As a parent, my top priority in the coming year and beyond is to ensure a successful transition for my child from primary to secondary school. This is a significant milestone in his education, and I am committed to providing all the necessary support to help him achieve his academic goals. Although I have aspirations of starting a new retail business, I understand that securing my child's education should come first. To achieve this, I have two acres of beans that I rely on as a crucial source of income. The proceeds from the bean harvest will not only cover my child's school fees but also provide the financial foundation I need to kick-start my retail business venture. This dual goal represents my dedication to both my child's future and my own entrepreneurial dreams. Therefore, I am determined to work tirelessly to make these aspirations a reality.

Having witnessed and personally experienced the positive impact of GiveDirectly since its inception, I can attest to the transformative power of its support. By providing support in the form of cash, they enabled us to address various urgent needs, from paying for school fees to acquiring livestock and even improving our living conditions, such as connecting piped water to my doorstep. What stood out was the unbiased and fair manner in which the support was provided; there was no need for us to struggle or pay back anything. GiveDirectly's commitment to delivering aid impartially is commendable. In my opinion, they should extend their exemplary work to new locations, ensuring that people everywhere receive the support they need, ultimately changing their lives for the better. The organization's approach has proven effective, and expanding it to more communities would undoubtedly make a meaningful difference.

Receiving the second transfer from GiveDirectly was a great relief for my family. It provided us with an opportunity to address some pressing needs. First, I allocated $300 for my son's education, specifically to cover his transition to secondary school in January. With him being in Grade 8 and preparing for his final exams, I wanted to ensure that he had all the necessary fees and supplies for a seamless start to his secondary education. I have every confidence that he has the potential to excel in his studies. In addition, I spent $50 on a sack of maize, which is a staple for my family of six. We use it for sustenance and potential income generation through surplus sales. To improve our living conditions, I invested $30 in household goods, including toiletries and kitchenware, and purchased a new mattress for $20, replacing the old one. I also spent $10 on transportation costs to bring all these purchases home. Lastly, I utilized the remaining amount to cover labor charges on my farm, which enhanced our agricultural productivity. I am grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has helped us to address some of our most pressing needs and improve our quality of life.

I'm now interested in learning how to keep livestock, specifically goats. They are relatively affordable as compared to bulls, and I hope they can resist the tough climate in our area. Additionally, I learned from the research that their markets are readily available and they are in high demand. So from next month, I'll start making purchases to take up this outstanding mission. Once I'm successful, I won't have to worry about struggling to pay for my children's tuition and ensure that everyone in the family is taken care of by selling one or two in case of financial emergencies.

I do appreciate the efforts GiveDirectly has made to make sure that they end poverty by offering us unconditional cash transfers. Personally, my life has been better ever since I started receiving the money, and I can't thank them enough. I can comfortably provide food for my family without any struggle and cater to any emergency that occurs with ease. I, therefore, do not suggest anything to change, even as they walk out of our village.

Every night, my firstborn son—who is unemployed—would move from one neighbourhood to another in search of a place to sleep. As his mother, I had to endure restless nights because, although being a teenager, he was still in my care. Because of the tiny size of our family compound, I thus choose to buy him a plot with the second transfer so that he can start a family and enjoy the privacy he deserves. For now, we are working to raise more money so that we can build a new structure for him. Additionally, one of the issues I deal with is food insecurity; I spent $146 on food, which took us a month. Additionally, I was able to purchase water pipes because I intended to install fresh tap water in my compound. The cost was $40. Being used for domestic and agricultural motives will be a relief. At first, it was difficult since we had to go far away to get water. I will be able to practice irrigation for the moment. After finishing that, I spent $20 on maize seedlings, which I successfully planted on a half-acre plot. One of my five children had also been expelled for unpaid tuition, so I paid the $20 arrear to allow her to finish her studies. My wife and I don't have a stable income, and sometimes we just make $3 a day, which is insufficient to sustain our family, therefore I am convinced that she could still be at home by now.

The day I received my transfer is etched in my memory. I had gone to the stream to collect water when a sudden buzz interrupted the serenity. Curiosity got the better of me, and I checked my phone, only to find a text message illuminating the screen, confirming that I had been blessed with funds from GiveDirectly. Unable to contain my excitement, I hurried home, bursting with joy, to share the incredible news with my husband. His elation mirrored mine, for he knew that his dreams were about to come true. I cannot express enough gratitude for the unwavering support we have received.

The biggest difference in my life at present is the fact that my children are attending school and learning in a comfortable environment, all thanks to the clearance of their tuition fees. Additionally, I have been able to stock an ample supply of food, which has rescued my family from the challenges of hunger we previously faced due to financial limitations. The sense of happiness and contentment I derive from these achievements has significantly reduced my stress levels.

My spouse and I work as farmers, and we have been fortunate to have seven children. Upon receiving the transfer, my immediate concern was to allocate $60 towards clearing my son's outstanding secondary school fees. The accumulated arrears had become a burden, as our financial circumstances didn't allow us to settle them all at once. After taking care of the educational expenses, I proceeded to purchase food supplies worth $93, ensuring that our family would have enough to eat and sparing us the distress of going to bed on empty stomachs. I also allocated $10 for medical treatment and another $10 to buy clothes for my children. The benevolence displayed by the organization is something I will forever cherish and deeply appreciate.