"GiveDirectly's support has been very helpful to me and the people of my village. What stood out for me the most is the humility of their officers. When they came, I was sick in bed and unable to walk, but their humility was unmatched. They were able to enroll me despite my challenges, and for that, I am very grateful. I am a fan of what GiveDirectly is currently doing, and I wish for them to continue in the same way. I do not recommend any changes, but I hope they stick to their current plan."

"I am a widow with seven children, two still in college. We rely heavily on my firstborn son, Noah, for provision. Recently, I received $550 from GiveDirectly, which I used to support my family and create a more stable future. The first thing I did was pay $200 for my children's college fees. Education is a top priority, and ensuring they continue their studies is crucial. After that, I started a charcoal-selling business, using another $200. I buy charcoal from those who burn it and then sell it in bulk. This business not only provides income but also gives me a sense of purpose and independence. To safeguard our home, I invested $80 in a metal grill to replace the wooden doors that termites had damaged. This purchase was important to prevent further damage and secure our home. Additionally, I bought a sack of maize for $40 to ensure my family and nine grandchildren had enough to eat. This purchase was necessary to keep everyone nourished and healthy. Finally, I set aside the remaining $30 as savings for emergencies. Having a small emergency fund gives me peace of mind, knowing we have a safety net in case of unexpected expenses. The support from GiveDirectly has allowed me to make these essential investments and secure a better future for my family."

"I currently have two children enrolled in high school, and one is about to join college. As a parent, I have always hoped to witness their academic success. It hasn't been easy for my husband and me to pay their fees on time, and at times, this forced them to stay at home for some weeks as we gathered finances to cover their fees. However, when I received my first transfer, I cleared the fee arrears, totaling $180. I'm happy as a parent to see my children attending school without any interruptions due to fees. I believe that they will be able to achieve their goals and succeed in their academic journey. In addition to the fees, I am also in the process of renovating my kitchen, which was damaged by the recent rains. The roof was dilapidated, and the iron sheets had become old and worn out, on the verge of collapsing. I spent $150 on purchasing 8 pieces of iron sheets, building poles, and nails to renovate my kitchen. This will eventually ensure that I have a good place to cook and store my items. Finally, I spent the remaining amount on buying food items to ensure that my household had enough to eat. I have been relying on subsistence farming, but lately, it has not been doing well due to unfavorable weather conditions. I am glad that despite this challenge, my family now has enough food that can last us for a month's time."

"Due to my health issues and advanced age, securing basic needs like a good home has been a significant challenge. However, I am currently making progress, which gives me hope. My next goal is to build a better house for myself and my grandchildren, as the one we live in is very old and small, and I'm worried it might collapse at any moment. To achieve this, I have started saving each month through the Merry-Go-Round initiative using the transfers I receive. My goal is to construct a safer and more comfortable home. Once I succeed in building a new house, I will feel proud, happy, and relieved from the constant worry about security issues or harsh weather. This new home will not only provide a secure shelter but also bring peace of mind, knowing that my family and I are safe. "

"I recently joined a chama group to save a portion of my monthly $15 transfer with the goal of investing in livestock farming. I've always dreamed of owning cattle, but they are quite costly to acquire. My plan is to start by purchasing goats. As they multiply, I will sell their offspring to eventually buy a cow. I'm keen on investing in cows because they provide milk, which I can sell to support my family financially. With children in school, there might be unexpected financial challenges like paying fees, but if necessary, I can sell some of the livestock to address those needs."

"In the coming year and beyond, I want to build a more spacious house that can comfortably accommodate my family. Currently, we are living in a cramped, two-roomed house. One room serves as both a small storage area and a shop. Due to the lack of space, I had to move my children to my mother’s house. However, I am determined to provide them with their own comfortable sleeping space. Since I joined a merry-go-round group, I have been planning to use the money I receive to buy building materials and fulfill this dream. I am optimistic that saving my monthly transfers in the group will help me reach my goal more quickly. Once I complete the house, I plan to add more stock to my small shop to generate a better profit, allowing me to provide for my family with ease."

"My current house is old and bound to collapse at any time and this has been making me very sad. My wish has always been to provide my family with a better and safe house where they can sleep comfortably. To achieve this, I decided to use a portion of my monthly transfers to buy building materials, pay for labor to build a house, and ensure that the construction progresses without stalling. This way, there was some improvement in the building process every month. My hope is to have the house completed by September of this year. To reach this goal, my plan is to continue using my transfers from GiveDirectly to purchase the necessary materials, cover labor costs, and have the house completed so that we can finally move in. Once the house is complete, I intend to redirect the transfers that I was using for construction towards buying goats. I hope that these goats will multiply and increase in value, allowing me to trade some for cows in the future. These cows will serve as a form of savings, enabling me to sell them later to support my family and cover my children's education."

"I am currently in the process of building a new three roomed house for myself and my family, and I am excited about the progress I have made so far. At this point, my plan is to complete the house by finishing the plastering and flooring. I have purchased some building materials, but there is still a lot left to buy for the house's completion. To achieve this, I plan to use the transfers I will be receiving from GiveDirectly to buy stones and cement and pay for labor to finish the house and make it look beautiful. I am very grateful for this support because, without GiveDirectly, I believe I would still be living in my previous, unsuitable house."

"I want to be able to rely on a steady stream of money in the future, particularly once this program ends. So, my objective is to raise a sizable herd of goats as a livestock farmer. In order to do this, I intend to utilize the transfers I will get in the future from GiveDirectly to buy goats. My hope is that the goats will grow in both quantity and value over time, allowing me to sell some of them later on to meet urgent requirements as well as take care of my children's education. Having animals, in my opinion, is like having a bank account since you can sell them and take care of problems later on."

"Although I have a small portion of land to inherit from my parents, I long to have my own piece of land. I recently acquired a piece and started paying for it in smaller installments; I have a balance of $550 remaining. Once I complete the payment, I will be very happy to have something to call home. Currently, I reside on family land, but it's not a situation I feel entirely content with. I yearn for the independence and security that having my own piece of land would afford me. With this land, I envision building a house for my nuclear family, a place where we can thrive and grow together. It's more than just a structure; it's a symbol of stability and a foundation for our future. I am determined to work diligently towards this goal, saving every penny and exploring every opportunity to make it a reality. Having our own place would not only fulfill a personal dream but also provide a sense of belonging."