"I would really love to set up a mini mart business in Ganze Centre. This would improve my finances greatly and thus allow me in future to be able to build a bigger house for me and the kids. I would sell flour, soda, cereals and dry food, and actively use that money towards ensuring my kids complete their education ."

"Before GiveDirectly transformed my life, I had lived for over 18 years without a roof over my head. It's hard to express how much it pained me to know that what most people treat as a normalcy, to us was indeed a miracle. GiveDirectly excels at fulfilling dreams and all I would ask is they continue to walk with us financially and allow us to complete many more projects."

"My medical expenses were the first on my list of things to do. I've had a growth for the past three years, which has warranted a clinic visit once every month. If GiveDirectly had not stepped in, I would have been unable to buy the pain killers I desperately need to survive. I added 2 female goats and one male. Slowly making sure that I get assets that can grow our worth as a family. With a sizable amount,I boosted my hotel, located in Mariani Centre, by purchasing flour. I cook chapati,beans, ugali amongst many other local delicacies. Sadly, the past 4 months have seen me not go to the hotels since doctors advise against it. My son has been doing casual jobs on construction sites and brings home $12 per day. Imagine the burden of trying to cover $180 per term for the 4th born in Palakumi Secondary, $10 per term at Mariani Primary, for your kids, on only the $12 your son is bringing in per day. GiveDirectly came in when we needed them most, since the other 3 elder kids have all had to drop out at Form 1, over lack of finances. We will forever be in awe of GiveDirectly and what they have done for my family."

"I am grateful to GiveDirectly for providing us with an equal amount of transfers and the freedom to spend it as we saw fit in our households. Unlike material goods, monetary assistance allowed us to make informed spending decisions that had a direct impact on our daily lives. I have nothing to complain about after the entire process because GiveDirectly kept all of its promises."

"Both transfers have been a great transformation in my household. I had planned a lot that I needed to do and I am glad that I finally accomplished it before exhausting both transfers. Even though paying school fees for my five children is a pressing and recurring bill, I have faith that the two cows I bought will multiply and I can sell them later on to pay school fees."

"Being the eldest child in my family, I have been responsible for taking care of my younger siblings. Seeing them through their education and providing for their basic needs as well as for my elderly parents. I have been doing menial jobs to at least be able to put food on the table. One of my younger siblings, the only one schooling had been sent home for fee balance. On receiving the second transfer, I was able to take him back to school by paying the $360 debt. My house needed some minor repairs, thus I bought some iron sheets for $150 to facilitate that. With the remaining $20 I bought new furniture for my house since the ones we had were in a bad state."

"I think GiveDirectly came to save our lives and help us come out of poverty. By giving unconditional transfers, one can choose what to do as per their most pressing needs. The whole village is glowing, and at peace having met their household needs."

"By GiveDirectly giving us monetary assistance that was a well-thought-out plan that met the needs of each recipient. Choosing what to spend my money on taught me responsibility and the ability to account for every coin whenever I received a call follow-up call. I am grateful and hopeful that with your continued assistance, our standard of living will continue to rise. I appreciate the generosity extended to us."

"Just before receiving the second transfer, all my five children had been sent home due to school fees arrears which had accumulated to huge amounts. Seeing them at home while their mates were at school was stressful to me as a parent. I had tried all means possible to get money to take them back to school, but it was all in vain. Immediately after I received the second transfer, I went to their respective schools and cleared the debts. I spent $400 for two who are in secondary school and $70 for three in primary school. With the remaining $80, I purchased foodstuff for the household since we had nothing left in the house to feed on."

"fees 3k, building 30k, 2 mbuzi 7k, clothes 4k, food 3k have 5 kids, bed 6k, am farmer separated with hubby"