"Looking ahead to the coming years and beyond, I plan to embark on a tomato farming project. Inspired by the success of my neighbors who have found prosperity through irrigation, I see an opportunity to thrive in our area, given the accessibility to water for irrigation on my land. The prospect of contributing to my family's well-being by selling tomatoes brings a sense of fulfillment and a commitment to supporting my husband in our shared responsibilities. Additionally, my family has a long-term plan to purchase a piece of land outside our current area. This decision is driven by my observations of cultural practices in this region, particularly the prevalence of female genital mutilation (FGM). This cultural tradition is something I strongly oppose, recognizing the serious health risks associated with it, and I am determined not to let my daughter go through it. Therefore, relocating to a faraway place from here provides a safer and more culturally aligned environment for my family's future."

"I plan to finalize the fencing around my mango farm and diligently manage the mango trees I've planted, which take three years to reach maturity. Mangoes thrive in our region, requiring irrigation only during their growing stage. Fortunately, they perform exceptionally well here, and the market for them is readily accessible—brokers even come directly to the farm to purchase our harvest. After reaching maturity, we can harvest the mangoes three times a year. Ideal for consistent production and sales. This endeavor will allow me to support my family of five and ensure our sustainable future. With the income generated from the mango farm, I look forward to providing a stable and prosperous life."

"Recognizing the role of education, I disbursed $200 to cover school expenses for my two high school-going children from the support I received from GiveDirectly. With the dire state of our living quarters, I invested $106.4 in purchasing building materials to repair our house. Our small, one-room home, previously covered with worn-out iron sheets, often failed to protect us from the rain. With six children, the space constraints were challenging. With visitors, the situation worsened, as they had to sleep outside. To tackle the persisting food shortage issue, I wisely allocated $98.6. As a farmer, nurturing our agricultural practice is paramount. I invested $30 in generator oil to facilitate irrigation and pesticides for our maize farm, recognizing the significance of safeguarding our crops for a fruitful harvest. Prioritizing health, I set aside $15 for medical expenses when my grandchild fell ill. Timely access to healthcare is crucial, and ensuring the well-being of our family members remains a top priority. Engaged in charcoal production and small-scale farming, I confront challenges in sourcing logs, making charcoal production difficult. Our small-scale farming activities face unreliability due to the seasonal nature of the river. Despite lacking a steady job, the financial assistance from GiveDirectly has proven invaluable. It has empowered me to address immediate needs while laying the foundation for a more secure and comfortable future."

"When I received my final transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, it brought significant relief. With this amount, I paid $400 fees for two of my boys at the high school level, allocating $200 for each. I used the remaining $50 to purchase food for my family. As a farmer, my life revolves around the rhythms of nature. This practice is a livelihood for us and a labor of love, supporting our family of six. However, the journey is not without its challenges. Our reliance on the river for irrigation means that during the dry seasons, when the riverbeds run dry, we face the risk of non-harvest, which can be disheartening. In addition to farming, we rear a few goats. Despite these efforts, the uncertainty of our harvests often left me wondering how I would gather sufficient funds for my children's education. It is where the support from GiveDirectly has been a turning point. Their assistance came at a crucial time, ensuring their education could continue uninterrupted. Without this support, the struggle to secure school fees would have been immense. This gesture of aid from GiveDirectly has helped me secure a future for my children. For this, my gratitude knows no bounds. The peace of mind that comes from knowing my children's education is secured is invaluable, and for that, I am eternally thankful to GiveDirectly."

"Recognizing the financial strain of consistently purchasing food for my family, especially during lean times when my charcoal business faces challenges, I've decided to proactively address this issue. To find a sustainable solution, I am planning to lease a quarter acre of land near the river and engage in farming through irrigation. The comprehensive farming plan includes cultivating maize, beans, green grains, and vegetables. By diversifying our crops, I aim to ensure a steady and varied supply of food for my family. The strategic location near the river allows for irrigation, mitigating the impact of erratic weather conditions and fostering a more reliable crop yield. Through this, I will provide sufficient food for daily consumption and also alleviate the financial burden associated with buying food regularly. The prospect of becoming more self-sufficient through farming brings a sense of hope and resilience to our household, promising a brighter and more secure future."

