In the coming years, I hope to build a sustainable source of income by starting a poultry business, as I see a promising, steady market for poultry products. Rearing chickens would provide us with eggs and meat to sell, giving my family a reliable income. Alongside this, I want to keep expanding our crop farming, which not only supports us with food but also offers a way to earn extra money during harvest times. I believe that with both poultry and crop farming, we can improve our standard of living and provide better opportunities for our children. This combination of farming and poultry would also help us become more resilient against tough seasons or unexpected losses. In the long run, I see this as a way to bring lasting stability and growth to our family.

The officers from GiveDirectly did a great job educating us on how to use the money wisely. They provided clear guidance, which helped me understand the best ways to spend the cash for my family's needs. I appreciated their support because I didn’t notice anything bad during the process. They were always available to answer our questions and made sure everyone was included. However, I think they could improve by offering more workshops on financial management, as it would help us make even better decisions in the future. Overall, I am grateful for their help and guidance.

Life had become challenging, especially after the floods destroyed our farm, which had always been our main source of income. With eight children to care for, we depended on farming to pay school fees, but the floods took away that option, leaving us with no alternatives. When GiveDirectly’s cash arrived, it felt like a lifeline; I immediately used $240 to cover my children’s fees. Knowing that they could stay in school brought me relief and hope for their future. Education is important to us, and we didn’t want our children’s studies to be interrupted, so having this support at the right moment felt like a true blessing.In addition, I set aside $50 for farming, hoping to rebuild by planting maize. Having a reliable source of food and potentially a small income from any surplus would help us recover from the loss. Farming has always been unpredictable, but I believe that restarting with this fresh crop will bring some stability back to our lives. Furthermore, I used $50 to buy a sheep, which I see as a small but meaningful investment for our family. Over time, it can provide us with milk and can even be sold if we face any urgent needs. With the remaining funds, I purchased curtains to make our home feel warmer and a few food items to carry us through. This money has allowed us to address both immediate and future needs, and it’s a comfort to know we have a start toward recovery. Farming is not easy, with its seasonal changes and risks, but this support has given us renewed strength to keep going. My husband and I are grateful, as we now feel better equipped to care for our children and keep our family moving forward.

I had gone to my son's prayer day who is about to sit for his final high school exam. I heard my phone sound with a message. I quickly checked it and confirmed that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed! Among the other parents from my village who were there, I asked if they had received theirs as well. Some confirmed they had, while others waited anxiously, but within a few minutes, they too received their transfers. We all rejoiced together and headed home with happy hearts. I knew this was the hope I had been waiting for, and I felt certain that things were going to turn around for me.

When floods hit our village, I lost 2 acres of maize that I had planned to use to finance my children’s education. However, my hope was restored when I received money from GiveDirectly. This money enabled me to settle part of the debt I owed the school. If not for GiveDirectly, I don’t know what I would have done. Thank you, GiveDirectly.

With the support from GiveDirectly's first transfer. I allocated $50 towards my son's school fees and $45 for my daughter's fees to reduce their arrears, which initially totaled about $500. Given that I had been depending on charcoal and crop farming for income, losing 2 acres of my 2.5-acre maize crop to floods was devastating. The remaining 0.5 acres are still being harvested, but I expect to get only about 3 bags of maize instead of the 80 bags I had hoped for, leaving me with a $300 loan. Additionally, I spent $64 on a bed and mattress for my children, as they had been sleeping on the floor, which was risky due to snakes. I used the remaining funds to buy food to sustain us for some time. Thank you, GiveDirectly.