"I'm faced with many challenges in my life currently, however, the biggest challenge that is most felt is the lack of money for school fees and other basic needs. Since we depend on farming for money, it has been very challenging since there have been prolonged droughts in our area which has led to low productivity. I have 3 children; Vinny, Faith, and Alonso who are in secondary school and it is very difficult to get their tuition fees. This stresses me up so much especially when they are sent home."

"Upon receiving the transfer, I saw it as the perfect opportunity to acquire crucial building materials for constructing a decent house, a dream that financial constraints had previously hindered. Due to my advanced age, working is a challenge, and I rely on my children and small-scale farming for sustenance. As a widow living alone, I dedicated $113 to purchase building materials, including iron sheets and nails. Additionally, I set aside $14 for future needs. The remaining $73 was wisely used to procure essential food items like maize, vital for our well-being. I am delighted to now have an ample food supply at home, a significant improvement from the past when affording even one meal a day was a challenge. Thus, I am forever grateful for the positive change in our circumstances."

"Upon receiving our transfer, our immediate focus was on enhancing our living conditions. We spent $170 to purchase iron sheets for renovating our aging house, ensuring a more comfortable living space. Simultaneously, we invested in building materials and barbed wire, spending $170 to improve the overall security and appearance of our property. Allocating $100, we acquired two goats, adding to our household assets. Furthermore, we secured our food supply by purchasing maize. In a prudent move towards the future, I saved the remaining $170. Our family, comprised of my daughter and me, has experienced a remarkable improvement in our lives, all thanks to the invaluable support provided by GiveDirectly."

"My goal would be for me to accomplish my dream of furthering my studies at an advanced stage in accountancy. To achieve this, I plan on using the the money that I will get from the bee keeping farming."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my aspiration is to reintegrate my daughter into secondary school, as she had to discontinue her education due to early pregnancy. Additionally, I aim to pursue training in tailoring. To realize these dreams, I intend to utilize the funds generated from our enhanced butchery business, which has been boosted by the transfer we received."

"Living with my family of six in a single room has posed a long-standing challenge due to limited space. It has been our prayer to find a solution that would enable us to construct a new house. With the second transfer, I took a significant step towards this goal by purchasing 18 iron sheets valued at $239, 18 building poles for $54, and roofing frames costing $100. The additional room will not only provide more living space but also allow us to have a separate kitchen, bringing more order to our living arrangements. I spent $11 for food, including 16kg of maize and 5kg of beans, which we are still using to date. Another $20 went towards household goods, including toiletries, to enhance our comfort and maintain a high level of hygiene in our living space. Previously, I had been reliant on charcoal burning and occasional casual labor, which, though hard to come by, helped in acquiring essential household needs. During tougher times, I had to sell part of my goat herd and use the proceeds to purchase food and other necessities."

"Since the start of the program, from the initial meetings to the enrollment process and the distribution of transfers, GiveDirectly has consistently demonstrated excellence, earning appreciation from everyone in my community. The generosity extended to us is unprecedented in my experience, and I am grateful to be a part of this transformative initiative. GiveDirectly's approach has not only provided financial support but has also granted us the responsibility of handling a significant sum, encouraging us to plan and be accountable for every aspect of its usage. This experience has made us more attentive and responsible in managing the funds. I sincerely hope that other communities, like ours, have the opportunity to receive similar support from GiveDirectly, experiencing the positive and empowering impact that has become evident in my own life."

"Cash support has proven to be the most impactful assistance one could receive, turning our goals into reality. GiveDirectly has facilitated this for the first time in my lifetime, significantly contributing to the success of our plans. Despite initial trust issues that some had upon enrollment, the organization not only delivered as promised but also granted us the freedom to spend the funds as we saw fit. The surprise and satisfaction within the community were palpable. I sincerely hope that GiveDirectly continues its commendable work in other communities, employing the same effective approach they used for us. The inclusive enrollment process, coupled with clear communication from the visiting staff, minimized complaints and ensured that everyone had a fair chance to benefit from this transformative initiative. My prayer is for GiveDirectly to extend its positive impact to more communities, bringing about positive change just as it did for us."

"For a long period, I have been operating a motorcycle taxi service, assisting community members in transporting their purchased goods from the shopping center to their homes. Through this endeavor, I have gained valuable insights into the goods people seek from distant places and what's readily available in the local shopping center. These experiences have sparked numerous business ideas. Looking ahead to the next year, I aspire to establish a hardware shop specializing in construction materials and farm tools. Currently, I am diligently saving from my motorbike taxi business, and as soon as I approach the $2000 mark, I plan to stock the new shop with a comprehensive range of goods to serve the entire community. The goal is not only to save customers' time but also to reduce their transportation costs, offering them more affordable alternatives compared to the expenses they incur when shopping in town. This venture aligns with my vision of contributing positively to the community by providing convenient access to essential products while fostering economic efficiency."

"Upon receiving my second transfer, we were eager to enhance our farming activities, especially with the piece of land we own next to the river. We had previously invested in a generator to pump water for irrigation, but we were short on pipes. Thanks to GiveDirectly, we were able to allocate $40 for pipes, $11 for five liters of generator fuel, and $25 for tomato seeds, which are currently thriving in the nursery bed. I also invested $36 in acquiring additional farming equipment, including a knapsack sprayer, slasher, file, and gumboots. The farm is flourishing, and I am optimistic about a bountiful harvest by the end of the season. Moreover, I settled a $25 debt I owed to a neighbor for farm inputs. Additionally, I used $95 for essential household goods, such as sugar, tea leaves, wheat flour, cooking oil, and a sack of maize, catering to my family of 8. To transport these items from town to my home, I incurred a $26 cost. Furthermore, I contributed $100 to cover the surveyor's cost for subdividing our land and saved the remainder to manage the tomato nursery bed until transplantation to the farm. Overall, the support from GiveDirectly has not only empowered our farming endeavors but also allowed us to address crucial needs within our family and community. I am truly grateful for the positive impact on our lives."