"Receiving GiveDirectly’s unconditional money changed my life in ways I hadn't expected. What impressed me the most was their transparency – they didn’t rely on hearsay or favoritism. They had a clear criterion, and everyone who met it was enrolled without discrimination. I felt respected and seen as they conducted thorough assessments, making sure everyone who qualified was included. Everything was well explained and they left no room for speculations. I do not see anything that needs to be changed as the program is just okay as it is."

"The floods have made our current home unsafe and moving to higher ground is necessary. I used $250 from the transfer to pay for a piece of land that I have been paying for in instalments. We plan to leave our small plot here for farming, which will help us sustain ourselves. I also used $103 to buy 10 iron sheets to prepare for the new building and another $50 on posts and frames, which are the foundation we’ll need for this new structure. Getting these materials now felt important so we could start construction as soon as possible. I used what was left to buy food for our household. Since the flooding started, feeding everyone has been a daily struggle. Having a stockpile of food now means we can be secure for a while and focus on moving and building, without worrying as much about where our next meal will come from. Every dollar has been carefully spent to get us through this difficult time, and I feel hopeful that soon, we’ll be settled in a safer place, ready to rebuild our lives."

"I want to thank GiveDirectly for the financial support, it has truly helped me support my family without the financial strain I experienced before. I really do not want to return to the level of poverty I was in before GiveDirectly came to our rescue. That's why I want to invest in a business, so that when my transfer comes to an end, I can be financially stable and have a continuous income to support my family. I have started a grocery business and I want to expand it by adding more small fish for my customers who love them. In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest part of my transfer into boosting this business to achieve good returns. I know that if it picks up well and I maintain my customers, I will be in a better position to meet my family's needs with greater ease."

"We have experienced significant change in our community since GiveDirectly arrived in our village. Personally, I plan to invest a portion of my transfer into a profit-generating activity that will continue to provide benefits even after the transfers end. Therefore, I have decided to purchase goats and raise them as a future investment. As a parent of school-going children, I need to plan carefully. In addition to using the income from this investment to pay for school fees, it’s important to be prepared for any financial emergencies that may arise. Rather than relying on friends for help, I will have my own investment to depend on. I’m pleased to share that I have already bought eighteen goats, and I intend to acquire more until I have a substantial number. I believe that, over time, they will also reproduce and increase in number. Furthermore, I want to initiate a poultry project as well. Having both of these ventures will help support me during financially difficult times, as there is a ready market for both poultry and goats in our area. These are my plans for the coming year and beyond."

"When I received my transfer, it was a huge relief because my son, who is in secondary school, had been sent home due to unpaid school fees. The timing was perfect, as he returned home the very next morning after I got the money. He had arrears of $220, so I immediately paid $150, leaving a balance of $70, which I plan to clear with my final transfer. At the same time, my maize on three acres of land was ready for harvest, but I had lost some to floods. Thankfully, I still had some maize left on two acres, though I feared losing it due to lack of money. I had even considered borrowing, but I was fortunate enough to receive my second transfer from GiveDirectly, which I used to cover the $100 needed for harvesting, transporting, and shelling the maize. We also had an issue with seating in our home, as our family of seven only had a three-seater sofa, which I had bought with my first transfer. It wasn't enough, so I spent $100 on an additional sofa, plastic chairs, and a table. Although having maize was a blessing, it didn’t fully make us food secure. We still lacked other essentials like beans and various household items, so I spent $50 on those. I also used $40 to buy clothes and shoes for all of us, as our old ones were worn out, and we didn’t have anything decent for special occasions. The remaining amount went toward my transportation to town to purchase everything we needed."

"The plan I have now is to clear the remaining balance of $100 for the half a acre piece of land I recently secured. This land is on raised ground, which is much safer compared to where we currently live. I intend to move our house to this new plot to avoid future flooding incidents, especially after what happened to my grandmother. She is over 70 years old, and during the last floods, our house was submerged while she was inside. We had to rescue her and take her to a neighbor's place for safety. By relocating to higher ground, I can ensure my family, particularly my grandmother, will be protected from such dangers in the future."

"What stood out to me the most was how respectful and kind the GiveDirectly officers were. They took the time to explain everything in detail and gave me the opportunity to ask for any clarifications I needed. I appreciate how patient they were and how they made sure I understood the process. I have no recommendations for changing their program because I truly like it just as it is. The way they treat people and provide support has been very impressive to me."

"When I received $450 from GiveDirectly, I already had a plan for how to use it. I had been deeply affected by recent floods, which swept away my home and left me in a life-threatening situation. As an elderly person who spends most of my time at home, not having a proper place to live was truly distressing. I used $300 to buy construction materials, and I’ve since built a new house in a safer area, far from the risk of floods. Now, I feel secure and can live peacefully again. During this time, I also became ill, likely due to the cold and exposure to mosquitoes during the flooding. My vision and hearing were affected, making daily life difficult. I spent $25 on medication, which has thankfully restored my health, bringing me back to my normal self. The rest of the money went toward buying food, as it’s essential for my well-being. I no longer do casual jobs and generally rely on my children for support, but GiveDirectly’s assistance has allowed me to be less dependent on them. Now, I can afford my own food, which has improved my quality of life and brought greater ease to my family."

"What truly stood out to me about GiveDirectly is the approach of providing unconditional cash. Having the freedom to address my own needs in the way I think best has been incredibly empowering. This support has allowed me to buy livestock and invest in my grandson’s education, giving me the means to make meaningful, lasting changes in our lives. I have no specific recommendations for GiveDirectly, other than encouraging them to keep up the good work. Their support has made a real difference, and I’m grateful for the trust they place in recipients to decide what’s best for themselves."

"What stood out to me the most is GiveDirectly’s commitment and determination to their program. They guide you through every step, from enrollment to follow-up, showing genuine care and support. I truly admire how thorough and involved they are in making sure everything runs smoothly for each recipient. I have no specific recommendations for GiveDirectly because, in my experience, I haven’t seen anything that needs improvement. Their approach has been nothing short of excellent."