"Life used to be incredibly tough for me. I struggled to make ends meet, working long hours in low-paying casual labor jobs just to put food on the table for my family. But then, something incredible happened that changed our lives forever. I received a cash transfer from GiveDirectly. With that money, I was able to start my own small boutique business, something I had always dreamed of but never had the means to pursue. It wasn't easy, but with determination and hard work, my business began to thrive. Now, I can say that I no longer have to worry about where our next meal will come from. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I have the means to provide for my family, and we are happier and more secure than ever before."

"It was around 4 p.m. when I had gone to see the village elder seeking advice, as I often did. She, knowing my struggles with reading and writing, asked me if I had received my first GiveDirectly transfer. I replied that I would have to ask my helper to check for me since I couldn't check myself. When I returned home, my helper checked, and there it was, the money had been deposited into my account. I couldn't contain my joy; I felt like a miracle had happened. I thanked God over and over for this incredible blessing."

"I finished form four but I did not go for higher education. I would want to join college and study as a laboratory technician. My hope is to be able to save $400 at the beginning to start me off while buying animals which I believe will reproduce and I can sell their offsprings to raise subsequent school fees. I want to eventually become a professional laboratory technician and make a good salary to take care of my siblings and parents."

"As I said I do not make much and so I cannot plan for things that are beyond our daily needs such as food. My house, though it has three rooms accommodates 7 members. I have older children who I feel need their own place to stay. I am working on building another house which they can live in separate from me and my husband which will ensure their is some sort of privacy."

"It was 3:10 PM, and I was knee-deep in a pile of laundry, washing my children's clothes. The sun was beating down, and my tired hands were aching. Suddenly, the familiar message tone on my phone chimed. Since I do not know how to read, I told my daughter who was around to read and interpret the message for me. Her eyes widened as she read and jovially she said that we had received our first GiveDirectly cash transfer. At that moment, a profound sense of relief washed over me, knowing that this money was a beacon of hope amidst our financial struggles. It was like a ray of sunshine breaking through the darkest clouds, and I couldn't help but smile, tears of joy mixing with the sweat on my face."

"I was sitting in our small, dimly lit living room, breastfeeding my twins at around 3 p.m. when my phone buzzed with a message. The excitement welled up inside me, but I knew I had to wait for my son, who was still in school, to come home in the evening so he could read and interpret it for me. The hours dragged on, but when he finally arrived and read the message, a wave of joy washed over me. I had received the first transfer from GiveDirectly, the promised money we so desperately needed. At that moment, I felt an overwhelming sense of relief and hope, knowing that this significant amount would help us build a better future for our family."

"I was at the trading center at around 3 p.m., trying to make ends meet like every other day. My phone, suddenly vibrated twice rapidly. Since I did not know how to read, I ignored it until I reached home in the evening. When I got there, my son, who had been out of school for a while because we couldn't afford his fees, read and interpreted the message for me. I was filled with a rush of joy and happiness when I heard that the first transfer from GiveDirectly had been sent to my account. It was like a weight lifting off my shoulders, knowing my son would finally be able to resume his classes."

"I used to live in a house made of grass, and whenever it rained or the wind blew strongly, it was terrible. I worried about my family's safety and comfort, especially during the unpredictable weather changes. When I received the cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in a better, more secure house. I used $300 to buy 20 pieces of iron sheets, along with nails and binding wire. These materials would form the roof of our new house, which would protect us from the rain and harsh sun. I also purchased roofing timbers for $127 to complete the structure. With the remaining amount, I hired a skilled contractor who would help build our new home. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I'm filled with joy and relief because soon my family and I will have a safe and comfortable house. I am immensely grateful for this opportunity to improve our living conditions, and it's all thanks to GiveDirectly's support."

"Receiving the cash transfer from GiveDirectly was a blessing for my family. I first paid $125 in school fees arrears for my two children. It brought a smile to my face to see them settled in school, ready to learn and build a brighter future. Education is so important, and I'm glad I could use this money to support their schooling. I also shared $100 with my co-wife. Our husband, a casual laborer, was going through tough times financially, and I knew her children needed help too. It felt good to be able to support her and ensure that all the kids in our family had their needs met. Apart from that, I used $86 to invest in our family's future. I bought seven ducks and four chickens to start a small poultry business. I hope that over time, this investment will help us generate more income and improve our family's financial stability. Lastly, I put aside the remaining amount for our family's everyday expenses. Having this safety net means we won't have to worry about going hungry or struggling to meet basic needs. Thanks to GiveDirectly, our family's future is looking brighter, and we have a bit more security in our lives."

"The most significant change in my daily life since I began receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly is the presence of four goats in my compound. Owning goats had always been a dream of mine, but the financial burden was simply too great to bear on my own. These goats are more than just livestock; they represent a lifeline in times of financial crisis. With them, I have a safety net, a source of income, and a means to secure my family's future. One of the most pressing challenges I faced before was ensuring that my two children could attend junior secondary school regularly, as I relied solely on income from farming, which could be unpredictable. But now, with the goats, I can confidently provide for their education, knowing that I have a sustainable source of income. These cash transfers have not only given me the means to fulfill my dream of owning livestock but have also opened up a world of opportunities for my family's well-being and education, marking a profound and transformative difference in our lives."