"While I was at home, having a relaxing moment with my three children, a message came through. Upon confirming, it was a receipt of $200 from GiveDirectly. My heart soared with joy. Later that day, my husband returned from our farm where he had been busy fencing. Excitedly, I shared the news with him, and his face lit up with happiness, mirroring my own. Our first collective thought was to construct a much-needed latrine. For too long, we had been sharing with our neighbor. Additionally, we envisioned attending to other pressing needs that had lingered unfulfilled. We felt a profound sense of gratitude towards GiveDirectly for enabling us to embark on these essential endeavors."

"Upon receiving $180.1 from GiveDirectly, we made decisions that significantly impacted our lives. Our situation had become untenable—relying solely on my husband's sporadic casual jobs for sustenance was no longer viable. With a 9-month-old baby, venturing out for work wasn't feasible for me; I had to stay home, wholly dependent on my husband to put food on our table. We allocated $100 to procure food—an essential expense that had been looming over us. With a mere half-acre of land at our disposal and no prior means to cultivate it due to financial constraints, $30 was dedicated to finally sowing seeds. It was a glimmer of hope for future sustenance. Our family's clothing situation was dire. With $50.1, we invested in clothes for my husband, me, and our two children. Christmas holiday was fast approaching, and having fresh, new attire for the festivities became an ideal aspiration. The impact of this financial aid was profound. It not only provided immediate relief in terms of food but also allowed us to invest in our future through land cultivation and granted us the simple joy of new clothing during a festive time. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for being the catalyst for these transformative changes in our lives."

"On receiving the money, my first thought was feeding my family of six children and my husband. Our hustles had not given us anything on that day. I do charcoal burning for sale while my husband has a small shop where he sells household items. I therefore spent $60 of the transfer to buy food for my children. Of the six children, one is in secondary school and had a fee balance of $200, which I also cleared using part of the transfer. Our house was very tiny and we were all sleeping in it, and this was very inappropriate. I went ahead and spent $200 to build a house so that we could sleep separately from the grown kids."

"I am a mother of six children who does not have a stable job but rely on working on people's farms and making charcoal for sell. On that day, my children and I were eating lunch at home when my phone buzzed. Since I never went to school and can't read, I requested that my child read the message for me. He informed me that GiveDirectly had sent a mobile money notification and we were thrilled and thanked God for answering our prayers. We had never experienced such happiness in our lives before and It felt like a door had been opened into our lives. I informed my husband, who works in a different town from our home, of the wonderful news right away. My first concern was our house's grass roofing, which needed some serious repairs because it was in such horrible shape and the heavy rains were coming; thus, we did not want to be rained on or the rains leaking to the walls and completely collapsing the house."

"As I said I started saving to build a new house in April. I now have enough money to buy iron sheets which is about $120. I am now saving for the building poles I need to finish with the construction. I had married but my wife left due to a disagreement hence I am left alone. I am building a one roomed house which will be made out of mud and iron sheets. I know this will be a big upgrade from my paper roof house and will withstand the harsh weather conditions that we have been experiencing lately."

"As we are currently in the planting season, I am hopeful for a successful harvest of the maize crops I planted. Upon harvesting, my family will have enough food for a few months. During this period, I intend to use the cash transfers to venture into livestock investment. While I previously owned a few goats, I had to sell them to finance my five children's education. Acquiring livestock will provide a sustainable source of income even after the cash transfers end. The ability to sell livestock, such as goats, will enable me to secure funds for ongoing school fees and food expenses. This strategic plan aims to mitigate financial hardships beyond the next few years when the cash transfers conclude."

"I want to keep getting goats; right now, I have three that I bought using the cash transfers I received in the previous months. Since I don't have a stable source of income, well, apart from cash transfers, rearing goats is the main way I can support my family. This will also allow me to relieve the burden on my son, who works as a herdsman to provide for us. Having goats means I can sell them later to generate funds for urgent needs like food. They'll also be something I can rely on for income even after the cash transfers end."

"I eagerly anticipate expanding my livestock holdings, particularly by acquiring more goats, recognizing the potential for significant profit in this venture. The forthcoming transfers, as well as my existing ones, will be allocated toward purchasing these goats. Establishing a stable source of income through this business venture holds great importance to me, as it ensures that my children can receive a quality education. Education is a priority in my life, and having a reliable income stream will enable me to support my children's educational needs more effectively."

"I am overjoyed by the transformative impact the transfers have had on my life and my family's well-being. I seized the opportunity to invest in additional goats, expanding our livestock holdings beyond the initial three we had. This positive change has been monumental for us. We have transitioned from a time of uncertainty, where securing enough food was a constant worry, to a more stable and secure position. Now, we stand proudly as a food-secure household, a feat we once deemed nearly impossible. The transfers have been a catalyst for this positive transformation, significantly improving our lives and providing us with the means to build a more secure and stable future. The newfound stability and security are a testament to the remarkable impact these transfers have had on our lives."

"I now have my own land with an agreement written under my true names. I sleep well, and above all, I am also now among the rich men in our community."