"I consider myself fortunate to own four acres of land, but due to a lack of capital, I have only been able to plant on one acre in the past. This year has been particularly challenging, as I lost my entire crop; however, I refuse to let that setback deter my plans for the future. I am determined to invest in irrigation equipment, including a generator, which will enable me to plant more efficiently and in a timely manner across all four acres. I intend to use my final transfer to make this investment a reality, as I believe it will significantly increase my yields. With the income generated from planting the entire four acres, I will be able to meet my family’s needs, including school fees and daily expenses, ensuring a more stable and secure future for us all."

"For more than ten years, I have been living in a grass-thatched house, which has not been easy. As a small-scale farmer who occasionally takes on casual jobs, my income has always been limited, and I have been the sole provider for my four children. I am planning to use part of my final transfer to build a better house, even if it means starting with just one room. What matters most to me is that it will be made of iron sheets, providing a more secure and durable shelter for my family."

"When I received my second unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to support my family and help us get back on our feet. My wife runs a grocery and cereal business, which has been crucial in meeting our daily needs, especially since my crop farming is seasonal. However, her business stock had been running low, and I recognized its potential to provide us with consistent income. Therefore, I decided to give her $195 to increase her stock, which has already resulted in higher profits. She even managed to pay $50 in school fees for our children and bought them some clothes while her business continues to thrive. Additionally, I invested $150 in my crop farming by planting butternut squash and green grams. This money went towards land preparation, planting, and irrigation, and I’m pleased that my crops are doing well. With harvest expected in about two months, I now have faith in getting back on my feet again after losing my previous crops to floods. Furthermore, I allocated $50 to clear the fees for my three children in elementary school. The remaining $55 I spent on food to ensure we have enough to eat and to avoid relying solely on the business during its growth phase. I purchased essential cereals and condiments to sustain us while we await the harvest from my crops. With these combined efforts, I believe both my wife’s business and my farming will lead us toward financial stability, allowing us to provide a better future for our children."

"Together with my family of five, we have been living in a cramped one-room house with an iron roof and walls. The space was too small for us, making it difficult to store even our essential household items. When we had visitors, we often had to accommodate them in my mom's house, which was not ideal. After receiving my second cash transfer, I decided to build an additional one roomed house with iron walls and a roof, which cost $350. Now, thanks to GiveDirectly, we finally have some breathing space in our home. To ensure we have enough milk for our children, I also bought a goat for $50, adding to the five goats we already had. This will help us secure a steady supply of milk, and we can also sell some to address any future emergencies as they multiply. Additionally, I spent $10 on food, as we were facing a significant food shortage after losing our crops to the floods. I gave my wife $30 to buy new clothes for our children since theirs were worn out, and I allocated $10 for labor to clear and prepare our land for planting. I am grateful to GiveDirectly."

"I have three children in secondary school, and raising their fees has been a significant challenge, especially for the one in Form Four, where a zero balance is required. The accumulated arrears stood at $790. To meet these expenses, I rely heavily on crop and livestock farming, which has been manageable in previous years. However, I lost three acres of seed maize this year to floods, which would have helped clear the fees. As a result, I had to sell 14 goats and sheep, leaving me with only the young ones. When I received my second transfer, I decided to commit the entire amount to school fees, ensuring that my children’s education continued uninterrupted. I have planted an acre and a half of beans, and with a successful harvest, I will use the proceeds to clear the remaining balance."

"GiveDirectly has truly made a remarkable impact by providing unconditional cash to the needy, which is a rare opportunity for people in our community. It's not often that you receive such a substantial amount without the obligation of paying it back. The fact that the enrollment process was free and fair, without any influence from community leaders, demonstrates the organization's commitment to transparency and equality. The officers handled everything independently, which ensured that everyone who was truly in need got the support they deserved. GiveDirectly is doing an incredible job, and their approach is effective, and there is no area of improvement that I would recommend. May God bless their efforts as they continue to uplift more communities."

"I am a farmer, and this is my main source of income. However, in the past, I planted crops without considering several important factors, like market demand, because I didn't have the necessary irrigation equipment. As a result, I limited myself to short-cycle crops and those that required little water. Now that I have bought a generator, I am planning to expand my farming operations. I used to plant only on 1 to 1.5 acres, despite having a larger tract of land, but with the generator, I plan to increase this to over 3 acres. I also intend to be more strategic in choosing which crops to plant, focusing on marketable and profitable varieties. To achieve this, I will use my final transfer to cover the expansion costs and undergo farmer training to help me acquire new skills and become a more professional farmer, better equipped to succeed in the future."

"Beside crop farming, with the challenges I have experienced through droughts and floods, I am planning to invest more in goats. Unlike crops, goats do well and are not affected as much by climate shocks, making them a more reliable source of income. This investment will help me address important needs like school fees for my children and daily household expenses. Additionally, the goats will provide a steady milk supply for my family, reducing the need to buy milk. To reach my goal, I plan to save money from charcoal production and use part of my final transfer to purchase at least ten goats."

"I am a fisherman and for the longest time I have been using a hand made canoe to fish. Recently, the water levels in the lake have risen making it difficult to manuvour hence a reduction in the quantity. Also, getting raw materials for making a bigger one has been hindered by floods. This has greatly reduced the amount of money I earn hence hindering my plans."

"The biggest difference in my life since receiving the $200 from GiveDirectly is the joy and relief it has brought to my family. Before this support, I was overwhelmed by the stress of not being able to pay my children's school fees, which led to them being sent home. Knowing that I could now use this money to get them back to school has filled me with hope and a sense of purpose. This financial assistance has not only eased my worries but has also allowed my children to continue their education, which is something I deeply value. I am incredibly grateful for GiveDirectly's help, as it has transformed our situation and brought a new sense of stability to our lives."