I am determined to change my life for the better, and my goal for this year and the years to come is to open a small business in my village. I plan to sell vegetables and other goods like maize flour, sugar, and tea, just to name a few. This business will provide me with a steady income that I can use to take care of my family and meet our daily needs. The thought of having my own business fills me with gratitude because it will bring stability to our lives. I will no longer have to rely on casual jobs or unpredictable sources of income. Instead, I will be able to support my family consistently, ensuring they have food, education, and a better quality of life. I am excited about this new chapter and hopeful that my business will grow, allowing me to continue improving our living standards.

I am so happy and grateful for GiveDirectly, and all I wish for them is blessings. What stood out to me the most is their cash transfer program, which has truly transformed my life. Thanks to their support, I’ve been able to make significant changes that I never thought possible before. My recommendation is for GiveDirectly to enroll even more people, so they too can experience this life-changing opportunity. I believe that many others could benefit from the program, just as I have, and it would uplift countless lives in our community. Their work has had a powerful impact on my family, and I know it can do the same for others.

Recently, I was overjoyed and deeply grateful to receive $450 from GiveDirectly because I knew this would help bring my plans to life. I used $160 to buy two goats, as they thrive in my area and are a long-term investment that will generate income even after GiveDirectly's support ends. Additionally, I spent $99 on construction materials, specifically poles, to rebuild my house. My previous home was damaged by floods, and I want to use these poles, along with other materials from the damaged house, to build a new one on higher ground, safe from future flooding. Food has always been a challenge for my family. We often had to skip meals, so I used $88 to buy food that would last us for two months. This has given me peace of mind, knowing my family won’t have to worry about where our next meal will come from during this period. I also have two children in primary school, and I used $30 to pay their school fees. This has ensured they stay in school consistently, unlike before, when they would miss days due to unpaid fees. Finally, I spent $12 to buy ten chicks, as I plan to start poultry farming. This will help ensure that my assistance becomes sustainable, providing a steady income for my household. With poultry farming, I can meet my family’s daily needs without struggling as much as before. GiveDirectly’s support has truly transformed my life, enabling me to invest in long-term solutions for my family.

I was at home in the evening, around 6 PM, doing my usual chores when my son came to me, holding his phone, and said I had succeeded. I didn't quite understand what he meant at first, so I took the phone from him to see for myself. When I looked, I saw that it was the GiveDirectly transfers that had come through. I was so excited, I immediately went to tell my neighbor that the money had arrived! My heart was filled with joy because I knew that now I could finally replace the furniture that had been destroyed during the floods.

The biggest difference in my life right now is that I no longer have to go out looking for casual jobs to provide for my family. Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, I used to burn charcoal just to make sure my children had something to eat. It was a hard life, always struggling to make ends meet. But now, thanks to GiveDirectly, I have enough to feed my family without having to resort to burning charcoal. I only take on casual labor when the need arises, but it's no longer a daily necessity. This support has truly changed our lives for the better.

When I received the unconditional cash transfer, the first thing I did was use $70 to buy a new bed and mattress. You see, when the floods came, our home was badly affected, and we lost nearly everything, including our bed and mattress. We had no choice but to rely on the mats we had received from the Red Cross. Having a proper bed again has made a world of difference, providing us with a comfortable place to sleep. Next, I bought three plastic chairs for $21 so my family and I could have somewhere decent to sit. Before the cash transfer, we used to sit on plastic containers, which wasn’t ideal, especially when we had guests. Now, we have proper chairs, which has brought a bit more dignity to our home. With $8, I was also able to buy a new school uniform for my son. His old uniform was swept away during the floods, and I didn’t want him to go to school without proper attire. I then used $30 to buy clothes for my children and myself since our clothing was also lost in the floods. It was important to have something to change into. The remaining $30 went toward buying household food items, which helped us get through the weeks after the disaster. I saved the little that was left to cover any emergencies, like buying milk or other food items. Having this cash transfer has helped me rebuild and provide some comfort for my family during a very difficult time.