I have been doing crop farming for a while now, working on half an acre of land that a neighbor generously offered me. My plan for the future is to rent an additional acre of land, which will expand the half an acre I already farm. I intend to plant maize during the next planting season. I plan to use my final transfer to make this happen, as it will help cover the costs of renting the land and purchasing the necessary inputs. By increasing my land size, I will boost my yields, leading to more income. This will not only allow me to continue farming but also give me the opportunity to invest part of the income in adding more sheep to my flock.

GiveDirectly excels in its approach to enrollment by sending officers door-to-door to ensure that every household has the opportunity to enroll without anyone being excluded. The enrollment process is entirely optional, allowing individuals to decide whether or not to participate. After recipients receive their transfers, GiveDirectly conducts follow-ups to confirm that the money has been received and to understand how it is being spent. This practice not only promotes transparency but also encourages responsible financial management among recipients. I believe GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job, and I would not recommend any areas for improvement; I encourage them to continue using this effective approach.

When I received my cash transfer, the first thing I thought of was expanding my small house. The roof was made of only four iron sheets, which made it cramped for our family. With $155, I bought six more iron sheets and nails and paid for labor to expand the house. I also added two more iron sheets to the roof, making the house much more spacious. Additionally, I spent $180 to buy three sheep. I wanted an investment that would constantly remind me of the support I received from GiveDirectly. These sheep represent a future source of income for us, and I am committed to taking good care of them. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially after we lost all our crops to the floods. My husband and I try to produce charcoal, but it’s not a reliable source of income. So, I used $63 to buy two bags of maize and set aside $10 for milling, which will sustain us for a while. I also decided to spend $30 to buy new clothes for each member of my family. It’s been a long time since we were able to do that because most of our income went toward immediate needs like food. Lastly, I spent the remaining $12 on household items like utensils and water containers, which we didn’t have enough of before. I am grateful for the changes this transfer has brought to our lives.

I was at home alone one evening when I received $180 from GiveDirectly. I was so happy that I immediately gave thanks to God before rushing out to share the news with my neighbors. This transfer came at a time when my home was experiencing a severe food crisis, so my first thought was to use the money to address our immediate food needs.

The biggest difference since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly is owning a bed and mattress. These are essential pieces of household furniture that I didn’t have before. I was sleeping on makeshift bedding, which was very uncomfortable and made my nights feel long. I didn’t enjoy my sleep at all. Now, I love going to bed because I have a comfortable place to spend the night. This is something I have always wanted, as I value a good night’s rest. I am thankful and happy for what GiveDirectly has done for me and my village mates.

Recently, upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I was overjoyed and grateful to both God and GiveDirectly for this timely support. My family of four children had been facing a severe food crisis since the floods had swept away the farm we relied on. With no casual jobs available, life was very difficult. I spent $50 to buy food for my family, and now we can comfortably have three meals a day, unlike before when we struggled to eat even one meal. Additionally, I had been sleeping on traditional makeshift bedding, which was very uncomfortable given my old age. I used $80 to buy a new bed and mattress, and now I truly enjoy my sleep. I also spent $45 to buy clothes for all four of my children. I wanted them to feel appreciated and look good now that we had the money. The remaining funds were used to buy chairs for our home, providing more comfort and adding assets that we previously lacked.