With the grace of God, my current aspirations include venturing into farming activities by utilizing the saved funds from GiveDirectly's most recent transfer to cultivate tomatoes and vegetables. In the immediate future, I aim to settle my two children's school fees. Looking ahead, I have a great desire to resume my education. Having completed my secondary schooling several years ago, I was unable to pursue further studies due to financial constraints. It is my intention to enroll in an agricultural-focused program, equipping myself with the necessary skills to establish an agro-chemical outlet. This venture would involve the sale of agricultural inputs and livestock medications to fellow farmers, thus contributing to the household's income and facilitating the payment of my children's educational expenses.

The state of our village prior to GiveDirectly's involvement was distressing, especially for the elderly who were enduring hardships without any support. Some went days without a meal, while others turned to alcohol as a means of escaping their challenges. The introduction of unconditional cash transfers has led to substantial changes, resulting in purposeful and transformative activities within the community. Children have resumed their education, and there is an abundance of food. Previous aid we had been witnessing had been directed specifically to the elderly and the most vulnerable, yet GiveDirectly's approach was impartial and just, as it involved everyone without favoring a particular group. This marked the first time I had received support in my lifetime, and I commend the organization for its fairness and for not relying on community leadership to select recipients. The execution was commendable, and I hope for its continuity. Looking forward, I suggest that GiveDirectly conduct independent research in order to prevent more individuals from inadvertently being left out of the program.

Throughout the period of utilizing the support we received from GiveDirectly, I had been collaborating closely with my supportive husband to formulate and carry out our plans. I am pleased that upon receipt of the final transfer, he was able to utilize $50 to repair his motorcycle, which has previously served as our primary source of income, catering to school fees for our two children and other household expenditures. Additionally, we spent $36 to purchase essential food items like maize, beans, and sugar for our family of four. Recognizing the need for furnishings in our new house, we used $44 to acquire two tables and three plastic chairs, enhancing the interior look of our home. Having leased a parcel of land some months ago, planting had been hindered due to insufficient funds to purchase the required seeds or seedlings for the entire acre. With the remaining funds, I am content that I can now acquire all the necessary inputs for farming. This step will hopefully enable me to plant the entire plot, relieving me of the casual labor I engaged in when land was not available for cultivation. Leasing this land marks a significant stride toward achieving self-sustained food production for our family of four.

Looking towards the upcoming year and beyond, my objective is to venture into the cultivation of maize and tomatoes, recognizing their potential for higher profits. This endeavor serves as a stepping stone towards establishing a stable retail business in the future. The ultimate goal is to alleviate the financial burden of upcoming school fees. With optimism and perseverance, I believe that I can transform this vision into a tangible reality over time. As I reflect on my journey, I express deep gratitude for all that I have accomplished thus far.

The operations of GiveDirectly left a strong impression on me, as they were carried out with remarkable competence. The officers entrusted with the census and registration process executed their responsibilities with great efficiency, effectively introducing us to the program and providing us with comprehensive information. They prioritized our consent, ensuring that we were fully engaged and valued our opinions. We were given ample time to express ourselves, and our thoughts were treated with the utmost respect. This level of consideration and inclusivity further solidified my positive perception of GiveDirectly's operations.

My spouse and I work as farmers, with my spouse also engaging in part-time motorcycle taxi work. We are blessed with two children. The financial assistance we received from GiveDirectly has truly been a blessing in our lives, providing us with the means to comfortably meet our daily needs. Previously, we faced challenges due to the unforgiving weather conditions. Upon receiving the transfer, I allocated $30 towards purchasing foodstuffs. Additionally, I initiated a goat-rearing project by investing $270 in acquiring six goats. Lastly, I used $50 to cover my children's school fees. Knowing that we have enough food in our home brings me a deep sense of fulfillment as a parent, as I am confident that my family will not go without it. This was not always the case, as we previously lacked a stable source of income. I am immensely grateful for the support we have received, as it has significantly uplifted our lives.

I was returning from the farm when I received a message from GiveDirectly at approximately 3:00 p.m. I was filled with excitement as my house had burned down a week ago, and my only kitchen was destroyed. I urgently needed to construct a new one. I immediately informed my husband as soon as he arrived home that evening, and we had to make changes to our plans due to the fire incident. The following day, I withdrew the money and purchased construction materials to build a new kitchen.

The biggest difference in my daily life since receiving the recent transfers is my new venture into farming. Leasing land for farming has been a great opportunity for my family, as it provides a means of generating additional income. Prior to receiving the transfers, farming was unfeasible due to our lack of funds to lease land and manage the farming process effectively. However, with the support of GiveDirectly, we were able to lease land over a specialized period, which has been a great advantage. Farming requires careful management, and we now have the resources to do so, which has greatly reduced our losses. This has been a significant change in our daily lives and we are grateful for the support provided by GiveDirectly.

As the primary provider for my family of four, I had been struggling to make ends meet by taking up casual labor on nearby tomato farms. Farming was not feasible due to our living conditions on rocky and sandy ground, and leasing fertile land was sometimes too expensive. My two children accidentally set fire to my grass-thatched kitchen just a week before I received the transfer from GiveDirectly, forcing me to redirect my focus to building a new one. For the kitchen roof, I paid $42 for four iron sheets and nails. Because I couldn't afford to buy more iron sheets for the walls, I opted to use mud on the walls. In addition, my husband's motorcycle needed maintenance, which cost $10 for spare parts. Furthermore, my husband's motorcycle needed repairs, which cost $10 in spare parts. I also spent $50 on tuition for my two daughters who attend a private school nearby. With the intention of earning extra money, I leased a plot of land for $25 and spent the remaining $50 on clothes for my children and other household items that were missing. GiveDirectly's support was quite helpful, and I am appreciative. With the subsequent transfers, I expect to do much more.