"The assistance from GiveDirectly has been an incredible blessing in my life. It has given me financial independence, allowing me to pay my children's school fees and buy enough food for my family without constantly worrying. The unconditional nature of the transfer has been a true relief, and it gave me the freedom to use the funds in the way that best suits our needs. Honestly, I can't think of anything they didn’t do well. I am forever grateful for the support they have given us."

"Since I started receiving support from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life has been the relief from constantly taking on exhausting odd jobs to make ends meet. Before, I struggled to cover my bills and my children’s school fees, always worrying about how to make it work. Now, with the help from GiveDirectly, I don’t have to push myself so hard. The money has allowed me to focus on my family and other important things, knowing my bills are paid, and my children’s education is taken care of. I am truly grateful for this support, which has brought so much peace into my life."

"I used $100 to buy a metal door and installed it in my house, as I had been using a curtain as a door. I felt the security of my house was compromised, and my belongings were at risk of being stolen, as anyone could easily enter. Now, I feel much more secure because I have a proper door with a lock, allowing me to leave the house without worrying about someone stealing my things, unlike before when it was very risky. Later, I also bought two ducks for $12, which I am raising at home. They will help me in the long run because if I ever have a financial emergency, I can sell them to cover the necessary expenses. Before, I had no livestock, and it was difficult to manage during emergencies. With the $420, I bought food, as I used to eat only once a day. After receiving the cash support, we now eat three meals a day. My charcoal business has not been doing well lately, which has sometimes made it difficult for us to have enough food. This situation used to worry me, especially when I couldn't provide enough for my two children."

"My husband and I both work casual jobs, such as burning and selling charcoal, where we earn around $1 per day. However, some days we don't make that amount due to the fluctuating number of customers in the market. This situation has made it difficult to provide for my family's basic needs, such as paying school fees for my three children and buying daily meals. It has been especially hard for my eldest daughter, who is currently in Form 2. She used to stay home for weeks, crying because she feared she might drop out of school due to unpaid fees. As for food, we had been surviving on just one meal a day, which affected our productivity as a family and left us weak. When I received some cash, I used $150 to pay for my daughter's school fees so she could return to her studies without interruption. Now, she’s all set, and for the remaining few months of the year, she won’t be sent home again due to arrears. Additionally, I spent $289 to buy enough food to last us for a while, ensuring that we no longer go to bed hungry. I also used $111 to buy three goats, which I am now raising with the hope of growing my herd quickly. These goats will provide much-needed support for my children's well-being, especially in their educational journey."

"I used the cash transfer to buy three goats, each costing $60. Goats are easier to manage, and I saw them as a good investment. At the time, sheep were quite expensive, but I decided to buy mature ones because they would give me a quicker return. I already had two sheep, and I added three more to make a total of five. I planned to milk them once they gave birth since I had been spending too much on buying milk from the market. Cows seemed like an obvious option for milk, but they’re costly to maintain, and I didn’t want to take on that burden. Sheep, on the other hand, are easier to feed and manage, especially in our area. I hoped that having more sheep would reduce our dependence on store-bought milk and help us cut down on daily expenses. I’ve always wanted a more sustainable way to meet my family’s needs, and this seemed like a practical solution. Now, one of the sheep has started giving milk, and it’s already making a difference. "

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two plastic chairs for $15. I had lost everything in the floods and didn’t even have a place to sit. Moving to a safer area was necessary, but it left me starting from scratch. Next, I spent $45 on a bed since I had been sleeping on the cold floor, which was difficult and uncomfortable. I also used $20 to pay for labor to harvest the maize on my farm. I couldn’t afford to lose the crop, especially after all the work I put into it, and paying for help ensured everything was collected in time. With $40, I placed a deposit on a small piece of land in Lororok. Owning land there has been a dream of mine, and this is my first step toward making it real. The remaining amount went toward buying household food. It was a relief to finally have enough to eat without constantly worrying. This cash has given me more than just items—it has restored a sense of stability and hope."

"When I got the cash from GiveDirectly, the first thing I did was lease half an acre of land. We already had seedlings lying around, but we had no place to plant them, so the money came at the perfect time. Now that the vegetables are growing, it feels like we finally have a plan in motion. We’re excited because, with a good harvest, the farm will bring us some extra income, which we need. Before the transfer, we were mainly relying on my husband’s small charcoal business, but it wasn’t always enough. Now, with the farm, we have something to look forward to, a way to diversify our income."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a lifeline, especially after the floods destroyed most of what we had. First, I bought a goat for $65. Milk has become too expensive to buy daily, so once the goat starts producing, I’ll be able to get milk from it and save money. I also bought a mattress and a bed for $66. The floods ruined my old one, and I had been sleeping on a mat, which was uncomfortable. Now, at least I can sleep better at night. I used $13 to buy new cooking pots since the water carried away most of my kitchen items. I also had been unwell, so I went to the hospital and used $15 for the necessary medication. With the money, I bought enough food items for the household and made sure to leave enough for my husband, who is elderly. He must have milk daily, so this will help while we still have to buy it."

"It was a normal day for me. I was on my farm harvesting maize with my wife and sister when, at around 3 p.m., I heard a message come in. Upon checking, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I called my wife aside to share the news with her, and I could see the joy in her eyes. We knew that we could finally speed up our maize harvesting by hiring labor."

"A few months ago, I had my own house, but after the floods, I was left homeless when our home was swept away. I had no option but to seek temporary shelter while figuring out what to do next. Luckily, a neighbor offered me her house to stay in with my four children. Receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly relieved my stress, and I couldn't think of anything but constructing a new house. I bought eight iron sheets for $82, and the transport cost from town for these iron sheets was $10. I found a plot where I plan to pay a deposit of $200 with my second transfer and clear the rest later; with the balance, I will buy the remaining materials and continue construction. Additionally, our clothes were worn out, and I couldn't afford to buy for everyone, so I purchased clothes for my husband and my three children, which cost $40. Food was another issue; currently, I am unwell and can’t do heavy work, and my husband has two wives. I spent a total of $30 on food and paid $8 toward a debt we had at the shop where we had taken food items on credit. Thank you, GiveDirectly."