"Having five children, paying their school fees has been a great burden for me, especially since I've been unemployed for the past two years and have been relying on small casual jobs that pay very little. My two eldest children are now in secondary school, and the total cost of their school fees is $800 for the entire year, which is a huge amount that requires a stable source of income to pay. Additionally, there are exercise books and textbooks that need to be purchased to support their learning in school. My three other children are in primary school and still owe a debt of $25 that I have not yet paid. My goal for this year is to use the money from my transfer to pay at least part of the debt my children have at school, creating a good environment for them where they won't be sent home because of fee arrears. This will motivate them to learn, work, and go to school, ensuring they have a good future."

"Due to the dilapidated condition of my house, I am concerned about the safety of my family. The walls are constructed of mud and the polls have weakened over time, causing the house to lean to one side. Unfortunately, I am unable to construct a new house due to my financial state. Instead, I want to focus on farming to provide food for my family. If I am able to harvest enough, I hope to allocate funds towards building a new, sturdy house to accommodate all of my family members. However, my current financial situation only allows for basic daily needs, leaving no room for home repairs or construction."

"Previously, I relied on my relatives for financial assistance to purchase essential items, including food, before receiving my monthly stipend. However, I have since started a small business selling vegetables and silver cyprinids, which has enabled me to become financially self-sufficient. As a result, I am pleased with my progress and intend to invest my upcoming stipend in farming to increase my food supply. Furthermore, I am interested in expanding into livestock farming and plan to grow my herd before entering the livestock industry and generating additional income. With multiple streams of revenue, I will achieve financial stability and be able to meet all of my needs."

"I bought plank, assorted nails and four bags of cement to complete my house."

"I invested my last transfer in my farm."

"For years, I have been staying in a semi-permanent house that was small and stuffy with poor ventilation. Apart from that, it used to leak whenever it could rain, which forced my family of nine to squeeze in one corner of the house till the rain stopped. Sometimes I had to seek shelter from neighbors, especially for my two young children, who could not persevere with the harsh weather conditions. Therefore, upon receiving the cash, I decided to buy all the necessary building materials, which included ironsheets,timber, poles, and nails, which all cost around $450. I am now a happy father for finally being able to shelter in a decent house without any trouble. Also, I purchased two goats worthy of $50. I bought them purposefully for my eight children as soon as they would be transitioning to higher institutions since they are now in primary school. I am hoping that by the time they will be graduating, they will have increased in number, which will be a major support considering that I have been jobless and my elder son has been picking up all the family roles. I finally bought food with the remaining cash and decent clothes for my wife and children. They now look decent, which has boosted their self-esteem."

"Being jobless has brought back all the challenges that I have been through for twenty years. One being that I have always delayed paying fees for my four children, who are in grades three, five, and six, respectively. Therefore, they have been in school for some countable days since the beginning of this year. This has dragged them behind academically, which I thought they would eventually drop out of. As a mother, I have felt the pain of seeing them miss classes regularly, which has been the worst experience. My spouse, who relied on odd jobs( earning $2 a day), could hardly cover all the family's basic needs. Getting the daily meal was sometimes not easy, let alone the school fees. I am now thankful to GiveDirectly for coming into my life at the time that I needed their aid, because if it were not for them, my children would still be at home with this rising cost of living. I am convinced that their future will be greener, hence eradicating poverty levels. "

"One of the most significant changes in my daily life has been the ability to pay for my son's college education, which was previously challenging due to financial limitations caused by unstable sources of income. Additionally, I used the transfer from GiveDirectly to purchase food supplies that will last for an extended period. I am forever grateful for this gift, which has transformed my life and given me hope for a brighter future."

"I was overwhelmed with happiness when my grandson informed me that I had received a cash transfer from GiveDirectly. It was 4 p.m. and I was sitting outside my house, trying to escape the heat inside. I couldn't believe it because I had never experienced such a generous act before. The support I received came at a crucial time during the drought season and has greatly improved my life. I am incredibly grateful for this assistance."

"I was taking a break at home after a tiring chore from the previous day when my phone rang. It was a pleasant surprise to discover that I had received money from GiveDirectly, and it instantly lifted my spirits. Excitedly, I shared the wonderful news with a friend who shared my happiness. With newfound enthusiasm, I eagerly began planning how to utilize the funds."