Now that I have maize growing on our farm, my plan is to focus on agriculture. Once we harvest the maize and sell it, I intend to use the proceeds to rent additional hectares of farmland. By expanding our farming operations, I hope to achieve a larger harvest. With the increased income, I aim to construct an extra room to make our house more spacious, providing better accommodation for our children and us.

Thank you so much, GiveDirectly, for providing us with unconditional cash that allows us to make our own decisions based on our unique needs. I appreciate how you conduct your work and encourage you to continue this approach as you enrolled other villages.

As a mother of two, my husband and I rely on farming and occasional casual labor, such as working on other people's farms, to make ends meet. Neither of us is employed in a regular job, making it extremely difficult to save enough money for a better house. The income we generate from our farming activities is simply not sufficient.Our previous home had mud walls and a roof made of iron sheets. Whenever it rained, the mud walls would crack, making our living conditions very challenging. When I received my last transfer of funds, I decided to use all of it to construct a new room with iron sheets for both the walls and the roof. This was a significant improvement for us, as our previous home was in poor condition.Life was very difficult before we received this cash transfer, but everything changed once we got the support. With the financial assistance, we not only built a good house, but we also gained the capital needed from our second transfer to invest more effectively in our farming activities. We are grateful to GiveDirectly for transforming our lives and providing us with the means to build a better future.

Amidst the current economic situation, I have ambitious plans for both the farm and the construction of a new house. These two endeavors are interconnected, as the proceeds from the farm will fund the purchase of construction materials. My plan is to commence construction in early January, leveraging the harvest of maize. Depending on the quality and quantity of the produce, I will determine the size of the house I can afford to build for my family of four. This strategic approach aligns my agricultural and housing goals, ensuring that the success of one venture contributes to the realization of the other, fostering the overall well-being of my family.

GiveDirectly is doing an excellent job, and we all appreciate it. People are taking responsibility and spending the money wisely. The support arrived at a crucial moment, during a drought season, addressing our immediate needs without the burden of repayment. The smooth enrollment process with fairness to everyone who got a chance to enroll sets GiveDirectly apart from other aid organizations. I am grateful to GiveDirectly and hope the same positive experience will be replicated in other new locations yet to be visited.

Upon receiving the second transfer, I strategically invested in various areas to improve our livelihood. Allocating $100, I purchased two goats with the intention of breeding them and multiplying their offspring for future sales, recognizing the potential for a lucrative venture. Additionally, I utilized $100 to till an acre of land, covering labor charges for tilling and fencing to protect it from animal invasion. To enhance our food security, I invested $50 in maize seeds, which have already been planted, anticipating a better harvest in January. Another $50 was allocated for the purchase of a sack of maize, currently sustaining my family of four. Leasing an additional piece of land for $50, I plan to expand my maize cultivation, taking advantage of the ongoing rainfall. Prioritizing the well-being of my family, I spent $50 on clothing for all members and the remaining $50 on various household goods. Having relied on subsistence farming and occasional labor, the support from GiveDirectly has provided a significant boost to our overall livelihood.

It was around 3 PM when I was on my way home from a posho mill in the neighboring village when I heard my phone vibrating loudly. Upon checking the message, I was so happy and felt thankful to learn that it was from GiveDirectly. I felt an overwhelming rush of joy, knowing that the unconditional cash transfer had arrived. In that moment, I knew that my dream of preparing my farm earlier and ensuring a bountiful harvest was no longer a distant wish but a tangible reality. Gratitude and hope filled my heart as I envisioned a brighter future for myself and my family.

The most significant transformation in my life since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been the realization of a long-cherished dream: starting an agribusiness focused on cultivating pumpkins. For the longest time, this ambition remained out of reach due to my inability to afford the necessary resources to kickstart such a venture. Now, with the support from GiveDirectly, I firmly believe that this project will bring a positive change to my household. Pumpkins are in high demand, and their marketability is promising. For years, my spouse has struggled alone to provide for our two children due to my joblessness, and it's a relief to be able to contribute to our family's well-being. I am filled with optimism that in the months to come, my life will be utterly transformed, not only economically but also in terms of the support and stability I can offer to my loved ones. This newfound sense of purpose and the potential for a brighter future have breathed fresh hope into our family.

I made a strategic decision with my recent unconditional cash transfer, using the entire sum of $200 to invest in my one-acre farm. With this, I purchased fertilizer and seedlings and hired the necessary help to prepare the land. My plan was to cultivate pumpkins, not just for personal consumption but for commercial purposes. In our village, the demand for pumpkins is consistently high, and this presented a golden opportunity for me to generate income. As I toiled in the fields, I was motivated by the prospect of becoming self-reliant. Unemployment had left me dependent on my spouse for our family's basic needs, but now I could see a path to financial independence. I knew that in a few months, these pumpkins would yield a bountiful harvest, and I'd be able to sell them in the local market. This income would not only help sustain our daily needs but also lay the foundation for my children's education. With my newfound sense of purpose and determination, I was confident that by the time my two children were ready to join school, I would have saved enough money to ensure they received a quality education. This unconditional cash transfer had not only eased our immediate financial burden but had also sown the seeds of a brighter, more self-sufficient future for my family.