"I shoulder the responsibility of caring for my two grandchildren, ensuring their basic needs such as food, clothing, and education are met. Prior to being enrolled in GiveDirectly, I earned a living by selling charcoal, a physically demanding job that took a toll on my health, resulting in frequent severe chest pains. Now, I heavily rely on the monthly transfers from GiveDirectly to support my family of four. I allocated $30 towards school fees for my two grandchildren, ensuring they can continue their education without significant disruptions. Additionally, I set aside $30 in a savings group with the intention of investing in livestock to improve our quality of life. With the funds saved from the transfers, I have already acquired 1 cow and 7 goats, which I consider a significant and promising investment. The remaining $42 was utilized to purchase food for my family, ensuring that we never go without a meal. Despite the health challenges that limit my ability to work and generate income, I am immensely grateful for the financial assistance provided by the transfers. It has played a crucial role in enabling me to fulfill my role as a caregiver and provide for my family's needs."

"I'm currently facing challenges providing enough food for my family due to the limited maize harvest from my farm. As a result, we're forced to purchase expensive food from the shop. With my next transfers, I intend to prioritize purchasing food to ensure that my family's nutritional needs are met. Additionally, I plan to allocate funds towards paying school fees for my three children, ensuring they can continue their education without interruption. Moreover, I aspire to improve our living conditions by constructing a spacious three-bedroom house to replace our current dilapidated dwelling, which is covered with polythene paper for roofing. This endeavor will provide my family with a safer and more comfortable living environment. I am deeply grateful for the financial support provided by the transfers thus far, as it has been instrumental in enabling me to care for my family's needs. This assistance has provided a lifeline during difficult times, and I am committed to utilizing it effectively to improve our quality of life and secure a brighter future for my loved ones."

"With the final transfer I received, I made a strategic decision to invest in livestock to secure a more sustainable future for my family. I bought a cow for $250, primarily to provide us with milk, which is essential for my young children as they are at a high risk of malnutrition. The cow will not only cater to our immediate needs but, as it breeds, I plan to sell them in the future to cover school fees for my children. Additionally, I invested in two more goats, costing $50 each, adding to the three I previously acquired. Goats thrive in our harsh climatic conditions and their quick multiplication will allow me to sell some for extra income, which I'll use to pay for school fees and meet other family needs. My focus remains steadfast on my children’s education and ensuring they can continue their studies without financial hindrance. I never had the opportunity to attend school due to security issues and financial constraints, which eventually led to my reliance on casual jobs and charcoal production alongside my wife-an unsustainable means for our family of six. To further alleviate our situation, I also purchased two bags of maize for $90 to help address our immediate food shortages. I am deeply thankful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has been instrumental in these investments and in planning a brighter future for my children."

"My husband works as a house contractor, and sometimes his work isn't steady. But with the recent cash transfer, I was able to do a lot for my family. First, I spent $80 to buy a mattress for my four kids. They used to sleep on the floor, which hurt their backs. They were so happy to finally have a real bed. Then, I used $100 to get a door for our house because It's important for our safety. I also used$100 of the money to pay for my kids' school fees. I don't want them missing out on their education. With a bit left over, I bought food so we wouldn't go hungry. But the best part? I used some of the money to start my own bakery. I've always loved baking, and now I can sell my goods in a shop and even go door-to-door. It's not easy, but on a good day, I can make $12. My bakery helps support my family, especially when my husband's job isn't reliable. I'm grateful for the chance to provide for my loved ones."

"My top priority is to secure quality education for my children. Before the coming of this project, they often faced numerous interruptions in their schooling due to my inability to pay school fees. However, with the transfers, these interruptions have significantly decreased, and my children can now attend school regularly. I am genuinely pleased with these positive changes, and I am committed to allocating both my forthcoming transfers and savings to ensure that my children continue their education smoothly. I firmly believe that education will equip them with the essential skills needed to secure a better future. I will always be grateful to GiveDirectly for the support they have provided to me and my community."

"Together with my husband, we operate a business selling charcoal and chickens to support our family of seven. In the past, our business struggled, and our income was insufficient to cover our expenses. However, there has been a significant improvement since we started receiving these transfers. I have invested in poultry farming, focusing on raising chickens, and our business is now thriving. I am confident that even after the program concludes, the success of our poultry farming venture will leave a lasting legacy for our family. From the transfers received, I allocated $68 to purchase two goats to expand our existing herd. As we already had enough food from the previous season, this investment will further boost our income. Additionally, I spent another $34 to acquire three chickens and four ducks, which I plan to sell later to cover my children's school fees and other expenses. I am grateful for the financial stability these transfers have provided, allowing me to meet our expenses without excessive strain."

"My husband works in house construction while I sell firewood, jointly supporting our family of four children. Due to financial constraints, I could only afford to educate two of my children, resorting to farming for others to make ends meet. However, these transfers have brought a renewed sense of hope to our family. I have primarily used these funds to educate my son, and I am proud to share that he is now in standard eight, almost completing primary school. Additionally, I have been able to meet our daily needs, including purchasing food and household essentials. With the transfers received, I allocated $60 towards my son's school fees, ensuring his uninterrupted education. I then saved $30 in our savings club, earmarked for paying school fees later in the year. The remaining $12 was spent on household items like flour and oil, replenishing our supplies. Receiving these transfers brings me a great sense of peace, and I am grateful to be part of this initiative."

"My husband and I run a kiosk in our village, selling essentials like flour, oil, and beans to sustain our family of five. Previously, our business struggled due to a lack of capital, and we faced food shortages during a severe drought. However, circumstances have improved significantly. We now enjoy ample meals, and I can comfortably pay school fees and purchase clothes for my family. Out of the transfers received, I set aside $20 in our savings club to enhance our business in the future. Additionally, I allocated $10 to cover school fees for the new term. Furthermore, I invested $30 in purchasing additional stock for our kiosk, thereby strengthening it. I also used $30 to settle a debt I had borrowed from my savings. The remaining $8 was spent on buying food and cooking oil for my family was our supplies had run low. These transfers have truly transformed my life for the better,and I am deeply grateful for the assistance."

"This year, my focus is on expanding my goat-rearing business. It's a lucrative venture, as goats require minimal maintenance and yield high profits. I plan to utilize my upcoming transfers to invest in this endeavor. With sufficient food from the previous harvest, the additional income from goat-rearing will allow me to cover my children's school fees. I am happy with the progress I have made this far."

"As a casual laborer, I rely on selling charcoal and undertaking odd jobs to provide for my family of twelve. Previously, life was challenging; we often faced food shortages, and I struggled to afford school fees for my ten children. However, I'm grateful that our circumstances have improved. Now, I can comfortably purchase food and cover school fees. Education is a priority for me, so from the received transfers, I allocated $68 to settle a debt for my son who recently completed school. The remaining $34 was used to pay school fees for another son starting a new term in primary school. I am delighted to be a beneficiary of this program as it has changed my life."