"We own an acre of land, which my husband and I use for crop farming. However, water has been a constant challenge due to frequent droughts, which limits our production. Currently, we rely on a generator to pump water, using furrows to channel it to the farm. This process is slow, tedious, and also expensive since the generator consumes a lot of oil. My plan is to invest in irrigation pipes, which will make irrigation easier and more efficient and also allow us to plant crops throughout all seasons. This will ultimately increase our income and help us better sustain our family."

"After receiving my second transfer, I finally had the chance to invest in my two-acre piece of land that had been lying bare since I inherited it from my parents. For years, I had been unable to cultivate it because I lacked the capital, and the land had become overgrown with prosopis trees. With $250 from the transfer, I hired labor to clear the prosopis trees, and I am now planning to start planting in the next rainy season. In addition, I own another acre of land that I have been cultivating. I used $100 to buy watermelon seeds, as I had already done the plowing and was only waiting for the funds to purchase the seeds and begin planting. I also spent $10 on fertilizer to ensure my crops get a good start. Moreover, my wife is expecting to have our baby this month, and to prepare for this, I prioritized ensuring we have enough food. Since maize is our staple food, I bought three bags for $30 each, knowing that once we have maize, it will be easier to get other food items to sustain us. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I want to buy a dairy cow, mainly so that I can keep it for milk and have enough to sell any extra. This way, I can make a bit of extra money. Right now, I have seven cows, but only four of them can actually be milked, and honestly, the amount of milk I get isn’t enough to meet my needs. To buy this new cow, I plan to use the money I’ll make from selling watermelons. I have a watermelon crop that should be ready for harvesting by December. Once I sell them, I hope to have enough to get the cow. That’s my plan for now, and I’m really hoping it all works out."

"I am a subsistence farmer, and my family relies heavily on crop farming for our survival. Unfortunately, this year the weather has been unfavorable, and I’ve been unable to work on the farm. This has created serious challenges for us, as we didn’t harvest anything, leaving us without food. Now, I’m forced to buy all our food from the shop, which is very expensive. Additionally, I have to purchase water due to the persistent drought in our village. To make sure my family had enough to eat, I spent $88 on food and water, and I’m grateful that we haven’t missed any meals, thanks to the financial support. In August, I spent $14 to plow my land in preparation for planting, but the rains never came, which was a huge disappointment. With my husband being too old to work, it’s now up to my son and me to take care of the family. The financial assistance has been a tremendous help in easing this burden and allowing us to meet our basic needs. I’m deeply thankful for the support I’ve been receiving from Give Directly, as it’s making a real difference in our lives during this difficult time."

"When the floods hit, they destroyed almost everything—our farms, our belongings, and even our houses. Fortunately, before all this, I had managed to buy a piece of land in a safer location. So, with the cash transfer I received, I demolished our old house, gathered up whatever usable materials I could salvage, and set out to build a new home on the new land.The new house I built has three rooms, which gives us more space than before, and I even managed to add an outside kitchen. This took up the entire $450 from the cash transfer, but it was worth every cent. We now have a solid roof over our heads, something I am genuinely grateful for. The whole family feels a sense of relief, knowing we no longer have to worry about the floodwaters rising around us. Now that we’re settled into our new home, I feel a sense of peace. Moving to this location has lifted a huge weight off my shoulders, and I’m just happy to see my family safe and secure."

"First, I used $200 to pay off my daughter’s school fees for Form 2. Clearing the arrears has brought me so much relief, as I no longer have to worry about her missing classes due to unpaid fees. Next, I used $100 to buy household food items. We were running low on food, and with the schools closing soon, we needed to ensure we had enough supplies to feed everyone. The crops we had planted were destroyed by recent floods, so this money came at the perfect time to help us restock. Having enough food at home means a lot, especially when we can’t rely on our usual harvest. I spent $35 to plough an acre of land, then $20 to prepare ridges to control water flow during irrigation. I also used $44 to pay for labor to help with planting tomatoes. Lastly, I bought tomato seeds, which are now in the soil, hopefully growing into a successful crop. This investment in farming will help us generate income, and I hope that with a good harvest, I can continue to improve our living conditions."

"I want to buy half an acre of land elsewhere, somewhere it doesn’t flood. Where I stay currently is prone to floods whenever it rains, and I need a place that’s more secure. The constant worry isn’t something I want to live with forever. To achieve this, I’ll keep going with maize farming. It’s steady, but I also plan to try watermelon farming this time. They fetch a good price, and if things go well, I should make a decent amount from both crops. The plan is to sell the melons and maize, then use that money to buy the piece of land. I know it won’t be easy, but I’m determined. It’s time to move to a place where rain doesn’t bring fear with it."

"With the current drought and hunger affecting our region, I plan to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water to keep my family from going hungry until this dry spell is over. Water has become very scarce, and we have to pay motorcycle transporters to travel long distances to bring us water, which is quite costly. Once the rains return and we have enough water and food from our farms, my focus will then shift toward investing in goats, as well as more ducks and chicken. I hope that these animals will multiply over time, increasing both in number and value. These will be a valuable asset and will provide me with a reliable resource to support my family, especially once this program ends."

"The impact of the cash transfer on my life has been significant, allowing me to make essential improvements to my home and provide for my family. I invested $280 to purchase cement to upgrade my house, as the previous mud floor became unmanageable during flooding. Last time, the water took too long to drain, leaving our home cold and uncomfortable. By replacing the mud floor with cement, I created a more durable and safer living space for my family. Furthermore, I had previously bought a plot of land in a higher area to protect against floods but had not completed the payment. With this cash, I was able to clear the remaining $70 of that bill.With my family's needs in mind, I also set aside $100 for my wife to buy food and clothes for our children. It had been a long time since we could afford to purchase new clothes, and I didn’t want them to feel embarrassed or less fortunate. The joy on their faces when they received the clothes was priceless, and it made me feel proud to provide for them. We’ve always supported each other through farming vegetables and burning charcoal, but the extra money has truly changed our lives.This cash transfer has not only improved our living conditions but also brought hope and stability to our family. My wife and I now feel more empowered to focus on our farming efforts without the constant worry of survival. Life has improved significantly, and I am grateful for the opportunity to invest in our future. With this support, I am confident that we can continue to build a better life for our five children and ourselves."

"I have no option other than to relocate because where I live is prone to flooding. My plan is to buy a piece of land away from the floods so that I can have a safe place to live and work. Once I have my new land, I will open a business there to support myself and my family. This change will allow me to continue with my life without the constant worry of losing everything to water. I believe that having a stable location will help me focus on building a better future. In the coming years, I want to create a secure environment for my children and ensure they have the opportunities they deserve."