"Recognizing the dire condition of my house, especially its leaking roof, I decided to take action. Utilizing a short-term solution of covering the roof with a polythene bag proved ineffective, prompting me to allocate funds towards purchasing new building materials for a new house. I earmarked $60 for the acquisition of two pieces of iron sheets, a step towards addressing the structural issues. Gratefully, I've managed to procure a total of 18 iron sheets thus far, sufficient to cover the entire roof of the new dwelling I intend to construct. With the remaining $42, I opted to allocate it entirely to purchasing food, ensuring that my family's nutritional needs are met. As a casual laborer, relying on income from motorcycle taxi services, generating sufficient funds for essential needs, let alone house construction, has been challenging. Daily earnings have dwindled from $5 to a mere $2, exacerbating financial strain and impeding savings. However, the financial aid from Give Directly offers a beacon of hope, instilling confidence in my ability to realize the dream of a secure and comfortable home." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to expand my livestock farming. I plan to grow my herd of goats and eventually exchange them for a cow. With one cow being equivalent to eight goats, I aim to carefully manage my herd so that when the time comes for exchange, I'll still have a substantial number of goats for reproduction. This strategy not only increases the value of my livestock but also ensures a sustainable source of income. The high market value of goats will facilitate the smooth funding of my children's education through secondary school without putting excessive strain on our resources. By strategically investing in livestock, I aim to secure a brighter future for my family, where education is not just a dream but a reachable goal." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"As a motorcycle taxi driver, making ends meet proved to be quite challenging due to the limited income from this job. Despite having numerous income-generating ideas, the lack of sufficient capital hindered their realization. However, upon enrollment in the program, I found immense relief. In the initial three months of receiving transfers, I managed to resume and complete the construction of my house, which had previously stalled due to financial constraints. Subsequently, I ventured into poultry farming, leveraging the income generated from rearing hens to supplement my earnings from motorcycle riding. To ensure the continuity of my poultry business, I invested $34 in purchasing 10 additional chicks and another $34 in acquiring two sacks of animal feed to support their growth. Unfortunately, an outbreak of Newcastle disease resulted in the loss of 20 hens. To mitigate further losses, I made the decision to sell the remaining 30 hens. Additionally, I allocated $15 towards purchasing food and $19 for acquiring new pairs of clothes. Overall, I am immensely grateful for the financial support, which has significantly improved my living conditions and provided opportunities for income diversification." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"My plan is to purchase cows, both dairy and ploughing bulls using the GiveDirectly transfers. My goal is to sell the milk and rent out the bulls for ploughing to generate income. Although I initially intended to use the transfers to start a driving course, unforeseen circumstances, such as the loss of my Mother and my wife falling ill, altered my plans. However, I remain hopeful that things will fall back into place, and I can pursue my previous plan of attending a driving school.." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Financial constraints is what I consider to have made my life so tough. This is because, my motorbike taxi does not earn me enough to cater to all my family's basic needs. On a good day, I make $5, an amount that is very insufficient. To some extent, I have postponed very essential needs like seeking medication for my mother who was diagnosed with a growth in her stomach. This has robbed away my joy as the responsible son to her and it is for this reason that makes life so difficult." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I appreciate the consistent support from GiveDirectly, which has been instrumental in covering my medical expenses and providing food for my family. As an elderly person, obtaining the necessary medication has been my primary concern. At times, I have had to request doctors to provide treatment at home due to difficulty walking, and when hospital visits are unavoidable, I rely on a motorcycle for transportation. The recent transfers I received allowed me to allocate $30 towards my treatment, providing a sense of security, especially considering the minimal support I receive from my sons, who work in low-paying jobs and have their own families to support. Furthermore, the monthly transfers have eased the burden by covering our food expenses, especially after a poor harvest last season due to excessive rainfall. With nearly $70 spent on food supplies like maize flour and vegetables, I ensured my grandchildren, whom I live with, were well provided for. In addition to medical and food expenses, I allocated $20 towards improving my storage facility, which had been leaking during rainy weather. By purchasing building materials such as poles and iron sheets, I was able to renovate the store, providing a safe and dry space for my belongings. Now, I can safely store my belongings without worrying about rain damage, giving me peace of mind."

"I am focusing on giving the poultry farming venture another try and expanding it on a larger scale. I have sought advice from experts, and this time, I am starting with better experience and preparation. With dedication and the support of the cash transfers, I believe I can make it work. Once this venture is up and running, I will have a sustainable source of income to meet my family's needs. I am confident that this time, I will achieve success." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"In my opinion, GiveDirectlydoes well in providing unconditional cash, that allows recipients like me to address our most urgent needs. This approach gives us the freedom to decide how to utilize the money based on our specific circumstances. However, one area where there could be improvement is in providing additional resources or support to help recipients maximize the impact of the funds received. This could include access to financial literacy training or assistance in identifying opportunities for sustainable income generation, thereby ensuring the long-term effectiveness of the support provided." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"As a married father of six school aged children, two boys and four girls, my wife and I have faced great challenges due to unemployment. We have relied on charcoal burning, but the income has never been enough to cover our family's needs, including school fees for our children. The struggle to make ends meet has been emotionally draining, especially as I have always wanted to provide a comfortable life for my loved ones. Our situation was saddening, with debts from every corner. One day, while I was at home, I heard from neighbors that they had received transfers from GiveDirectly. My phone had issues and was not working, so I borrowed a device from a neighbor and inserted my SIM card to confirm if I too had received the transfers. To my surprise and relief, I discovered that I too had received financial assistance from GiveDirectly. It was a moment of sheer joy and gratitude, knowing that our circumstances were about to change for the better. My immediate thought was to invest in a motorcycle, a means to progress the charcoal business that we had, which would significantly improve our family's quality of life."

"With the rainy season looming, I'm determined to build a new house. The fear of losing my current one to the downpour pushes me forward. Thankfully, I recently fulfilled my dream of owning another goat, which boosts my spirits. My plan is to kickstart the construction process as soon as possible. When our monthly transfer comes in, I aim to gather materials by pooling $30 from each of us. This collaborative effort will hopefully set us on the path to a safer, more secure home before the rains arrive." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)