"Receiving that unconditional cash transfer was a blessing beyond words. I wasted no time in investing it wisely. First, I purchased all the essential building materials: iron sheets, poles, trees, and nails, totaling around $225, along with the necessary labor charges. Our current house was nothing more than a fragile, temporary structure that had filled me with fear for far too long, fearing that it might collapse at any moment. Building a new, sturdy home was a priority, and this investment in safety and security for my family was long overdue. I also made a strategic decision to buy a goat for $50. It may seem like a small purchase, but to me, it represents a long-term investment. I believe that with proper care, this goat will multiply, and I can eventually sell its offspring to meet any unexpected expenses. I also allocated $30 to pay the school fees for my son, who is in fifth grade. With this burden lifted, he can now focus on his education without the worry of being sent home due to unpaid fees. As a widow responsible for three children, I primarily rely on farming activities for our livelihood. With the remaining amount, I'm planning to start a small business selling fresh vegetables in our village. This venture holds the promise of generating a steady income that can support my family's needs and provide a brighter future for my children."

"It was exactly 3 in the afternoon when I took a break from my daily house chores and decided to check my messages. As I scrolled through my phone, my heart leaped with joy when I discovered an unread message from GiveDirectly. Opening it, I couldn't believe my eyes; I had received my first unconditional cash transfer. Excitement surged through me, and I immediately shared the news with my husband. After discussing our options, we decided to use the money to move into a new house, leaving behind the old, dilapidated grass-thatched one that had provided us shelter for so long. The overwhelming feeling of hope and possibility washed over us as we envisioned a brighter and more secure future in our new home."

"The recipient had not known that he had money on his account until during the follow-up exercise thus when he came yo know. However, his plan is to buy land, renovate his house, and buy a cow"

"I took a bold step with the recent unconditional cash transfer, investing around $400 in starting a retail shop business. Previously, I had been stuck in low-paying jobs that barely allowed me to provide for my family of three. As the breadwinner, the responsibility weighed heavily on me, especially since my wife had been tirelessly searching for employment without success. There were times when my children had to stay at home due to unpaid bills, and some nights we went to bed hungry, which was incredibly frustrating as a father. Alongside setting up the shop, I also wisely saved $100 for any unexpected emergencies that might arise in my new venture. Now, I can see the profits rolling in, and I've been able to take care of my family without the constant struggle we endured before. With the remaining $50, I purchased essential food items that will sustain us for a while. It's such a relief to have this financial stability, knowing that I can provide not only for our immediate needs but also invest in a more secure future. The transformation from struggling to thriving has been truly remarkable, and I'm filled with gratitude for the opportunity that the unconditional cash transfer has given me and my family."

"The biggest difference in my life since I started receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly is that I now have a salon. When my spouse divorced me about three years ago, I had nothing to offer in terms of employment or stability. I was left stranded with my four children, and I had to return to my father's house to seek assistance. It wasn't easy, as my family also had their own financial responsibilities to handle. Consequently, my children struggled to meet their basic needs, including school fees and food, due to my lack of a stable income. I'm overjoyed now that I have the salon, and the profits I earn have alleviated the financial strain. I no longer have to worry about providing for my children's essential needs, and I can't thank GiveDirectly enough for their invaluable support and kindness. This transformation in my life has given me hope and a sense of security that I never thought possible."

"My future goal is to take my selling business to the next level by building a stall at the marketplace where I sell my products. Currently, not having a stall has made running my business quite inconvenient. I have to carry my stock back and forth from home to the marketplace daily, spending three hours on the road, which is exhausting. Having a stall would reduce this fatigue, allowing me to leave my stock at the market and commute without a heavy load. This will not only ease my hardships but also give me more time to care for my seven young children who depend on me."

"My focus for the upcoming year and beyond is on two things. First, I am determined to complete my beauty and hair-making college program, which I was only able to attend thanks to the cash transfers from GiveDirectly. Upon graduation, I plan to leverage my acquired expertise to establish a salon business in my village. I am particularly enthusiastic about this venture because there is currently no one providing such services in my community. By bridging this gap, I believe I can serve my community and simultaneously generate income to support my family's needs."

"Looking forward, my primary goal is to establish a sustainable source of income and accumulate wealth through livestock rearing. Goats, in particular, pique my interest because they have resilience in the face of harsh weather conditions, which are quite prevalent in our region. The recent cash transfer allowed me to acquire my first goat, and I plan to expand my herd. Over time, as these animals reproduce, and even after the cash transfers end, I envision being able to sell the goats to generate funds. These funds will not only cater to the needs of my four children but also alleviate the financial burden on my husband, who faces challenges in making a decent living through his carpentry job."

"The prospect of acquiring a new bed means a lot to me. Sleeping on a sisal-roped bed has caused me discomfort and fatigue, and I see this as an opportunity to have a decent and comfortable sleeping space. Once I have acquired the bed, I plan to continue saving through the merry-go-round club for the education of my eldest child, who is currently in grade 5. In the next two years, he will be entering junior high school, and I anticipate that the educational expenses at that level will be considerably higher than what we can afford with our current income from casual jobs. Supporting his education is not only crucial for his future success but also a means of easing the financial burden on his father and me as we strive to provide for him and his siblings."

"My primary focus right now is to support the education of my son, Karisa. Two years ago, after he graduated from high school, it was a financial challenge for me to send him to college as I lacked the necessary funds. Initially, when I started receiving the cash transfers, I had to prioritize buying food because our family was constantly facing hunger. It was only when we had a good harvest recently that I began saving for my son's education. I'm happy that Karisa has now joined a plumbing college, and I am committed to supporting his education until he graduates in the next two years. While I would have liked to invest in buying goats and expanding my livestock holdings, my son's education is my top priority."