"I remember the day when I received the unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly. It was a lifeline for me and my family. The first thing I did was invest in renovating our house. Termites had destroyed the poles, leaving them unsafe and vulnerable. I bought 10 bags of cement for $70 and building blocks for $140, to make the structure firm and secure once again. Hiring a contractor cost me $120, but it was worth it to ensure the safety of my loved ones. With some of the remaining money, I paid off a debt of $25 at a local shop. They had been kind enough to extend credit to me when times were tough, and I was grateful to settle the debt to maintain my trustworthiness. The rest of the money went towards buying food for my family. We had been struggling due to the prolonged drought, and this support allowed us to have regular meals and ease our worries about where the next meal would come from. Currently, I am thinking about using a portion of the remaining funds to start a small investment that could generate additional income for us in the future. It is time to think beyond being solely reliant on farming, especially when unpredictable weather patterns made it increasingly difficult to make ends meet. The cash transfer had given me a glimpse of hope and the opportunity to create a more stable future for my family."

"I was lying in bed, feeling unwell when I heard the familiar sound of a message notification on my phone. Unable to read or write, I called upon my helper to assist me in deciphering the message. As she translated the words, I discovered that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly a generous sum of $550. Relief and joy washed over me, dispelling the doubts that had lingered in my mind. Now, like the others who had received assistance before me, I could dare to dream and hope for a brighter future."

"My ambition was to own some livestock, such as goats, but I could not afford to buy them myself. Furthermore, I was unable to use the transfer to purchase goats because even purchasing food has been difficult in my household in recent years. As a result, my transfer was primarily for food. I recently managed to cultivate my acreage since the weather was favourable, and I expect a good harvest. This will solve the problem of food scarcity and allow me to redirect the transfer to the purchase of goats. Because I am not working, I can rely on the goats for financial assistance, such as raising school fees for my children. Owning goats is the most important goal that I hope to accomplish in the coming year and beyond."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband does casual jobs and I am just a house wife. He earns approximately $40 which caters for food and school fees. He sometimes miss job and that result to the family going without food."

"Housing is the problem I am currently facing in life. I divorced my husband ten years ago and took the burden of raising my four children. I do casual jobs earning $20 per month which caters for food and school fees. I lack the capacity to build a spacious house for the family."

"I have been suffering from ulcers for years now. I have getting medication from the nearby hospital but still in vain. I can not engage myself on hard activities nowadays. This is the challenge I am currently facing in life."

"The livestock that i bought will give me what i want in the future lsuch as food and money. I also hope to live in my full house which have all necessities like kitchen and house for my livestock"

"We were so lonely and we thought that we were useless but GD thought about us and showed us that we can reach somewhere. I don't see anything bad that GD has done everything was good"

"We hope to buy livestock like cow and pigs so that we can get money form them that will help us in our daily lives"

"During a time of great hunger and desperation, an unexpected lifeline arrived, bringing forth a glimmer of hope. It was an opportunity to address my greatest challenge, a chance to prioritize the well-being of my children and make their dreams come true. And for that, I am eternally grateful to GiveDirectly. The transfers came at a time when our struggles were at their peak. It brought much needed relief and allowed us to focus on what truly mattered. With the support we received, we were able to provide our children with a good home, a dream that had seemed unattainable for so long. The weight of hunger lifted from our shoulders, replaced by renewed hope and the opportunity to create a brighter future. We seized the chance with gratitude in our hearts, determined to make the most of this newfound stability. Seeing our children happy and secure in their new home was the greatest gift we could ever ask for."