"The family has been having food issues for quite long due to lack of reliable source of income. We take one meal per day. However, on 1st 2023, I slaughter three chickens for the family to celebrate after seeing a new year. The gift of life was a worthy celebration despite the food challenges we have had for the year."

"The unconditional transfers I received from GiveDirectly are one thing that has enabled me to be where I am today. I was able to purchase ten chickens with the help of the monthly transfers and I am currently praying for them to hatch so that I can sell them and buy more goats. With the goats, I can sell them for more money and alter my family's entire economic structure. I am extremely grateful to GiveDirectly for everything."

"To generate income, my husband and I burn and sell charcoal. We put a lot of effort into giving our four children the best life they deserve. Two of my kids are in primary school right now, while the other two are in secondary. The moment I received my transfers, I spent $15 to go buy a brand-new uniform for my primary school aged child because the one she had was worn out. Her school uniform was often the target of jokes from other students, which made her feel unconfident about attending class. She was genuinely delighted when I got her a brand new uniform and I also intend to do the same for the other children so that they won't feel left out. Seeing all of my children smiling and happy makes me feel proud and to brighten their day, I spent $2 for a soft drink and $5 on food and it made them so happy. It's been a while since I saw my children that happy and talk with a smile on their faces. The remaining amount of $12 I bought two chicken each at $6. I want to buy as many chicken as possible so that I can sell them and get enough profit."

"The next day after I received the transfer my three children were sent out of school to collect pending school fee balances. So, I paid $20 and they were able to resume classes and they have never been sent to date. Next, I spent $9 on a piece of iron sheet, in preparation to build a new house for my family since the current one is almost collapsing. I need to build a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof. I would be glad if I constructed the new structure before the rainy season kicks in. The remaining amount went towards food as the household had run out of maize flour. In January, I paid $18 for iron sheets,  bought three chickens worth $12, and the remaining went towards food. From the December transfer, I channeled $20 toward iron sheets and $4 toward a hen, and $10 for food for the Christmas celebration. "

"Lack of money has made it challenging for me to accomplish anything beyond my family’s basic needs. My wish is to own livestock like goats and chickens, that I can sell in the future to cover the school fees of my children. I would be happy if I owned at least three goats at the end of this year. I believe when these animals reproduce and grow the herd, they will allow me to support my household’s essentials even after the cash transfers cease. "

"I am a casual worker and I do not make much from casual work. I can make $5 a day and spend the rest of the week without work and that makes it difficult to pay school fees for my children. I have seven children in school who depend on me and my husband who does a small business of selling groundnuts in the city to take care of their education. My plan this year is to use this transfers to ensure my children get an education. I also want to buy a number of chicken that I can sell and afford to buy goats. I also want to ensure my family is well fed this year which I hope to achieve by this transfers."

"I did not have a bed and mattress, my bed had broke and my mattress was badly torn. In December I spent $20 and got a new bed and January I spent $20 and got a mattress. I have also been able to but a few animals using my transfers, I bought two chicken in December at $10, 3 chicken in January one at $3.5 and two at $5, I also bought 1 chicken in February at $3. I bought a goat in February at $32. I was also able to pay school fees in December at $4."

"I used to ride a motorcycle taxi but I got into an accident and broke one my arms which is not working even now. I am doing casual jobs to survive. I am a father of four and my family depends on me since I am the first born. I would like this year to become an animal keeper since for me animals are a profitable business. I want to buy goats and chicken that will reproduce and increase in number so I can sell them and take care of my family. I will also be able to sustain myself even with my broken arm if I get this animals."

"In December I got my first goat through GD transfers at $30, I have also bought chicken as well as guinea fowls. In January I got 3 chicken at $9 and in February I got 2 cocks at $10, I also got two guinea fowls for $6 in February. I was also able to send my kids who had been home due to lack of school fees back to school by paying for each $5 to cover their school fees debts. My family has also had food since I have used a portion of each months transfer on food, in December I used $4 for food, in January I used $10 and in February I used $12 for food."

"I am very thankful for GD transfers as they have been a big help in facilitating my children to go to school. In December I used $20 for my form four child to settle his school fees arrears, I also paid for him $10 in January for his exams. I had another of my children who had cleared class eight join form one where I used my February transfers to get him school uniform at $13.50, a bag for school at $6, a badge for the school at $1.5 and shoes at $5. I also cleared the fee balance at his primary school so we could get his papers. I was also able to clear entry exam fees for my children in class 6 and class 4. In December the transfers also bought the food we had during the festivities at $10 and I bought a chicken for rearing $4."