"The day when I received the message about the transfers is etched in my memory. It was around 3 pm when I first heard the notification chiming on my phone. However, there was a small hurdle in that I couldn't read the message myself. So, I patiently waited until the next day when my helper could assist me in deciphering the contents. When my helper finally read the message, joy and relief washed over me as I learned that it was indeed the long-awaited transfers from GiveDirectly. The realization that help had arrived brought an immense sense of happiness and gratitude. The reason behind my anticipation was deeply personal. I had a child who had recently completed secondary school with dreams of pursuing a career in mechanical engineering. I knew that by supporting my child's education, I was fulfilling his dreams and also investing in a brighter future for our family. This dream of my child becoming a mechanical engineer represented the hope of secure employment and the ability to provide for our family in the years to come. It was a dream that resonated deeply with me, and I was determined to make it a reality."

"My husband is a seasonal plumber and his monthly income is around $90. This income is very minimal considering that I am jobless and we depend on this payment for everything. Balancing between saving and spending is another challenge because it becomes stressful. After all, I have never managed to save. As a wife, I have felt like a burden to my husband because I lack any income as a supplement to his little income. Since we have a son, I am so worried about our future and this is what has given me stress."

"Eighteen years down the line since my wife passed away, has been a long journey of sorrow. This is because being a widower means assuming all the household chores. As a man, there are some roles like sweeping or cooking which are regarded to be for women in our community. Since I didn't want myself to be a laughing stock to people, I decided to employ a worker. This has equally been a stress to me because I am required to pay her $30 per month. Because my kiosk has not thrived well, getting this amount every month is a challenge and it means delaying her payment. Hence, I consider financial instability to be my biggest challenge."

"My husband and I do casual jobs at the quarry earning approximately $25 each per month. The money caters mostly for food and school fees which is not even enough. Sometimes my children miss classes due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performances . Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing. I am a single mother doing casual jobs at the nearby quarry and earn approximately $30 per month which caters for school fees and food. My children have been out of school for sometimes due to lack of school fees. This has affected their performance and also sometimes they miss class due to hunger."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge that I am currently facing in life. I do casual work at the nearby quarry which gives me an income of $80 per month though sometimes I go the whole month without any job. This is a seasonal work and has affected my family socially and academically. My wife was taken back to her maternal home because I did not give the bride price due to lack of money. My daughter has been out of school too due to lack of school fees."

"The idea to give us money is something you do well."

"GD was able to fulfill its promise. I'm not aware of anything since the promise was fulfilled and we hope you do it again."

"The direct cash transfers from Give Directly have catalyzed unprecedented transformations in our village. There's a notable surge in new businesses, increased school enrollments, and marked improvements in living conditions. People now reside in better homes, enjoy nutritious meals, and even maintain healthier interpersonal relationships."

"Next year, I aim to venture into farming, beginning with maize and beans. Having amassed valuable experience working on other people's farms, I'm confident that this knowledge will be instrumental in launching my own agricultural enterprise."