We live near the river, and this year we experienced severe floods. It was a terrifying night, and by luck, we were not swept away by the rising waters. The water nearly covered us, and the most frightening part was the danger to our 5-year-old daughter. We could not escape because it happened at night, and the water levels were so high inside our house that we had to stand on the bed, holding our daughter above the water for hours, waiting for the levels to recede. That life-threatening experience made me determined to make a change. I plan to focus on crop farming, specifically planting seed maize, and I will use the proceeds to finish paying for a plot on higher ground that we secured on debt. Once we own the plot, we will construct a house there, ensuring our family’s safety from future floods.

GiveDirectly excels at supporting the needy through unconditional cash transfers, and their response to the floods in our community this year was truly thoughtful. We lost almost everything, and honestly, their support has transformed our lives. One of the standout aspects of their approach is the fair and inclusive enrollment process, free from discrimination, ensuring that everyone in need was given the opportunity to benefit. Additionally, their follow-up on the transfers is a commendable practice, as it encourages wise spending and has led to positive outcomes for many. As they continue to support more communities, I suggest they maintain this approach. I don’t have any areas for improvement to recommend.

My house is small, just one room with limited space, and it’s not enough to accommodate visitors comfortably. When I received my first cash transfer, I decided to use $135 to buy 10 iron sheets, planning to use part of my final transfer to purchase the remaining materials and build a bigger house. We only had four plastic chairs, which were not very durable, so I bought a three seater sofa set for $55 to improve our seating situation. At night, we didn’t have enough lighting, so I paid a deposit of $35 for a solar panel, with a daily subscription of $7 to keep it running. I also bought a sound speaker for $80 to entertain us at home and help us to tune in to radio stations for news, as we did not have a television or a radio. Since we lost our crops to floods this year and rely on casual jobs, food has not been easy to come by, as casual work is unreliable. I spent $30 on a bag of maize and $22 on other essentials like sugar, which saved us the stress of worrying about our next meal. My daughter in elementary school had $40 in arrears for school fees, which I was able to clear with the transfer to prevent further accumulation. Lastly, because most of our clothes were destroyed by the flood, surviving with just a few worn pairs was not ideal. I used $60 to buy new clothes for my husband, daughter, and myself, restoring a bit of normalcy after the disaster. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for the support.

After church, around 3 pm, I went to a family meeting in the neighborhood where one of my neighbors suddenly asked if any of us had seen the transfer from GiveDirectly. I hadn't checked because I had left my phone at home with my husband, who was feeling unwell. When I got back home, the first thing my husband told me was that the transfer had come through. We were so excited because we didn't have any money at that moment. The timing couldn't have been better, as my husband was able to go to the hospital immediately to get the treatment he needed.

Since I received the cash from GiveDirectly, the biggest difference I've noticed is in my living situation. The bed and mattress I had were so worn out that I used to wake up every morning with back pains. But now, with the money I received, I was able to buy a new bed and mattress. I sleep well after a long day, and this has brought me so much peace. It's not just about the rest I get—now when someone visits, they can see that I have a comfortable place to sleep, and this has really boosted my confidence. No longer do I feel embarrassed when people come over; instead, I feel proud of the small but significant improvement in my home.

The first thing I did was buy a new mattress for $74. My husband and I got married in January, but our bed was very old and the mattress was very uncomfortable. I used to wish I could go back home to pick up my own mattress because it was so much better. Now, we can finally sleep comfortably and wake up without any aches or pains. Next, I used $15 to buy two plastic chairs to add to the two we already had. This way, whenever we have visitors, we can ensure they have somewhere to sit, which is very important in our culture. I also bought a bag of maize for $35, to ensure that we have enough food to eat. With the remaining $10, I purchased pesticides and herbicides to protect my maize crops from deteriorating further after the floods. Our farm is our main source of livelihood, so keeping it well tendered is crucial. Finally, I used the rest of the money to buy clothes and essential food items for my family. The clothes were especially needed because the ones we had were ruined by recent floodwaters. This cash transfer has allowed me to take care of both immediate and long-term needs, helping to secure a better future for my family.