My main ambition revolves around kick starting my crop farming venture, with a particular focus on cultivating cashew nut trees. This choice is rooted in the promising market demand for cashew nuts within our region and the favorable climate that naturally complements their cultivation. With the prospect of financial stability and growth, I am eager to embark on this journey, transforming a simple plot of land into a thriving orchard that not only secures my future but also contributes to the local economy.

Receiving financial assistance from GiveDirectly has profoundly changed my perspective on this organization. I am genuinely grateful for its unwavering dedication to ensuring fairness among beneficiaries. Its approach of granting every individual an equal opportunity, regardless of their past or present circumstances, is not only praiseworthy but also a potent weapon against bias and disparity. The aid it delivers suffuses every corner of the community, enabling each of us to strive for a better life on equitable terms.

I was overjoyed when I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly. With $475 of the second transfer I received, I decided to invest in a brighter future for my family. I bought two cows, understanding that this investment could bring us some income. These cows would not only provide us with fresh milk for our consumption, promoting a healthier living but also become a source of income through their milk sales. After purchasing the cows, I still had some funds left, and I was determined to make every penny count. I used the remaining amount to buy essential food items and household supplies. This not only ensured that our immediate needs were met but also relieved a significant burden from our daily lives. The relief of having enough food and necessary items was immeasurable, allowing us to focus on improving our livelihoods without the constant worry of scarcity.

It was around 1 pm while I was on the farm clearing the bushes in preparation for the planting season when I receive a message on my phone. Due to curiosity since that was the week I was expecting to receive some money from GiveDirectly, I immediately confirmed what kind of a message it was. When I checked and confirmed that I had received $550. Even though the sender’s name did not appear as GiveDirectly, I was quite sure they are the ones who had sent the money from the sensitization that we were taken through. My heart cooled down in happiness and I was filled with peace knowing that, the hardships I had been going through were finally going to be addressed.

The biggest difference in my life is that I own and live in a nice iron sheet-roofed house like others in the village. I feel happy and more secure since I am no longer worried about my safety like before when my house was collapsing. Sleeping in a collapsing structure was unsafe for me. Since I had no alternative and my income from casual labor could not sustain me, I had to cross my fingers till morning. Currently, I am very happy because I have a better house compared to where I was initially. I also have access to food unlike before when I solely relied on charcoal–burning business which was unreliable due to the scarcity of trees.

I had been sleeping in a partially collapsed house for a while after termites destroyed the supporting poles. Since I had no choice but to take the risk, I did. There was no difference between living inside that house and being outside during the rainy season. Upon receiving the transfer, I decided to build a better and more secure two-room mud-walled house because I used to sleep in fear. Therefore, I spend $400 to purchase 14 iron sheets, roofing timbers, nails, building poles, and rafters plus the contractor’s labor fee. Currently, I am content because I now live in a safe house, thanks to GiveDirectly. I also spent $30 on plowing and weeding for my maize crops. I then used the money that was left over to maintain the family. I am delighted to see how well my maize crops are growing which is a positive sign of good harvest season. Using the remaining amount, I bought some food and other personal effects. I opted for this to ensure there is food security at home bearing in mind that we were going through a drought season