I was at a burial in a nearby village when my phone buzzed with a message notification. At first, I didn't pay it much attention since I was caught up in the event, but a few minutes later, I heard murmurs around me. People were talking excitedly, saying they had received their GiveDirectly transfers. That’s when I quickly checked my phone, and sure enough, there it was—the message from GiveDirectly! I couldn't contain my happiness at that moment. My mind instantly flashed to my children, and I knew I could finally pay their school fees. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

When the floods came, they completely wiped out 1.5 acres of maize and an entire acre of tomatoes that I had been counting on to sell for school fees and food security at home. It was a devastating blow, and I honestly didn't know how I was going to recover. I had also accumulated so much debt, not knowing where the money would come from to pay it off. But thanks to the unconditional cash I received from GiveDirectly, I was able to cover food costs and pay the school fees for my children. Most importantly, I’ve managed to clear all my debts, and now, for the first time in a long while, I don’t owe anyone anything. It’s a huge relief, and it truly makes my soul rejoice, and feels great to have this weight lifted off me.

When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I had so many things on my mind. First, I used $40 to pay off some debt I owed for food. You see, being a farmer, we were hit hard by floods, and accessing food was tough, so I had to rely on credit. Clearing that debt was a huge relief for me because now I can walk into the shop without feeling embarrassed. Then, I sent $50 to my son who's in university, to cover his house rent and his upkeep. It's important to me that his stay in school is smooth, without any financial worries. After that, I used $20 to buy household food items, making sure my family had enough to eat. I also bought some new clothes and a pair of shoes for $25. I needed to look presentable, especially when I stepped out of the house or met with people. The rest of the money, I spent on buying a sheep. I used to have a few sheep, but I had to sell them to cover my children's school fees. Now, with this sheep, I hope to rebuild my small livestock. When the sheep give birth, I plan to milk them and when they multiply, they will be my emergency plan. In time, they'll help with any urgent expenses, and I can slowly build a more stable future for my family.