Going forward, after addressing the housing issue and adding the extra room, my primary goal is to return to farming. I plan to grow maize and beans, and this time, I aim to do even better than before. I will be farming on 3.5 acres of land, compared to the 1.5 acres I had previously. With the support from GiveDirectly, I now have more capital to invest in my farm, which will result in more income. The thought of getting back to farming after the devastating effects of the floods fills my heart with gratitude and hope for the future. I am excited about the possibilities and the chance to rebuild my life through farming.

GiveDirectly has done an excellent job in informing us about the program, from the census to registration and even the follow-up. Their communication has been outstanding and very clear throughout the process. I have no specific recommendations for changes to the current program, as I have not experienced any shortcomings. The program has been very effective and helpful as it is.

When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I immediately allocated $210 to buy construction materials, including iron sheets and building poles. My current one-room house is too small for my family of five, so my goal is to add an extra room to better serve our needs. I am waiting for GiveDirectly’s final transfer to make this plan a reality. I then used $200 to buy four goats. Goats thrive in our hot climate and reproduce quickly, which will provide my family with milk and, if needed, an emergency income source. Finally, I used the remaining funds to buy grains, as floods recently swept through my farm, leaving me no harvest. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family has food security, even in these challenging times.

I attended a prayer day for my neighbor’s son, who was in form four when I received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was with several other recipients, and my heart was full of joy and gratitude. During the event, people began whispering for us to check our phones because GiveDirectly had sent the money. As we were coming back, we sang throughout the journey in celebration. It was a day full of joy, made even more special by the fact that it happened during a prayer day that brought many people from my village together. It was truly memorable. My first thought was to go home and plan how to use the money properly so that I could do something that would make me remember GiveDirectly for a long time.

The biggest difference in my life now is the sense of peace I enjoy. Previously, I was always worried about where to find the next coin for food and other household needs. Now, I have enough food to eat, and I feel confident welcoming and serving visitors when they come. I also have a bed and mattress that I bought with the GiveDirectly money, which has been especially helpful after the floods that swept away our household items, including bedding. I now sleep peacefully and comfortably, thanks to GiveDirectly. I am deeply grateful for the positive impact they have had on my life.

Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I took some time, after the excitement, to plan how to use the money wisely. At that time, I didn't have bedding and was sleeping on the floor, which was very uncomfortable. I decided to spend $95 to buy a bed and a comfortable mattress, and now I enjoy a good night's sleep. I also spent $45 to buy new clothing for myself and my family of four. This has greatly improved our confidence, making us feel more presentable for events and welcoming visitors, as we now look like the rest of the community. Additionally, I spent $40 on food because, at that time, we had no food and were struggling to put meals on the table. I needed to address this need, especially with the money I received, to ensure my family had enough to eat.