"Growing up, I understood the value of livestock not just as a way of life but as a reliable source of income. With $215 of the transfer, I fulfilled this passion by expanding my livestock holdings by purchasing five goats and five hens. This brings me immense satisfaction to know that this decision will secure my children's educational journey, especially my eldest child, who is nearing junior high school. Additionally, I used $110 to ensure that my family would never go hungry. As a provider in a household relying on sporadic casual work for survival, having a consistent food supply is crucial. I also cleared a $50 food debt I had. I did this not just to settle accounts but also to maintain harmonious relationships with the owner, knowing that in the future, I might need his support too. Understanding the significance of looking presentable during special occasions and church gatherings, I invested $50 in clothing. My children and I needed new attire as our previous clothes were showing signs of wear and tear. Life can get lonely, especially when my children are not around. To combat that solitude, I decided to treat myself to a $25 radio. This provides me with peace of mind as it becomes a companion during those quiet moments, and it eases the ache of separation since my wife and I parted ways in 2015."

"Receiving the cash transfer was a blessing, and I made sure to allocate it wisely among all that I had enlisted to do with the first transfer. Right after collecting it from the shopping center, I spent $94 on purchasing 10 iron sheets. These sheets will be instrumental in constructing a latrine for our household. Until now, we had been without one, and answering the call of nature in nearby bushes was far from ideal. This new addition to our home gives us hope for improved household hygiene and a more dignified way of living. To ensure my family of two had enough to eat, I spent $65 on a bag of maize, $10 on 5kg of sugar, $5 on a carton of milk, and another $10 on 5kg of beans. These provisions will help us maintain a balanced and nourishing diet. Additionally, $10 was dedicated to transportation to and from the shopping center while I was dispensing the funds, ensuring I could efficiently manage the purchases. I wisely used the remaining $7 to buy essential household goods, further improving our living conditions. This unconditional cash transfer has not only made a tangible difference in our daily lives but has also brought a newfound sense of dignity and well-being to our family."

"Receiving the unconditional cash transfer was a turning point for my family, and I made sure to use it wisely. I allocated $115 to purchase maize and other household foodstuffs, which not only ensured we had enough to eat but also allowed us to enjoy a variety of balanced meals. To invest in our future, I spent $240 to buy four goats, with plans to breed them and sell their offspring down the road. Additionally, I set aside $10 for essential household goods, including toiletries, and saved $20 for any unforeseen emergencies. The remaining $37 was put to good use, addressing some of the household needs we had been struggling with. Most importantly, I allocated $28 to pay for my child's school fees, which was crucial given the challenges our subsistence farming faced due to adverse drought conditions. This unconditional cash transfer has provided our family with stability, security, and the means to build a better future for ourselves."

"I used $100 to pay school fees balance for my child who was in secondary school then. Another $150 was used to buy pieces of iron sheets that is meant to help is construct a new house for our family. I then used another $90 to purchase maize that we have been consuming with my family over the last couple of days. I also used another $10 to buy dewormers for my livestock as I used another $40 to have additional livestock in my flock. I am so grateful for what I have been able to achieve with the help of GiveDirectly transfers this far. The money came at a time that my daughter had just had her first child and we used the money to help her 8n her recovery journey and nursing."

"The distinct approach of the Give Directly program has empowered many of us to tackle our financial challenges in a private and optimal manner. The method of direct cash transfers stands out as one of the most effective ways to alleviate poverty and foster financial responsibility among recipients."

"From my perspective, I have nothing but appreciation for every aspect of GiveDirectly, right from the moment of enrollment to the very end. The staff involved were not only professional but also exceptionally kind and genuinely concerned about our understanding of the entire program. The unconditional nature of the money made the experience even more remarkable, as there were no conditions or complaints from our side. GiveDirectly's approach to providing assistance is not only effective but also conducted with a level of care and respect that I truly admire."

"I am so grateful for the unconditional cash transfer I received from GiveDirectly, as it allowed me to make some significant improvements in my life. I used $318 to construct a new house, which has been a long-held dream of mine. The extra space it provides will make living with my family of three so much more comfortable. During the construction, I paid $30 in labor costs to skilled workers who helped bring my vision to life. Additionally, I purchased a bed and mattress for $19, ensuring a more comfortable night's sleep for all of us. Education is important to me, so I set aside $30 to cover my granddaughter's secondary school fees. To make sure everyone in the family is well fed, I allocated $8 for food expenses. Lastly, I invested $15 in household goods to make our daily lives more convenient, and the remaining $30 went towards fencing around my piece of land, which will be crucial for the upcoming planting season. This unconditional cash transfer has truly transformed our lives, providing us with a better home, education opportunities, and the means to provide for our basic needs."

"If I had the might, I would fence my compound. If God blesses me, I will be able to fence my compound so that I will be able to practice any agricultural activities within it. I could then be able to plant some pf the drought resistant crops like pawpaws, bananas among other crops. I will also be able to add more livestock in my farm to be able to make ends meet at the end of the day. I will be using the transfers that I will receive from GiveDirectly to advance these agricultural activities and change the living standards of my family. This will help me vend for my family and to take care of my child who was married but got mistreated and decided to come back home. Her four children looks up to us and I will be the happiest when I am in a position to provide for them."

"I used $300 to build a new house for my family. Another $100 was used to till our pieces of land and to plant crops in it. The remaining amount of $50 was used to seek medication for my wife and I since we fell ill at around that time. I was living in a grass thached house that had been attacked by termites and it was at the verge of falling. I would be forced to rely on casual labour proceeds to make ends meet and this would often leave me with very little to support my family. On these sides of our land, we can hardly plant crops in our farms and this has often left us helpless. Relying solely on livestock could be disastrous as you would sell and remain with nothing and still have a lot of needs to take care of. Right now I got only five goats that I keep. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for what it has enabled me to achieve over short period of time."

"My goal is to continue buying goats in the future, provided I don't face other financial constraints and my health remains stable. I often suffer from chest complications, and a significant portion of the transfer funds go toward medication for this condition. I hope that in the coming years, things will be less complicated than they have been in the past. I currently have four goats that I acquired through previous transfers, and I aim to buy six more and let the herd grow."