"GiveDirectly did a wonderful job educating us clearly about their cash transfer program, including all the rules and procedures. They made sure we understood that the money is meant to improve our lives and should be used responsibly. I appreciate how they patiently explained everything and encouraged us to make good choices. The team was respectful, and their advice felt genuine and caring. I haven’t noticed anything negative; everything has been handled well, and their support has truly helped my family. I’m grateful for the way GiveDirectly operates and for the positive impact they’ve made in our community."

"Loneliness is the greatest challenge am currently facing.I am a teacher at Loruk primary school which is 15 kilometers from my home.I commute to school daily ,this is hectic and straineous for me because I have to do household chores and cook for myself later in the evening.Life has been challenging to me since the demise of my lovely wife in the year 2022.I am currently stranded and confused on wether to remarry or not.I have fears on restarting marriage life because my 4 children are now elderly, my last born is currently 20 years . The thought of having a baby at my age of 50 freaks me out a lot moreso since am now a grandfather.I am currently learning to let go of the good memories we had with my wife , (hough painful) so that my life can go on smoothly."

"My house, roofed with only five iron sheets, was far too small for my family of four. Whenever I had visitors, they had to sleep at my neighbor's place because there simply wasn't enough space. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I seized the opportunity to construct a one-room house, both roofed and walled with iron sheets, which cost me $350. This new house provided us with much-needed space and comfort. Previously, I had only two plastic chairs, which were inadequate for us, so I bought three additional plastic chairs for $21 and a table for $85. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially since I am a single mom relying fully on casual jobs. To help with this, I purchased a bag of maize worth $27, ensuring that we had enough to eat. Unfortunately, my daughter fell ill with malaria during this time, and I had to spend $10 on her medication. We desperately needed clothes because our old ones were worn out and tattered. With the remaining money, I bought new clothes for myself and my three children, bringing them joy. Seeing their smiles was worth every sacrifice I had made."

"I am planning to open a kiosk using my final transfer, as I believe it will provide a crucial alternative income source for my family. This year has been a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be; we lost our entire crop to floods, which severely impacted our finances. By starting this business, I aim to diversify our income, ensuring that we are not solely reliant on crop farming. I envision the kiosk not just as a source of income, but also as a way to serve my community by providing essential goods that they need daily. Ultimately, this venture will help create a more stable future for my family."

"Receiving my second transfer was a turning point for my family. I spent $100 to expand our house because, as a family of eight, we had been cramped in just one small room. Initially, our home had a roof made of only five iron sheets, but now we have a roof made of seven iron sheets, creating a more comfortable living space for us. After being displaced by floods about five years ago, we have been living on someone else's plot, and recently, the owner offered to sell me the land for $350. With this transfer, I was able to reduce the amount owed by $120, and I plan to clear the remaining balance later. In addition, I rented half an acre of land for $50, where I plan to prepare and plant maize next month. Alongside this, I already have another half-acre of land at home where I plowed for $19, bought black nightshade seeds for $5, and spent $21 on irrigation. For years, my husband and I have been dreaming of our pre-wedding, and now that we have been saving diligently, I was able to set aside $135 from the balance of the transfer to cover some of the preparation costs. I am excited that our plans for the pre-wedding will finally come true next month. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"Receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly was life changing for me, especially given my current situation. My family lives in a small one-roomed house that serves as our living room and bedroom. We cook outside, which is inconvenient and unhygienic, particularly when it rains and cooking becomes impossible. With $146 from the transfer, I decided to invest in iron sheets for an additional room, planning to use my final transfer to buy the remaining materials and finally begin construction. In addition, I have always wanted to own livestock, but until now, I have only had chickens. My neighbors have sheep, and I have seen how well they do in our area; they multiply quickly and can be a reliable source of income. So, I decided to use part of the transfer to buy three sheep, each costing $58. As the sheep multiply, I can sell them to generate income in the future. My son, who is in boarding school, had fee arrears of $50. To ensure he does not get sent home, I made the decision to clear that debt completely. Unfortunately, I got sick during this time and had to be admitted to the hospital due to blood issues, which cost me $36. Being ill meant I could not do any casual jobs, so I also spent $42 on essential food items like cereals to sustain my family as I recovered. I used the remaining funds for transportation to town and back."

"Living in a muddy-walled house had become increasingly difficult for me, especially this year when the heavy rains caused extensive damage. The walls deteriorated further, creating several holes; as a result, we had to manage our small kitchen with my daughter and two grandchildren. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I used $350 from the funds to build a one room iron-sheet house. Now, we live in a decent home, a transformation I am truly grateful for. In addition, we also lacked proper clothing, so I spent $45 on our clothes, as it was essential to ensure that we had decent attire. Furthermore, I allocated $35 to purchase a bag of maize, which helped sustain us for a while, and spent an additional $20 on other food items. I am thankful for this support."

"After receiving my second transfer, I was finally able to improve our living situation. Previously, my family of five was crammed into a single room with an iron sheet roof and muddy walls. Our home was vulnerable, especially during the rains when the walls felt like they could collapse at any moment. Cooking outside was not only inconvenient but also unhygienic, and when it rained, we could not cook at all. With the $200 from my transfer, I built a one-room iron sheet house and a small kitchen, using some iron sheets I had already saved up for. In addition to improving our shelter, I wanted to secure our future, particularly concerning my children's school fees. I decided to invest in livestock by buying three female goats for $165, knowing they would multiply over time. As a crop farmer, I also allocated $70 for plowing and creating ridges for my next planting season. I plan to plant green grams next month, which I believe will provide a good yield. Food was a struggle. With the remaining money, I purchased half a bag of maize, as our previous maize crop was swept away by floods this year. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I have been doing crop farming for a while now, working on half an acre of land that a neighbor generously offered me. My plan for the future is to rent an additional acre of land, which will expand the half an acre I already farm. I intend to plant maize during the next planting season. I plan to use my final transfer to make this happen, as it will help cover the costs of renting the land and purchasing the necessary inputs. By increasing my land size, I will boost my yields, leading to more income. This will not only allow me to continue farming but also give me the opportunity to invest part of the income in adding more sheep to my flock."

"When I received my second transfer, my first thought was of my mother. Her house, made of mud walls and an iron roof, had been standing for years but had become weak and damaged by termites. Just a month before the transfer, a strong wind blew the house down. Thankfully, my mother was not hurt, though she had to move in with a neighbor. When the money came, I knew I had to prioritize rebuilding her home. I spent $350 on iron sheets, posts, frames, nails, and labor to give her a new house with iron sheet walls and a roof. Now, the house is complete, and my mother is happy. She’s incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly and sends countless blessings for their support. Additionally, I am a farmer, and this is our main source of income. Unfortunately, I lost 1.5 acres of maize and an acre of beans to the recent floods, which left us struggling with food shortages. With part of the transfer, I bought a bag of maize for $35 and other essentials for $20 to get us through. I used the remaining $45 to clear my land, preparing it for the next planting season, as I plan to give crop farming another try."