"Now that I am back home and unable to work due to my health, I plan to start livestock farming again. Unfortunately, the animals I previously acquired died because they didn’t receive the care they needed while I was away. Before diving into livestock farming, I want to focus on serious crop farming when the rains come. I intend to use a portion of my transfers for this purpose, aiming for good harvests that will sustain us until the next planting season, so we won’t have to rely on buying food. Once we have a stable food supply, I will redirect the money I was spending on food toward purchasing goats and turkeys. My hope is that these animals will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of income and resources in the future when this program comes to an end."

"Moment  I was at home washing dishes after we had finished our lunch when I suddenly heard a message come through on my phone. I picked it up to check, and to my surprise, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I immediately prayed and thanked God for the blessings. I felt so happy because I knew that my worries about school fees for my children in high school and university were finally over. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I was in the hospital, looking after my daughter, who was unwell and had just been admitted. When I received the message from GiveDirectly, I couldn't read it myself. I asked my daughter to check for me, and she confirmed I had received my first transfer. I felt so overwhelmed with joy. I immediately called Tracy, my helper, and asked her to come the next day to help me withdraw the money. I knew that finally I could help my daughter with her hospital bills and make sure she got the care she needed."

"The biggest difference in my life after receiving my first transfer from GiveDirectly is the ability to purchase plastic chairs. Before, I only had one old and broken chair, and whenever visitors came, I had to borrow chairs from my neighbors. I still remember the day I heard that GiveDirectly officers were in our village for enrollment; I rushed to borrow chairs from my neighbor, feeling embarrassed each time. My prayer has always been to have enough chairs for my family and guests, and I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for making this a reality. Now, I can host visitors comfortably without worrying about borrowing, and it brings me so much joy."

"I am a farmer, and when I received my first transfer from GiveDirectly, I decided to plant green grams and beans in my kitchen garden. I had many needs, but I knew that if I spent the money all at once, I would run out quickly, so I chose to think about tomorrow instead. I spent $50 on seeds, land preparation, and planting my beans and green grams because, with the success of these crops, we wouldn't have to worry about food in the future. Additionally, I bought an improved breed of male chicken for $10 because I only had female chickens, and this rooster would help with reproduction. I spent $20 on household items, such as cooking pots and utensils, and another $20 on food items like maize and sugar, as we had run out of stock at the time I received my transfer. Finally, I set aside $100 for my son, who is in college, to ensure he has fees for the next semester. His education is my priority, and seeing him in college is my pride as a mother."

"Last term, my three children in elementary school ended with arrears of $65 each, and honestly, I was overwhelmed by the thought of handling that alongside the upcoming term's fees. As a businesswoman, I relied solely on my second-hand clothing business to meet all our family's needs, including school fees, and I knew I would not manage to raise that amount. However, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, I lifted that heavy weight off my shoulders and reduced their arrears to $15 each. This support also boosted my business, increasing my sales significantly, which allowed me to clear the outstanding fees, including those for this term. Thank you, GiveDirectly; if it were not for your help, I honestly don’t know what I would have done."

"I was in my kiosk with my two children, waiting for a customer, when I heard the notification sound on my phone. Curious, I checked it, and to my surprise, I saw I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I quickly shared the good news with my friend, who had also received her transfer. My first thought was to improve my kiosk by adding more stock. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Receiving the cash transfer felt like a lifeline for my family and me. I quickly used $70 to pay my daughter’s school fees, which had been a huge source of stress for me. It was difficult to keep up with her expenses, and I was worried about her education. I used to do casual jobs while also managing my own farming to cover these school fee expenses. Furthermore, I paid off $72 in debt to the local shop where I had been borrowing food supplies. My wife occasionally helps by providing groceries from her business in town, but managing all our needs was still challenging.I also gave my wife $58 to help her buy more stock for her grocery business. This investment will help her serve our community better and provide for our family’s needs. I have three children, and supporting them requires careful budgeting and planning.Thanks to GiveDirectly, I could address these essential needs without feeling overwhelmed. This financial support not only relieved my burden but also gave my wife the opportunity to grow her business. Now, I feel more hopeful about our future, knowing that we can meet our children’s educational needs and manage our daily expenses with greater ease. I am truly grateful for the help that has made such a significant difference in our lives."

"Before I received the transfer, I was filled with stress and anxiety about how to pay my son's university rent. I constantly worried about where to find the money, and I was reluctant to sell my goat, knowing it could be an important investment for the future. I felt overwhelmed and unsure about how to manage all my expenses. However, once the cash transfer came through, everything changed. I could pay the rent without needing to sell my goat, which lifted a significant weight off my shoulders. Now, I can concentrate on supporting my family and running my farm instead of being consumed by financial worries. This transfer has truly transformed my life for the better."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a ray of hope during a difficult time. I used $160 to pay for the university fees of my two daughters, which had been stressing me out. Their fees were huge, and to cover them, I had to sell three cows and some goats, in addition to the money from GiveDirectly. The floods had already swept away my two acres of maize, adding to my struggles. However, thanks to GiveDirectly, I was able to meet my daughters' educational needs, and for that, I am truly grateful.Furthermore, I used $40 to buy food for my family. Although my grocery business could provide some food, this extra amount helped ensure we wouldn't go hungry. My husband is a polygamous man, and sometimes it is hard for him to support me fully, but he managed to contribute a little toward the fees. With five people in my family to care for, the financial burden can be heavy, but the cash transfer made a big difference.Now, I feel a sense of relief knowing my daughters can continue their education without interruption. The support from GiveDirectly has given me hope and made life a bit easier during these challenging times. I am thankful for this assistance, as it has helped me prioritize my family's needs while managing our everyday expenses."