"What I never expected in my life was to raise my children with difficulties including food insecurity and fee problems. This is exactly what is happening because life has become so miserable and it has not spared us. Imagine a child being sent home because of $5! At home, we also skip some meals, a situation that has directly affected our health status. Both our incomes with my husband can not fully cater to our needs because in a month we earn less than $100. Considering the many needs in our household, it becomes tough to balance between meeting all our basic needs. This has pained me as a mother since watching my children desperately has robbed away my joy. Hence, I consider financial instability as my biggest challenge."

"The harsh economic condition has made my life so difficult because the cost of commodities has gone high. This means it becomes tough to balance between food and school fees. Considering my monthly income of $60 as a cook, I can not fully cater to my family's basic needs. Sometimes I am forced to seek a salary advance at the school where I work to pay fees for my children. Taking an advance means postponing the problem because it will reach a point where I will miss payment. Hence, I consider financial constraints as my biggest challenge."

"Right after receiving the third, transfer, I could not wait to start spending since I had a lot enlisted. I then tried to address various crucial needs for my family of eight by first purchasing a $60 sack of maize to ensure we had enough food to sustain us. Additionally, I used $100 to pay the school fees for my three children, two of whom are in secondary school and one in college. Despite the challenges we faced due to the drought affecting our farming activities, which had previously been our ultimate source of income, I am immensely grateful that my children have continued their education, thanks to GiveDirectly's support. Furthermore, the safety and well-being of my three daughters were a concern, as they had been seeking shelter in the neighborhood. To address this, I used $240 in materials and paid a labor cost of $50 to construct a new house within our compound, providing them with a comfortable and secure place to sleep. I am genuinely thankful for the generous support we received from GiveDirectly, which has significantly improved our quality of life and safety."

"As a family of seven, we often depend on charcoal burning for a living. Unfortunately, this business has been prohibited lately, and now putting food on the table is almost an issue. However, I am glad to thank GiveDirectly for being our financial assistant. Indeed, education is the key to a brighter and more promising future. It opens doors to opportunities, broadens horizons, and empowers individuals to reach their full potential. So when I received my transfers, I used $80 to clear school fees for my children in grades 5 and 6. I also spent $112 on bedding,a necessity for our comfort and well-being. Unfortunately, my mother was facing health issues, so I used $80 for medication. I spent the remaining transfers on food, which is crucial for our family's sustenance."

"I have devised a plan to allocate my upcoming transfers towards the purchase of livestock, specifically goats. I hold a positive outlook that these goats will reproduce and multiply, leading to an increase in their numbers and ultimately boosting my overall wealth. Currently, I face difficulties during the off-season months when job opportunities are scarce. By engaging in livestock rearing, I will establish a fallback option that can sustain me and my family, particularly during periods of when I am not at work. The financial support I have received thus far has played a significant role in enhancing the quality of life for my family. I am immensely grateful for this assistance, as it has enabled me to make strides in improving our circumstances. With the prospect of investing in livestock, I am hopeful that the subsequent transfers will continue to contribute to our well-being and provide a measure of stability for our future."

"I have a strong desire to enhance my income by making significant investments in livestock rearing. In addition to that, I am eager to venture into hen farming, both in layers and broilers, as it can provide an additional source of income to complement my current earnings. The financial support I have received thus far fills me with great joy, as it is enabling me to finally pursue long-held aspirations and turn them into reality. I am truly grateful for this opportunity to make my dreams come true with the help of the ongoing financial assistance."

"The freedom to allocate our transfer funds according to our specific needs was truly empowering. It enabled us to direct the money towards things that held great importance for us. Their presence and interactions left us elated and deeply grateful for the significant improvements that GiveDirectly's assistance had brought into our lives. Throughout my entire experience, I did not come across anything that needed improvement, as everything was executed flawlessly. I am immensely grateful for the support we received, as it has profoundly transformed my life in ways I couldn't have envisioned."

"The arrival of GiveDirectly in our village brought a profound sense of relief, as I eagerly anticipated the positive impact their aid could have on our lives. After my successful registration, my hopes were raised, and a profound sense of joy filled me as I knew I would be among the recipients. Immediately, I began strategizing how best to utilize the funds. Since my husband and I primarily rely on farming for income, supplemented by occasional odd jobs, our utmost priority has always been the well-being of our six children. With the first transfer, I made a prudent decision to spent $20 towards school fees, addressing our most pressing need at the time. Subsequently, I invested $70 in purchasing a bag of maize and 5 kilograms of beans to ensure our family had a sufficient food supply. Finally, $54 was wisely spent on acquiring fertilizer, pipes, and petrol to enhance our farming output. I am delighted to report that everything unfolded according to plan, thanks to the invaluable assistance I received."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, my main goal will be to enhance my expertise and experience in farming. My ultimate objective is to begin by fencing my land and subsequently focus on expanding my farming activities, particularly in the cultivation of fruits, beans, and maize. I am brimming with optimism and determination that all of this is achievable, as I plan to sell some of the goats I currently have and reinvest the proceeds into farming. I am thankful for the achievements I have already attained, and I eagerly anticipate the future with a deep sense of gratitude and excitement."

"I rely on selling hens to make a living, and I am not married yet. When I was assured that I would receive money from GiveDirectly, it rekindled my dream of starting a goat-rearing project. I had attempted it before, but unfortunately, all the goats I had perished due to illness. The income I generated from my chicken business was insufficient to purchase goats, so I primarily used the profits for food and other basic necessities. With the prospect of goats, I knew I could establish a reliable income source for emergencies. Consequently, I invested $150 to acquire three goats and allocated the remaining $28 for food supplies. I am delighted that my long-held dream has finally become a reality in such a short time."