My plan for this year and the years to come is to increase the number of goats I have. In this area, farming is not possible due to the harsh climatic conditions and severe drought. We don’t have a reliable water source for irrigation, so the only viable agricultural activity is goat farming, which thrives here. I plan to save money from my casual jobs so that I can buy a goat once in a while. I believe that by doing this, I will be able to sustain my family with enough food and have resources to handle emergencies.

What stood out for me with the GiveDirectly program was their guidance and transparency when they came. They clearly explained who they are and how their cash model works. Through GiveDirectly's unconditional cash transfers, many school-going children have been able to continue their education without interruption because school fees were paid. Additionally, some people have had their hospital bills cleared, and others have been able to buy food. What I would like GiveDirectly to do next is to re-enroll us in the program so that we can fully mitigate the adverse effects of the drought.

Upon receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt immense gratitude for the assistance. After using the first and second transfers to improve our household life, I wanted to contribute to our community through our church youth group. We are members of a church that didn’t have a permanent building, so we decided to pool our resources together. I contributed $200 to help build the church, and the construction is almost complete. Additionally, I used $100 to pay school fees for one of my children who was in form four. I am happy to report that he has completed his studies and passed with flying colors. I am hopeful that he will join college to continue his education. I also provided him with $50 as pocket money to support him during this time. The remaining amount was spent on buying food, a pressing need due to the dry conditions that had made farming impossible. I am so happy for this support, which allowed me to address important needs that I never thought I would be able to fulfill.

Given the persistent adverse weather conditions that have existed for years, we have hoped to reside in proximity to a water source or, at the very least, acquire substantial water collection equipment capable of harnessing rainwater. This yearning has been a prevailing sentiment within my household, as we have perpetually experienced the financial strain of buying water deliveries via motorcycles. Looking ahead into the coming years, my ambition is to amass sufficient funds through livestock farming and my casual labor to facilitate the establishment of a piped water connection directly to my doorstep. This endeavor holds the potential to yield multiple benefits, spanning from household water consumption to supporting livestock rearing and irrigating a vegetable garden, thereby generating supplementary income by supplying vegetables to the local community.

GiveDirectly showcased admirable impartiality in their work, upholding transparency consistently from start to the end. Their adherence to providing the entirety of their commitments in monetary form empowered us with the choice to spend the money according to our needs. The entire approach was efficiently executed; nevertheless, I would propose further refining the strategy by incorporating spontaneous in-person follow-up visits. This measure would serve as a precautionary step to ensure that recipients do not misuse the transfers.

After purchasing a cow with a significant portion of my initial transfer, it unfortunately succumbed to an unknown illness and had to be slaughtered and buried. When I received my second transfer, I used it to purchase another cow despite skepticism due to the prior incident. I also spent $41 on a mattress to ensure a comfortable night's sleep. Other expenses included $20 for utensils, $50 for food supplies, $45 for new clothing, and $20 for farm inputs. Transportation costs were $10 for hiring a motorcycle to go to the shopping center. I used $100 of the remaining funds to support my nephew's new job and contribute to my brother's function at his home. I kept the rest for daily household necessities and supplemented my income from my cobbler job with occasional casual labor. With everything in place, I felt content and relieved.

I still have a clear memory of the moment I received a text notifying me that I had been given $180. I was engrossed in my daily activities at the shopping center when my phone suddenly started ringing. As I checked the notification, I was left speechless. It revealed that GiveDirectly had sent me money. The overwhelming feeling of joy and gratitude washed over me, knowing that this support arrived at a time when we least anticipated it. I felt a tremendous sense of relief, as I realized that we could now work towards achieving our goals. And so, we immediately began the process of planning our next steps.

The biggest difference in my life is the remarkable progress I have achieved within a short span of time. I am immensely grateful that my dreams materialized effortlessly, all thanks to the unconditional transfer I received. One significant accomplishment was the successful fencing of my land, which now allows for seamless ploughing without any interference from my goats and hens. Without the financial support I received, such a task would have been far from easy to accomplish. I am sincerely thankful for the assistance that has significantly elevated my living standards and brought immense joy and fulfillment to our lives.

When GiveDirectly offered me financial assistance, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to transform my life. Despite yearning to own a cow for a long time, the financial burden of providing for food and basic necessities hindered my pursuit. In addition to my work as a cobbler, I took on odd jobs like water fetching for hotels near the Koriema shopping center. Unfortunately, due to my inability to pay for my wife's bride price, she had to return to her parent's home, leaving with my three children. With my initial transfer, I was able to purchase a cow valued at $70, an endeavor that held great promise. Tragically, the cow perished during transport to my home. Nonetheless, I wisely utilized the remaining funds to buy a bag of maize, beans, and other essential food items. I also managed to acquire a bed, providing much-needed comfort for my family. None of these accomplishments would have been possible without the transfer I received, and I am immensely grateful for the life-changing opportunity it brought us.