With the support I received from GiveDirectly, I plan to plough an acre of land and plant maize. For years, we’ve struggled with food insecurity, often relying on casual jobs to buy enough food to survive. This has been exhausting and unpredictable. Now, I see an opportunity to take control of our situation. The money will help me pay for ploughing and buy quality seeds to ensure a good harvest. For the first time, I feel hopeful that we can break free from the cycle of hunger and uncertainty. Once the maize is harvested, my plan is simple but life-changing. We’ll store enough maize to keep us food secure throughout the year, and I’ll sell the surplus to earn some income. With this, I won’t have to depend on daily labor, which takes me away from my family and never guarantees a steady living. Instead, I can focus on improving our home and planning for the future.

When GiveDirectly came to our village, I was struck by how friendly and respectful their staff were. They took the time to explain everything clearly and treated us with dignity, which made me feel valued. The money we received was truly life-changing—it allowed my family to make decisions that were right for us. What I appreciated most was the freedom to decide for myself how to use the money; no one told me what to do with it, and that trust made a big difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about the program. It’s simple, fair, and empowering, and that’s what makes it work so well.

When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I thought about was building a better house. My family and I were living in a small, cramped structure, and we needed more space to live comfortably. I used $300 to purchase 20 iron sheets and other materials to construct a new house. Now, we have a home with enough room for everyone, and it feels safe and secure. Seeing my children sleep peacefully under a proper roof has been the greatest joy for me. I then used $100 to buy household food items. With this money, I was able to stock up on essentials like maize, beans, and cooking oil. For the first time in a long while, we didn’t have to worry about where the next meal would come from. It has given me peace of mind, knowing that my family is food secure and well-fed. The remaining money went toward buying a sheep. I saw it as an investment for the future. Sheep are valuable here because they multiply quickly, and they can be sold if we ever need urgent funds.

I was at home with my kids when I was scrolling through my phone and saw a message pop up. Upon checking it, I saw that GiveDirectly had sent me $200. I felt grateful and happy for their support. The first thought that came to my mind was to buy construction materials so I could build a new house, as my current one is old and in need of repair.

The biggest difference in my life is the improvement in my living conditions and my family's well-being. Before receiving the cash from GiveDirectly, I lived in an old traditional manyatta with a leaking roof that put my family at risk, especially during the heavy rains. Water entering the house caused us a lot of discomfort and worry. By buying construction materials and cover labor costs, I was able to fix the roof and protect my home from further damage. Now, I can sleep peacefully without the fear of leaks, which has greatly improved our quality of life. Additionally, spending the remaining money on food has ensured that my children have enough to eat. This support has made a significant difference in our daily lives, allowing us to live with dignity and security.

Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I had already planned what to do. I lived in an old traditional manyatta that had a leaking roof, and with the heavy rains we experienced this year, it was risky. Water was getting into the house, causing a lot of discomfort. Because of this, I decided to use $190 to buy construction materials like iron sheets and frames, which also covered the labor for the construction. This investment helped me mitigate the threat of having my house swept away, allowing me to live and sleep in dignity without the fear of a leaking roof. I spent the remaining money on food to ensure my children would not go without meals now that I received this support.