought kept running through my mind as I continued washing.

Thank you so much, GiveDirectly, for making a difference in my life. I now have my own generator, so I no longer have to borrow from others. I am confident that I will no longer suffer with farming, and I will continue to work hard to improve the lives of my children. In the future, I will look back and say that we have a better life thanks to the support and funding we received from GiveDirectly.

I separated from my husband about five years ago, leaving me with four children to care for. Life was very hard, and I struggled a lot, doing casual jobs that paid only $3 per day, which wasn't even enough for a day's meal. We often collected vegetables from the bush and bought maize flour. Sometimes, when I couldn't find work, we went to bed hungry. I tried to balance it by working on my own farm, but the major problem was the need for a generator to pump water to the fields. Sometimes, I couldn't access a generator, and my farm would dry up, causing me to lose all my crops. So, when I received my transfer, I used $160 to purchase a generator. I had only one chair at home, so I spent $16 to buy two more, so visitors would have somewhere to sit. I also bought shoes for my kids for $10; they are very happy now, having nice shoes like other children. Lastly, I used the remaining amount to buy food to ensure we have enough at home. Thank you so much, GiveDirectly, because I see a better life through your support.