"We initially struggled with capital and faced the risk of losing the money we had spent on renting land for maize. After the floods, our plan to plant maize was stalled, and we feared wasting our investment. However, with the transfer, I used the funds to cultivate the land by planting watermelon instead. This choice proved to be a turning point. The watermelon cultivation, which I managed with a $50 investment in seeds, is thriving. I expect to harvest in less than two months and potentially earn about $1,000 if all goes well.The transfer allowed us to turn a challenging situation into an opportunity for growth."

"I had planned to use the proceeds from selling my maize to buy a plot, but unfortunately, I lost all of it due to the floods. However, with the GiveDirectly transfer, I am now hopeful. I plan to use my next transfer to purchase a plot and finally move to a safer area. Right now, the water is dangerously close to my house, just a few meters away, and every time it rains, I worry I’ll be affected again. But with this opportunity, I can make a lasting change and protect my family from the constant threat of flooding."

"Since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life has been the ability to consistently have enough food. Previously, after returning from the camp following the floods, I was surviving on just one meal a day. Now, I can enjoy three meals a day, which has made a significant difference in my well-being. Another major impact has been my ability to start recovering from the damage caused by the floods. With stagnant water surrounding my damaged house, I was at a high risk for diseases like malaria. The GiveDirectly transfers have allowed me to buy construction materials to begin building a new house. I am hopeful that this new home will be completed soon and will be located away from the stagnant water, offering me a safer and healthier living environment."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I did was purchase two sheep for $136. Sheep are calm creatures and well-suited for my small farm. We were running low on food, so I used $35 to buy a bag of maize. Maize is versatile; we can grind it into flour or cook it whole, which has sustained us for a month and a half. Knowing that I needed to prepare for the next planting season, I spent $13 to plow 0.4 acres of land and set ridges on it, planting vegetables and beans that would soon provide us with fresh produce. Watering the crops was essential, so I allocated $10 for generator fuel to pump water from the river to my farm. This ensured that my crops would thrive even in dry conditions. Finally, with the remaining money, I bought clothes for my children. They had been going without proper clothing because most of the money I earned from casual jobs went to buying food. This cash transfer has not only met our immediate needs but also given us hope for a more stable future."

"I was at my neighbor's house for a fundraising day to support their child going to school when, around 3 pm, I overheard some villagers excitedly talking about receiving money from GiveDirectly. I couldn’t check mine immediately because I had left my phone at home charging. But when I finally got back and switched it on, there it was—the money had arrived! I was overwhelmed with happiness, and when my husband came home that evening, I shared the good news with him. We knew right then that our plans to buy watermelon seeds would finally come to pass."

"The first thing I did was buy a new mattress for $74. My husband and I got married in January, but our bed was very old and the mattress was very uncomfortable. I used to wish I could go back home to pick up my own mattress because it was so much better. Now, we can finally sleep comfortably and wake up without any aches or pains. Next, I used $15 to buy two plastic chairs to add to the two we already had. This way, whenever we have visitors, we can ensure they have somewhere to sit, which is very important in our culture. I also bought a bag of maize for $35, to ensure that we have enough food to eat. With the remaining $10, I purchased pesticides and herbicides to protect my maize crops from deteriorating further after the floods. Our farm is our main source of livelihood, so keeping it well tendered is crucial. Finally, I used the rest of the money to buy clothes and essential food items for my family. The clothes were especially needed because the ones we had were ruined by recent floodwaters. This cash transfer has allowed me to take care of both immediate and long-term needs, helping to secure a better future for my family."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving transfers from GiveDirectly is my ability to shift from rain-fed to irrigation agriculture. With the money I received, I was able to buy pipes to pump water, something I couldn’t afford before. This has allowed me to cultivate my land more reliably, regardless of the weather. Another significant change is in my livestock. Before GiveDirectly, I had five sheep, but now I have seven. This growth is a great achievement for me, and these sheep will serve as an emergency resource. If a need arises, I can sell one to address it."

"As a young family, we decided to invest in crop farming to sustain our family of three. This year, with the rains beginning, we saw it as our chance to invest using savings from casual jobs and occasional charcoal production. We leased an additional half-acre of land and planted maize. Everything was going well, and we were motivated, until heavy rains caused flash floods that swept away all our maize. We had planned to use the proceeds to buy goats, which we had always wanted because they multiply quickly and their milk is highly nutritious. Owning goats would save us the cost of buying milk and allow us to sell them as their numbers increased, helping us with other needs. When we received our first transfer, we decided to fulfill this long-term wish by buying three goats for $50, $50, and $45, respectively. Additionally, during the floods, we were temporarily relocated to camps, and our clothes, which we had placed on the bed to keep them off the water, were completely soaked. Surviving with only one pair of clothes was challenging. We spent $45 on new clothes and used the remaining amount to buy food."

"I was at home, tending to my plants, when I heard a notification on my phone. Curious, I pulled it out to check, and there it was—the transfer from GiveDirectly. I was overjoyed! I quickly finished watering the farm, my mind already racing with the possibilities. When I got home and told my wife, she was so excited she could barely contain her happiness. We both knew that this was it—we could finally buy the sheep we had been wanting for so long."

"My house was partially destroyed by floods. Although some materials were salvageable, the house was in a poor state. Before receiving the transfers, we had lived in a temporary tent outside our compound for a month because we had no other option. Once I received the money, my priority was to secure better shelter for my family. I spent $40 on demolishing the damaged house and building a one-roomed, muddy-walled house where we now live. I’m grateful to GiveDirectly for this support. In addition to the house, I had lost all my maize crops to the floods at a farm; I was expecting more than 20 bags of maize. My farm was submerged, and water is still lying on it. With food being essential, obtaining it became almost a nightmare. My wife and I worked hard through charcoal production and casual jobs to meet the needs of our three children. I used part of the transfer to buy enough food, spending a total of $64 to ensure we had something to put on the table. Furthermore, most of our clothes were also destroyed in the floods, so I spent $60 to buy new clothes for everyone in my household. To ensure sustainability, I invested $13 in preparing and planting a kitchen garden with black nightshade. We have already started harvesting and selling from the garden, earning about $15 so far, which has helped with our daily needs."