How is your life different than it would have been if you never received the transfer?
When I get my third transfer, I plan to purchase cows so that I can get milk for my family and stop buying milk from the shop, which is very expensive. I believe having my own cows will help reduce costs and improve my family’s nutrition. Additionally, I will combine the income from my business with the transfer to invest in more livestock. This will not only provide a steady source of milk but also give me an opportunity to increase my income through selling the livestock. My goal is to become more self-sufficient and reduce my reliance on external sources. I am hopeful that with hard work and the right investments, I will be able to improve my family’s quality of life in the coming years.
In your opinion, what does GiveDirectly do well, and what does it not do well?
When the officers came, they treated us with respect and patience, always happy to help and make sure we understood everything. They asked if we were willing to participate in the program, and I felt that they genuinely cared about our well-being. I did not notice anything wrong with the way GiveDirectly handled things, and I appreciated their approach. However, I noticed that some people were left out during the enrollment process, and my wish was for everyone in the community to be included, so that we would all be treated equally. I believe that if everyone who needed help was enrolled, it would make a big difference for the whole community. Overall, I am grateful for the support GiveDirectly has given, but I hope future enrollments can be more inclusive.
What did you spend your most recent transfer(s) on?
I am truly grateful for the support I received, and I knew I had to give back to God, so I took $45 as a tithe at church to thank Him for His blessings. Farming has always been my source of livelihood, and with the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to invest $270 in preparing my farm. This included plowing, labor for preparation, tomato seeds, and vegetables. Farming not only helps me meet my family’s needs, but it also helps pay for my children’s school fees. Over the years, I’ve also used the income from farming to buy livestock such as goats and sheep, which I can sell for further investment or to support my business. The floods, however, caused a major setback. They destroyed my beans, goats, sheep, and even the maize in my store, leaving me devastated. Despite this, I didn’t give up, and with the remaining money, I spent $90 on food, ensuring my family had enough to eat. I also spent $40 on stocking my grocery business in town, which has started to grow. Before I had limited stock, making only $10 per day, but now with more stock, I am able to make $24 per day.Though life was hard after the floods, I feel a sense of relief and hope now that I am recovering. Thanks to GiveDirectly’s support, I have been able to rebuild my life and my business. I still have a long way to go, but I am optimistic that with hard work and God's blessings, I will continue to make progress. I am forever grateful for this opportunity.