"With the cash transfer, I finally saw a chance to make long-needed changes at home. I used $180 to buy building materials for a store—a plan I’d kept pushing aside because of the constant demands of school fees. As a teacher with four children to support, I’ve been managing alone since my husband passed away four years ago. Despite my income, finding extra funds was nearly impossible, especially for things beyond daily needs. The store had been a priority, but it always felt out of reach. Getting this money allowed me to make it a reality, giving us a safe place to store supplies.Furthermore, I spent the rest of the funds on food for my family. With my teaching salary often stretched to its limits, we’ve frequently struggled to have enough. My children deserve regular, nourishing meals, but meeting that need had been difficult on my income alone. Now, I feel a sense of relief knowing we have enough to last us for a while without me having to worry about where our next meal will come from.This support has eased my worries in so many ways. Knowing that we now have a proper store and a steady supply of food brings a deep sense of stability to our lives. I’m grateful beyond words for this opportunity because it has helped me provide more security and comfort for my family. Now, I can focus on other priorities, like ensuring my children get the best education I can give them."

"For the coming years and beyond, I want to invest fully in farming, both in crops and livestock rearing. I see this as the best way to secure food for my family and ensure my children can stay in school without interruption. By growing crops, I’ll be able to provide for our daily needs and, hopefully, sell any surplus for extra income. Raising livestock will give us a safety net, as they can be sold if unexpected expenses arise. My goal is to create a stable source of support through farming, one that we can rely on as my children grow. This way, I can give them the education I didn’t have and build a stronger future for our family."

"GiveDirectly excels in its approach to enrollment by actively engaging with communities. During the community meetings, officers took the time to explain the program in detail, ensuring that everyone understood the process and its benefits. Although the cash transfers are unconditional, the organization provided valuable education on wise spending, guiding us to avoid using the funds for illegal items like firearms. This emphasis on responsible financial management has enabled recipients to allocate the money effectively toward their diverse needs. I believe that GiveDirectly’s current mode of operation is highly effective, and there are no areas for improvement."

"Receiving my second transfer was a huge relief. My son, who is in college, had accumulated $870 in school fee arrears, and I knew I needed to address this issue first. I spent $300 from the transfer on his fees and added $150 from my savings, earned through charcoal production and crop farming. I plan to clear the remaining arrears with the profits I hope to generate from my crop farming. In addition to my son's fees, I spent $16 on exams for my five children in elementary school, as I believe education is crucial for their future. To further support my farming, I decided to invest in livestock by buying an additional goat for $60. Goats have been a reliable source of support over the years, as selling them has allowed me to meet various needs, including school fees and food expenses. Lastly, I allocated the remaining $64 for food, which had become a challenge after losing my maize crop to floods. I purchased maize and ensured a balanced diet for my family by buying other essentials like beans. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Unlike many other NGOs, GiveDirectly offers their support to everyone in the targeted location. This inclusive approach promotes community development as we witness tangible improvements in our village. Furthermore, the education on wise spending that accompanies the cash transfers has empowered us to utilize the funds effectively, ensuring that we invest in our families and futures without misusing the money. The organization's approach is commendable, as it also allows us to make decisions that best suit our needs. Overall, I believe that GiveDirectly should continue its successful model and expand its reach to support even more people, as the positive impact on our lives is evident. I have not identified any area for improvement."

"Next year, my goal is to use future transfers to help pay school fees, buy more school supplies, and purchase food. I am determined to complete my studies and go on to study teaching in college. Teaching is something I am passionate about, and I am excited to pursue it as a career. This financial support has brought me closer to my dream of becoming a teacher. I am so thankful for the opportunity to continue my education with fewer financial worries."

"Since I depend on goat farming, I need to plant some grass. Will spend the first transfer of $200 to fence my two acre piece of land. $100 is enough to plant grass. The grass can also be sold to others. It will provide me with an extra source of income. Seeds collected from the grass are sold and can fetch me some additional money. Once the other transfer is sent, I plan to buy a cow. A cow goes for about $300. The cow will feed on the grass and also multiply. I will be able to get more milk for tea or even to sell. I have children in school, plan to use the rest of the transfer on their education. They are in college, secondary and primary. The transfer will be of immense importance, I'm really grateful to Givedirectly."

"I am planning to continue with farming because I want my children to keep going to school. Their education is very important to me, and farming is what helps me support them. I also hope to buy a small plot of land, just a 50 by 100. To raise the money to buy this land, I will keep farming maize and beans, and I'll sell them to earn what I need. We really need to move because, every time it rains, our place floods. Having that new plot would mean a safer, better place for my family."

"I want to make sure we have enough food by planting maize on the two acres of land we own. My husband will go out fishing, and with the money he earns, we'll be able to plough the land and buy seeds for planting. After we harvest, I hope we'll have some extra maize. The plan is to sell the surplus, and with that money, I want to buy ten goats as an investment. I have three children in school, and I know that emergencies can come up. If that happens, I can sell a goat or two to cover any urgent school fees. This way, I feel we'll be more secure, with both food and a backup plan for my children’s education."

"I build mud houses and repair bicycles to earn a living, but these jobs provide only a small income, making it difficult to meet all of my family's needs. To improve my financial situation, I decided to invest my transfers from GiveDirectly in livestock. Livestock is a great investment for the future because they multiply, giving me something valuable to sell during emergencies. If my children need school fees, I can sell some of the livestock to cover their education costs. I spent $58 to purchase two goats, bringing my total number of goats to ten. I'm very happy and grateful for the financial support, which has helped me reach this milestone of owning more goats. I also spent $34 to plow my land in preparation for planting, but unfortunately, the rains didn’t come, making it a failed investment. Despite this setback, I'm hopeful that the rains will return soon, and I will be able to plant crops on my farm. I am very grateful for the financial support from Give Directly in ensuring that I own a lot of livestock."