I am blessed with three children, and as a single mother, I strive to provide for my family through casual jobs and charcoal production. Additionally, I engage in crop farming, though I face numerous challenges, including droughts and floods that often limit my harvests. With my first transfer, I took a significant step toward securing my family’s future by starting livestock farming; I purchased two goats, which I believe will become a valuable asset. My plan is to buy two more goats with my final transfer because goats thrive in our area, and they will multiply over time, providing me with a sustainable source of income. This income will be crucial in helping me meet my children's needs, especially their school fees, ensuring they have the opportunity for a better future despite the challenges we face.

GiveDirectly does well in delivering cash to the poor, which has had a transformative impact on our lives. The organization's commitment to following up on how we spend the money is commendable, as it helps assess the impact of the assistance and encourages wise spending. Additionally, the enrollment process was conducted independently by GiveDirectly officers, ensuring fairness and eliminating any form of discrimination. This approach not only fosters trust in the program but also empowers us to make informed decisions about our financial priorities. I believe GiveDirectly should continue its operations using the same approach, as it is highly effective; I have not identified any areas for improvement.

Living in a grass-thatched, muddy house was tough for my family of four. During the rainy season, it often felt like it was raining inside our home, making everything damp and uncomfortable. Smearing the walls with mud was a constant chore that added to our struggles, and the small space was simply not enough for all of us. Cooking was another challenge, as I had to prepare meals outside, and during heavy rains, we would sometimes skip meals altogether. When I received my second cash transfer, I made the important decision to construct a new one-room house with iron sheet roofing and walls, spending a total of $430 on all the costs. Now that our new house is complete, we are using the old one as our kitchen, which means we no longer have to cook outside. This change has greatly improved our daily lives, allowing us to live comfortably and with dignity. The remaining $20 was spent on food, particularly maize and some other essentials like sugar, as we didn’t have enough at the time. We are grateful to GiveDirectly for providing us with the support we needed to create a better living situation for our family.

I attended a fundraiser in my village, and while there, I heard people whispering that they had received money from GiveDirectly. I didn’t have my phone with me because I had left it at home to charge. After the event, I was eager to check if I had also received the money. Two friends accompanied me as I rushed back home, filled with excitement. When I finally checked my phone, I was delighted to see that I had received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed, and my first thought was to buy a bed and mattress, as I had been sleeping on a makeshift bedding that was very uncomfortable.

The biggest change in my life since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly is that I now own more assets. Before, I didn’t have a bed or mattress and was sleeping on the floor, which made my nights uncomfortable. Now, with a proper bed, my well-being has greatly improved because I sleep much better. I also lacked basic household items, things I had always wanted but couldn’t afford. Thanks to the cash transfers, I was able to buy these essential items, and this has made a big difference in my family's life. We are more comfortable now, and it feels good to finally have what we need.

When I received $180 from GiveDirectly, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it. For a long time, I had been sleeping on the floor without a bed or mattress, which made my nights very uncomfortable. So, I spent $70 to buy both a bed and a mattress. Now, I finally enjoy a good night's sleep, and I feel proud to own them because I have never had a bed before. Another problem I had was lacking basic household items. I used $50 to buy the items we didn't have, which has made me and my family feel more comfortable and more like other families around us. The rest of the money, I spent on food. As a single mother of four, it has been difficult to provide enough food, especially after the recent floods. Now, with enough food for my family, life has greatly improved, and I no longer worry as much about what we will eat. This support has truly made a difference in our lives.