"The money we received from Givedirectly makes me to become a home owner.This organisation is empathetic, unique, committed in their work.I also appreciate all their field officers who are always on the bad road every other day without any complain just to reach the recipients."

"As a mother, I believe that everything I do will either lead to success of my family or it's downfall. My husband has no job to do and all he does is just move up and down in search of a good job to at least get something that can sustain us. I would want to start my business where I will be selling packed sugar to the locals living in my village. I really thought of what to do with the little that I have because it's better to do something than to do nothing at all. I have really been planning for everything and I did not just think of the idea but I also have saved like $9 that can at least help in starting my business. The business needs like $30 to start and I believe that I will make huge profits from my sales immediately when I start it, and it will help in paying my children fees and they can complete their primary and high school without a lot of challenges."

"I was unable to join college because of financial constraints but I always had a dream of starting my shop where I will be selling branded, designer clothes and also uniforms for school going children.I am filled with excitement and gratitude for the opportunity I got from GiveDirectly of receiving monthly transfers. I know and believe that this dream would be possible with the support I have received from GiveDirectly, and I'm grateful for the help that has allowed me to build my business to the point where I can expand and grow. I have gone the extra mile of calculating the amount I need to live my dream and it amount to $200 and as at now I have managed to save $9 and I believe with the little effort I make towards success, I will reach my target and all goals in my life."

"It is the joy of each parent for their children to prosper in life. However, life has its share of challenges that somewhat hinders this dream. Despite my daughter completing her grade 12 examination two years ago, she still has not collected her certificate because of school fees arrears of $370. I have not been able to clear this debt because the profits I earn from my grocery business all cater for food for my family of 6 while my husband's watchman job caters partly for school fees. I am delighted that the transfers I received last settled the school fees debt for the children and I had an addition to add more stock for my grocery business. As of now, I am settled in my mind since my daughter can progress to employment and I can as well earn more profits from the business, therefore, be financially stable."

"When my water meter was disconnected in January 2023, I had to purchase water from the neighbourhood at $0.1 for a 20-litre jerrican. This was expensive for my family of 4, which depends on my husband's bodaboda business to earn a living. Unfortunately, the cost of living increased and the fuel prices were also affected therefore, the business generates only $4 on a good day. All this caters for household use hence no surplus for water reconnection. I am excited that the transfers came at the right time as I used $50 to reconnect the water, $70 towards food and clothing for the household and an additional $15 to clear school fees for my children in primary school. As an alternative source of income, I enrolled on a tailoring course at Matano Maiine centre which I usually pay $15 a month using the transfers I set aside. Once I graduate, I will gladly assist my husband financially in raising the family."

"Now that I have been able to send my son to school,  I would want to start a business which will support him till he graduates.  I have been thinking of selling vegetables, fruits, and fish, which is a bit lucrative compared to the rest. This is an assurance that I will not struggle to pay for, or rather meet, the basic needs of my seven children, considering that I am their only surviving parent."

"spent part of my recent transfer on buying thirty bags of cement, which cost around $195. I prioritized all these with aim of building a new spacious permanent house.      I have been yearning to put one up for so long, but I couldn't afford to gather all the necessary materials. The previous one was almost collapsing and too small to accommodate my five family members. During the rainy season, it was muddy all over, which was so annoying; also, the cold nights used to affect my children's health to the extent that they could miss classes. Therefore, I felt there was a need for good habitat for my family.   I am so happy this has finally been achieved, and I am so grateful to GiveDirectly. Also, I am currently pursuing a tailoring course, and I had to clear the arrears of $50.  I am so thankful for this huge financial support because I am certain that I wouldn't have graduated. In addition, I paid tuition fees for my two children, who are in grades 2 and 1, respectively. They have been on and off from school, which has frustrated me the most as their parent. Their senior teacher had even mentioned that if I failed to clear the arrears, he would not hesitate to discontinue their studies.  I spent the remaining amount to buy food for the family, which sustained us for a while. This has enabled my children to be strong and energetic unlike before whereby they could sometimes miss school because of hunger."

"I am not happy that my house is broken in one of the rooms. Besides, it lacks a door, which makes most of the nights feel unsafe for my family. I would be happy if I restored the damaged mud walls and install a door by the end of the year. Though hunger is still an issue in my house, I have decided to save most of my monthly transfers to aid the renovation exercise. Am afraid that if I only focus on buying food, I would never achieve anything more, hence the need to save. "

"Given the current tough economy, where commodity prices are rising by the day, my income as a motorbike-taxi operator barely secures enough meals for my family. Besides, there are no longer many passengers in my village as people prefer to trek rather than use a motorbike service. This has made me think about raising livestock as an alternative form of investment and source of income. I plan to secure more goats to increase my herd of ten, then later trade some for cattle. "

"I have always wanted to own a kiosk business where I sell vegetables and fast-moving goods to the people in my community. However, my major hindrance is the lack of necessary funds to establish this venture. The money I earn from charcoal making and the monthly cash transfers are usually consumed by food and education needs, such that am left with nothing to save. Operating this business will increase my income which will support the education of my three children. Besides, bringing this shop to my locality will avail commodities and save my community members the time and energy of walking for hours to the trade center. "