"Receiving this money means quality education for my three children in secondary level. Raising their school fees has been an uphill task since I lost the motorcycle that used to give me more money. I have $300 school fees in arrears and considering in two weeks time they will be joining the last academic term of the year an additional $200 is required. I am excited because the transfers will allow me have peace because I shall use to clear school fees and pay for other levies. My children will be able to study comfortably and improve their educational performance."

"Throughout the period of utilizing the support we received from GiveDirectly, I had been collaborating closely with my supportive husband to formulate and carry out our plans. I am pleased that upon receipt of the final transfer, he was able to utilize $50 to repair his motorcycle, which has previously served as our primary source of income, catering to school fees for our two children and other household expenditures. Additionally, we spent $36 to purchase essential food items like maize, beans, and sugar for our family of four. Recognizing the need for furnishings in our new house, we used $44 to acquire two tables and three plastic chairs, enhancing the interior look of our home. Having leased a parcel of land some months ago, planting had been hindered due to insufficient funds to purchase the required seeds or seedlings for the entire acre. With the remaining funds, I am content that I can now acquire all the necessary inputs for farming. This step will hopefully enable me to plant the entire plot, relieving me of the casual labor I engaged in when land was not available for cultivation. Leasing this land marks a significant stride toward achieving self-sustained food production for our family of four."

"Due to poor sanitation at our home, we need a toilet. It's a shame we still depend on my father. Building our own is our utmost priority. The high cost of materials and labor means we need at least $150 to construct a decent one. This will help improve our health conditions. I own a motorcycle, it needs repair. I cannot currently use it because it got stalled. I lacked the money to repair it. It will cost me about $100. The motorcycle will help me run my errands or even run a motorcycle taxi when I am free. This will help support my family's income. Our 2-roomed house is in a bad state. Termites have eaten up most of the wooden support structure. We need to repair it. The high cost of materials means we need approximately $500. This will reduce our worries about the state of our house. To ensure we have something sustainable for the future. We plan to buy goats. They do well here and grow faster. I need 5 goats, it will cost almost $200. When the stock numbers are high enough we can sell for use. Additionally, we can also milk them to supplement our domestic milk consumption. The difficult drought times mean we buy food. The cost of living is also high. Our farm's production is low. We'll use the rest of the income as an emergency for food support. It means we'll have something to eat as a family most of the time."

"Having achieved remarkable success in the earlier projects funded by the initial two transfers, I eagerly anticipated the final payment from GiveDirectly, driven by my determination to continue our planned ventures alongside my spouse. Out of this sum, I spent $245 on buying construction materials, including 11 sheets of iron, 10 building poles, a door, and a window. Out of these resources, five iron sheets were utilized to construct a protective shelter for my newly acquired plastic water tank, shielding it from the detrimental effects of direct sunlight. The surplus materials are designated for the construction of a new kitchen, which holds significance as my current open-air kitchen is consistently affected by rain, necessitating alternative cooking arrangements. Additionally, I spent $70 on the purchase of two bags of fertilizer, which were effectively employed for topdressing a one-acre maize field that has yielded a bountiful harvest and is currently in the drying phase within my storage facility. This harvest not only caters to my sustenance but also generated surplus that I intend to sell. Upon receipt of the funds, I promptly addressed pressing household needs, including foodstuffs, toiletries, and water containers, for which I spent $97. I have set aside the remaining $38 in my savings account, intended for imminent land preparation in anticipation of early next year's planting season—a cornerstone of our primary income source." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I make my living as a motorcycle taxi driver, so I spend the entire day cruising the streets. I left my phone at home to charge on this specific day since the power was down. Until the sun began to set, I drove around ferrying people. Around 5:00 p.m., I eventually made it back home, exhausted but happy that I had earned something to feed my family. My wife welcomed me with a grin and some wonderful news: a transfer had arrived in our account. As I looked at my phone and saw the confirmation message, I couldn't help but experience a surge of joy. Plans started to emerge in my head right away; I knew precisely what I wanted to accomplish using the transfer. The next day, I was set to buy a big sack of maize to keep our family well-fed, thanks to the transfer." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Before receiving the initial transfer, I had already committed to acquiring a motorcycle on credit from a seller, agreeing to a weekly payment of $34. This arrangement was viable as I had identified an opportunity to provide transportation services for schoolchildren and teachers, resulting in consistent earnings from roundtrip journeys five days a week. With the third and final transfer, I wisely placed a lump sum deposit of $250 to cover expenses over the upcoming seven weeks, considering the potential disruption due to school closures affecting my weekly payments. Over the past few weeks, I have diligently maintained timely payments, cleared the debt, and obtained both a logbook and a new license plate. Presently generating at least $6 daily, I am effectively managing my projects, accumulating savings, and aiming to initiate further profitable ventures for my family of four. Allocating $48, I secured two months' worth of daily milk by prepaying for a liter each day, acknowledging the challenges of dairy farming amid the ongoing drought. I also invested $105 in acquiring three goats, supplementing our existing herd that I intend to sell in the future to support household expenses. I express my gratitude for GiveDirectly's generous support, which has fostered significant positive change within the village." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I generate a monthly income of $50 by raising livestock, while my husband works as a motorcycle taxi driver. Despite our efforts, our incomes are modest, leading to significant challenges in meeting our family's basic necessities. Our financial responsibilities encompass four school-going children who rely on us for support. Recently, I used $15 to settle a school fee debt for my eldest son, ensuring his return to primary school after a two-day absence. Witnessing him resume his education brings me immense joy and relief. Additionally, I allocated $6 to acquire three hens, a decision that holds strategic value for our future. As these hens multiply, my plan involves selling some to gradually transition into goats, known for their lucrative market value. This progression is expected to yield substantial profits. To address our immediate needs, I dedicated the remaining $13 to procure food for our family. Reflecting on our journey, significant advancements have materialized, particularly concerning our access to nourishment. Gone are the days of enduring hunger for extended periods. The support we've received, including financial assistance, has transformed our circumstances, for which I am profoundly thankful."

"I am a father of three amazing children and in the wake of a motorcycle accident, GiveDirectly's consistent monthly transfers have been a guiding light. Crafting a strategic plan, I safeguarded my children's education, by paying their tution fee of $20 that really made them very happy. I also spent $10 on tending to our necessities, and also embarked on a fruitful chicken farming venture with an initial $4 investment in two chicks. Today, with a flourishing flock of thirty chickens, I'm turning adversity into accomplishment, all thanks to the unwavering support that continues to propel my family's journey forward."

"I hope to buy a motorcycle so that I can transport my children"

"After receiving the funds, I recognized that the timing was perfect to stock up on essential groceries for our household. This was the most pressing requirement we had at the moment. Consequently, I spent $110 specifically for purchasing food supplies. My income stems from occasional employment, while my husband operates as a motorcycle taxi driver. The meager earnings we generate are consistently allocated to other pressing expenses such as school fees, which are hardly sufficient. With the remainder of the funds, I acquired necessary items for the household. Our family comprises five children, and I'm elated to share that I now possess an ample supply of food to cater to my children's needs, a situation that was not the case previously." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)