When I received my third transfer, I decided to invest it in farming by planting beans. I chose beans because they require less water, making them a practical option for my situation. Farming has always been my passion, and I know it will help me immediately by providing food for my family. Furthermore, I can sell some of the produce to generate income, which will allow me to pay for my children's school fees. This plan not only ensures we have enough food at home but also supports my children's education. I truly believe that focusing on farming will create a better future for us all.

GiveDirectly has done an excellent job in how they communicate with us. When they come to talk to us, they advise us accurately and treat us with respect and care. Most importantly, they educate us on how to use the money wisely. They promised us financial support, and they delivered it officially. I have not noticed anything bad about GiveDirectly; everything has been positive. I truly appreciate their efforts and the good work they are doing for our community.

Life took a turn for the better when I received the unconditional cash transfer, and I knew exactly how to spend it. Having sold all our livestock to pay for my children’s school fees, I was eager to invest in our future. I used $300 to purchase six sheep, which would not only provide us with food but also serve as an emergency resource. To my joy, two of the sheep have already given birth, and I am excited about the possibility of expanding our flock further. This investment has brought me a sense of security, knowing we have something to rely on in tough times.Furthermore, I spent $100 on food, as my husband and I had been depending on casual jobs like burning charcoal and working on other people's farms to make ends meet. With eight children to care for, this was a constant struggle. The income from our casual work was often insufficient to cover our daily needs, leaving us worried about how to provide. Now, with the cash transfer, I can focus on ensuring my family has enough to eat without the stress of searching for casual jobs every day. Finally, I allocated $50 to buy clothes, including school uniforms for my children. We had some clothes, but they were not suitable for special occasions or school. Being able to provide my children with proper clothing has lifted my spirits and made me feel proud as a parent. Life has become easier since receiving this money, allowing me to stay home and manage household chores instead of constantly looking for work. I am incredibly grateful for this support, as it has significantly improved our quality of life.

On that fruitful day when I received my transfer, it was around 3 p.m. I had just come back from my farm, where I was guarding my crops from roaming livestock since our farm is not fenced. While I was relaxing with my children and mother-in-law, I heard a notification sound. When I checked, I saw that I had received $200 from GiveDirectly. I immediately prayed to thank God. Excited, I shared the news with my mother-in-law and waited patiently for my husband, who had gone to herd our livestock. When he returned that evening, I told him about the transfer, and he was equally excited. The first thought that crossed my mind was to buy food. We had no food that day, and honestly, I didn't know what I would have done without GiveDirectly's cash transfer. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for your timely support in our time of need.

The biggest life difference I've experienced after receiving GiveDirectly's cash transfers is mostly on food. Having food was no longer a challenge for us. For the past ten years, my husband and I have fully relied on casual jobs to put food on the table. However, with the first transfers, we were able to take a break from casual jobs for about a month. This was the first time we could rest without worrying about where our next meal would come from. During this period, I stayed home and focused on household chores while my husband looked after our livestock. Although we eventually returned to casual jobs, the transfers we are awaiting gives us hope. We plan to invest in income-generating activities and move away from relying solely on casual work. The cash transfers have provided us with a sight of hope and a better life. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

My husband and I rely on casual jobs to sustain our family, although we sometimes engage in small-scale farming. However, farming is seasonal and unreliable. Additionally, securing casual jobs is not guaranteed, and there are times when we don't find any work, making it a nightmare to meet our daily basic needs, such as food. As a result, we would sometimes skip meals due to a lack of food. When I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, my priority was to buy food. I purchased a bag of maize for $33 and spent an additional $50 on other food items to sustain us for a while. Furthermore, I bought a mattress for $47 for my husband and me, as our old mattress was so uncomfortable that it felt like we were lying on a board, causing back pain. We gave the old mattress to our children, supporting it with the one they already had. Our two children in junior secondary school needed game kits, which the school had requested since the beginning of the year, but I didn't have the money. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to buy each of them a kit for $14. Finally, I purchased clothes for all of us, except for the two children for whom I bought game kits. The last time we bought new clothes was a year ago, so you can imagine the condition of the ones we had been wearing. I used the remaining funds for transportation. Thank you, GiveDirectly.