"In the coming years, my primary goal is to prioritize my children's education, ensuring the timely payment of their fees. This is essential to creating an environment where they can concentrate on their studies, a crucial step in securing our family's financial stability in the future. The plan involves leasing land near a river for easy irrigation access. I am committed to putting in the necessary effort to ensure timely farm activities and acquire the required inputs. I will be alternating between maize and beans farming, and I aim to sell the produce to cover educational expenses. The prospect of providing the best for my children brings a sense of purpose and determination."

"Receiving $450 from GiveDirectly marked a turning point in my life. With this significant amount, I allocated the funds to address various pressing needs. First, I spent $117.5 on food. Securing food has always been a challenge, as we rely on casual jobs and small-scale farming. We depend on rainfed agriculture since accessing water for irrigation is difficult due to the distance from a water source. We focus on short-season crops, as these are the only ones we can grow with certainty, provided we time them right. Living on the border has its own set of challenges. Our neighboring community once stole seven cows and thirty goats, a significant blow to our livelihood. My husband and I work together in farming to support our family of 11. We have nine children, three of whom have completed higher studies, while the rest are still in school. The payment of school fees has always felt like an unattainable dream. However, with the funds from GiveDirectly, I allocated $232.5 for this purpose. The relief and gratitude I felt are indescribable. I thank God for this incredible assistance. With the festive season, I also wanted to bring some joy to my family. Therefore, I spent $100 on clothes for the Christmas holiday. I extend my heartfelt thanks to GiveDirectly. Their support provided immediate and instilled a sense of hope and stability in our lives, for which we are grateful."

"Upon receiving my transfer from GiveDirectly, I embarked on a transformative journey for my farm. With an investment of $400, I fenced my land. I had never considered fencing before, been prioritizing my six children's education. The primary purpose of the fence was to safeguard my flourishing mango orchard. I have devoted substantial effort to cultivating these mangoes and plan to expand the orchard further. Farming has been a joint venture with my husband. We've faced challenges, notably a severe drought that severely affected our livestock, and heartbreaking losses to banditry, which claimed our cows and goats. These losses deeply impacted our farming livelihood. We practice crop production, relying on irrigation, as the river nearby is seasonal. This dependence has drawbacks, as there are years, sometimes stretching up to five when we don't reap any harvest. The uncertainty of crop production has been a constant challenge. With the remaining $50 from the transfer, I addressed our immediate concern – food scarcity. This decision ensured that while we strive for long-term sustainability through farming, our immediate needs, particularly nutrition, were not overlooked. Despite the challenges, we remain committed to our farming life, continuously adapting and striving for a better future for our family."

"I am immensely thankful for the support from GiveDirectly. With their assistance, I purchased three goats for $170, a token of remembrance and a long-term investment for my family. Additionally, I spent $15 on deworming the goats to ensure their health and productivity. Food security being a priority, I allocated $95 for buying maize. Crucial as my previous attempt at farming maize, alongside beans, yielded poor results. My family's sustenance largely relies on small-scale farming, which is challenging given our dependence on a seasonal river for irrigation. My husband and I also undertake casual jobs to support our family of seven. I am an Early Childhood Development teacher by profession, and my husband, a plant operator, facing employment challenges. The timing of the GiveDirectly transfer was perfect, coinciding with the Christmas holiday. I used $60 of the funds to buy clothes for my children, a festive gesture that brought them immense joy. Education remains a priority for us. Thus, I invested $10 in books for my three school-going children and paid $20 towards their fee arrears. I used $70 on constructing a toilet, a much-needed facility in our home, ending our dependence on neighbors’ amenities. which brought us great relief and happiness. The remaining $10 addressed transport costs. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to GiveDirectly for their invaluable support, which has s improved our living conditions and brought hope and stability to our lives."

"My focus is on cultivating maize and beans. Fortuitously, my father owns a three-quarter piece of land that lies fallow. With his permission, I plan to utilize this land for my agricultural endeavors. This opportunity is particularly timely, as I am navigating life as a single mother to three children after separation. My strategy involves harnessing irrigation farming, which promises a consistent and reliable yield regardless of seasonal changes. By doing so, I aim to produce enough food to sustain my family and generate a surplus. Selling this excess produce will provide a vital source of income. This agricultural venture is more than just a means of livelihood; it's a step towards my family's stability. It represents hope and resilience. As we embark on this journey, the land, once idle, will become a testament to our perseverance and determination to build a brighter future."