"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to use a significant portion of my transfers to purchase food for my family. Since both my husband and I cannot work, the financial support from the transfers will be crucial in ensuring we have enough to eat. The harsh climatic conditions in our village make it impossible to grow food crops, forcing us to buy food at high prices from the local shopping center. This has put a strain on our limited resources, but the transfers will help alleviate this burden and reduce the financial strain on our son, who tirelessly tries to take care of his elderly parents. I am very grateful for the financial support, which has been a lifeline for us, ensuring that we can access our daily needs and maintain a sense of dignity and well-being. The support has significantly improved our quality of life, and I am hopeful that, with the continued assistance, we can remain resilient in the face of these challenging circumstances."

"In April, I found myself in a tight spot and had to borrow $100 from a close friend to pay my son’s school fees. He’s in Form 1, and I did not want him to be sent home for missing fees, as education is so important. The borrowed money helped, but I knew I had to repay her soon to avoid straining our friendship. So, when I received the cash transfer, I knew the first thing I had to do was pay her back, which I did, and in full. Next, I set aside $50 to cover my son’s school fees for this term. I did not want to take any chances of him missing classes and ensuring he stays in school gives me peace of mind. The remaining money went into my small restaurant business, which helps support our family. With $23, I bought a bale of baking flour, and for $8, I got cooking fat. These supplies ensure I can meet the demands of my regular customers and keep my business running smoothly. I feel relieved knowing my son is in school and my restaurant is stocked, allowing me to continue providing for my family."

"My house was carried away by the strong and fierce winds that struck our village, leaving me and my family homeless. In response to this, I constructed a small one-room structure where my husband, children, and I now sleep. For this coming year, I plan to build a two-room house where I and my family will live and have the space that we desire. To achieve this, I intend to use a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to gradually buy building materials and eventually construct a larger house where my family can sleep comfortably. Currently, I have seven iron sheets, and I intend to purchase more sheets and other necessary materials as I can. This new home will provide us with peace of mind and privacy as my children grow. Once the house is complete, I plan to invest in more goats and chickens, hoping they will multiply. In the future, I aim to sell some of them and use the proceeds to support my family’s general welfare, including food, health care, and education. I am truly grateful for the opportunity that GiveDirectly has provided us."

"The financial support that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly has been constructive in my life, particularly when it comes to taking care of my family's well-being and educational needs. I have seven children in school, and their education is my top priority as it is the key to a better life in the future. My goal for this coming year and beyond is to ensure my children remain in school and continue their studies to completion. To provide my children with a pathway to a better future, I plan to use a portion of the transfers from GiveDirectly along with my earnings from my hustles to fund their education. As the breadwinner of our family, I don't have a stable job that provides a substantial income. Instead, I rely on making and selling charcoal, which yields very little. However, I'm grateful that the small earnings I do make help support my family. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have been helping me a lot to take care of my family because the earnings from the charcoal business alone are not enough."

"I used to work in a food-selling kiosk, and the experience I gained there enabled me to start my own kiosk using transfers I received from GiveDirectly. I was drawn to running a food business because I saw how profitable it could be. Currently, I earn a daily profit of around $15, and I’m genuinely happy with this venture. My goal is to expand my business, and I plan to use a portion of the transfers along with some of my profits for this purpose. Watching my business grow to the point where it can fully support itself and my family is my greatest desire, as I have always longed for financial stability. My children and I still live with my mother, and I have always dreamed of having our own home. To make this dream a reality, I've been saving part of my transfers and some of my business profits in our local savings group. Once the funds mature, I intend to combine them with the building materials I have already purchased to start constructing our house. This home will provide me and my children with a sense of belonging. I am truly grateful for the transfers, as they have allowed me to establish a business and will ultimately help me provide a home for my children."

"GiveDirectly excels at delivering unconditional cash transfers efficiently. Their follow-up after the transfers is thorough, ensuring recipients use it wisely. Sending the money in installments is particularly helpful, as it allows for better planning. You know the amount to expect and can prepare for it in advance. In my opinion, GiveDirectly’s approach works very well. I see no areas for improvement and would recommend they continue with this same method as they assist more people."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude. I felt so relieved because I had many challenges in my life. I allocated $100 to pay part of the school fees balance for one of my children. While I couldn't pay the entire amount, I was happy that this would keep my child in school for now. Next, I used $30 to buy food. The money came just when my family had nothing to eat. We had been surviving on one meal a day, but now we can eat three times a day. This has brought so much relief, and my relationship with my family has greatly improved. I no longer feel the pressure of trying to find food every day, and my mental health has gotten better, especially when I see my kids happy and full of energy. I also used $30 to buy new clothes for my seven children. I wanted them to feel supported, and seeing them smile in their new clothes made me very happy. Now, as a family, we are all much happier. The remaining money was used to buy medicine for my goats, and they have improved in health. They are now competitive in the market, which is a big boost for us. This support has made a big difference in our lives, and we are truly grateful."

"When I got the cash transfer, it felt like a blessing. The first thing I thought about was my children's education. I used $100 to pay their school fees because I didn’t want them to miss out on school. My husband and I are casual laborers, but life has been hard since he got sick with tuberculosis. He can no longer do heavy work, so I’ve had to take on most of the work. Keeping my children in school was important because I know education is the way to a better life. After paying the fees, I used $75 to buy food for the family. We have 12 people in the house, including my two grandchildren, and we were really struggling. Before the cash transfer, we were often hungry and only eating one meal a day. But now, thanks to the help from GiveDirectly, we can eat three times a day.With the last $5, I bought clothes for my grandchildren. It hurt me to see them in torn clothes, but we didn’t have enough money to buy new ones before. Now, they look neat and comfortable, and seeing them happy makes me happy too. The cash transfer has changed our lives in so many ways, and I am truly grateful."

"Moving forward, my primary goal is to keep my children in school and ensure they continue learning without any obstacles. To achieve this, I plan to use part of my future transfers to cover their school fees. Additionally, I want to continue expanding my business by investing in more stock, which will help increase my income. I have also joined a savings group, where I contribute a portion of my earnings every month. Through this group, I hope to build up enough savings to qualify for a loan, which I can then use to further grow my business. I am truly appreciative of the financial support that has empowered me to pursue these goals and create a brighter future for my family."

"Without a stable source of income, it’s been a constant struggle for my husband and me to provide for our family. This situation has motivated me to start a small grocery business, which I believe will offer a more reliable source of income and help us meet our family’s needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from each transfer until I have enough capital to launch the business. Once I start, I hope to attract a steady stream of customers and generate a sustainable income. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which has empowered me to work toward a brighter future for my family."