"As a mother of six who majorly depends on charcoal sales, life has been very tough considering that I have five school-going children, and for sure, it has never been easy at all. Therefore, I paid around $50 to facilitate their education and for them to spend quality time in school. It used to be vice versa initially because they used to stay at home for quite a while due to the arrears. As a mother, my joy is unexplainable to see them getting a quality education that reflects their brighter future. This support from GiveDirectly has been transformative, allowing me to dream of a future where my children break free from the cycle of poverty. I was also able to buy two chickens for $10, which will obviously be of help in case of any financial crisis or emergency that might occur along the way; I can sell and sort out the matter timely. Later on, I saved $10 in table banking with the aim of buying so many goats by the end of the year since the goats are quite expensive. Once I acquire them, I will have reliable assets to depend on in case of any challenge. Finally, I bought food and other household needs for around $33. I am happy to see my children happy, as now they are eating well, unlike before, when it was not a guarantee to get a single meal a day. This financial stability has brought an immense sense of peace and contentment into our home."

"On receiving my recent transfers, I used close to $50 to pay school fees for my three children, one in secondary school and the other two in lower primary schools. Paying their fees has always been a challenge for me since I rely on charcoal burning and selling jobs, which are seasonal and no longer profitable. Consequently, my children have been on and off school, severely affecting their academic performance. This transfer lifted a heavy burden off my shoulders, ensuring my kids could attend school consistently without fear of being sent home for unpaid fees. Later on, I bought a goat and a chicken for a total of $37, hopeful that as they reproduce, I can sell some and save enough to start my dream project of building a new house. My current shelter is too small to accommodate my family of seven, and with my children now teenagers, privacy is becoming a pressing issue. It’s embarrassing and worrying, but the prospect of raising enough funds for a new house fills me with hope. Additionally, I saved $14 in the table banking system to accumulate more savings for the house project. This has been a source of great mental strain for me, constantly worrying about providing a suitable home for my family. With this support, I now see a clearer path forward, where I can not only secure a better future for my children academically but also provide them with a proper home."

"I have been investing in chicken with the hopes of selling them in the future when needed and trading some for goats. The goats are also intended to multiply, increase in value, and eventually be sold to support my family. I had around 60 chicken, but unfortunately, around 20 of them died due to illness. This setback made me very sad but did not discourage me and I am now happy with the progress that I have made. I therefore plan to buy and raise more chicken using my transfers and with the help of my husband, so that in the future, they can help me take care of my family."

"My main goal is to purchase a bull for land cultivation and a female cow for milk production. I've been diligently working towards this by using my transfers each month to acquire goats and chickens, which serve as stepping stones toward my ultimate ambition. By consistently prioritizing these purchases, I am paving the way to eventually acquire a bull for farming and another cow for milk. This initiative will provide income to support my family. I also remain adaptable to address unexpected financial needs, adjusting how I allocate my transfers when urgent situations arise."

"When I received my recent transfers, my children were opening school, so I used $25 to pay their fees to ensure they could attend without any issues. With no food at home, I spent $26 on groceries to feed my family. I also bought a phone for $34, combining it with some personal savings to reach a total of $50.. Additionally, I allocated $12 from my transfer to buy uniforms for my two children who started school. Lastly, I invested $5 in buying a chicken to rear, hoping to sell them for profit as they multiply."

"In the past six months, our community has faced drastic climate changes. While we initially welcomed the rains, they led to devastating floods in our village. Despite losing my chickens, utensils, and enduring the destruction of my home, I am grateful that no lives were lost in our village during this harrowing flood experience."

"I have always wanted to keep goats in my compound, but financial constraints made this dream seem unattainable. However, with the help of GiveDirectly, my story has taken a remarkable turn. With the recent cash transfers, I spent close to $74 to buy three goats and two chickens. Their presence in my homestead brings me immense joy and a sense of security. These animals are not just additions to my household; they represent a lifeline. In times of challenge or emergency, I now have valuable assets to rely on, providing me with a buffer against unforeseen hardships. This new source of stability gives me confidence and peace of mind, knowing I can better support my family. Additionally, I had been struggling with my health and decided it was time to see a doctor. The diagnosis was stomach ulcers, and thanks to the cash transfers, I could pay the $20 medical bill. I am now on the road to recovery, and I can't imagine how I would have managed without this financial support. The remaining $9 went towards buying food and other household necessities, ensuring my family's immediate needs were met. The transformation in our lives is remarkable, and I am profoundly grateful to GiveDirectly for making it possible. This assistance has not only improved our living conditions but also restored hope for a better future."

"As a widow managing a household through the challenges of relying on charcoal sales, every day was a test of resilience. With the unconditional cash transfer, I seized the opportunity to secure a better future for my children. First and foremost, I prioritized their education, allocating $60 towards school fees. This ensured that all four of my children could attend primary school without any financial hindrances. Additionally, I purchased new uniforms for two of them, replacing their worn-out ones. Seeing them dressed for school with pride filled me with immense satisfaction, knowing that education is their pathway to a brighter tomorrow. Another $30 went into merry-go-round savings, earmarked for renovating our old, leaky house. The leaking roof has been a persistent source of stress during rainy seasons, and I dream of sleeping peacefully once it's repaired. With a forward-thinking mindset, I invested $10 in purchasing two chickens for our homestead. I plan to breed them so that, in times of financial emergencies, I can sell some and secure the necessary funds. This investment not only offers a potential safety net but also represents a step towards greater financial stability for my family. Each decision I've made with this cash transfer aims to provide a better future for my children and alleviate the hardships we face daily."

"My priority is to ensure my school-going children receive a good education, so I continue to allocate part of my transfers for their schooling. It is also essential to provide them with nutritious meals because a full stomach makes children happy and I intend to achieve this using part of the transfers. Additionally, I plan to use my transfers to expand my livestock, both chickens and goats, and ensure they are well cared for to multiply in number. This investment in livestock will provide a future income source to support my children's education. Ultimately, my children's happiness revolves around having access to food and education, and ensuring these needs are met brings me great joy."

"My house is small, cramped, and leaking, making it uncomfortable for us to sleep in. To improve our living conditions, I plan to save part of my transfers in our savings group. When the savings mature in December, I will withdraw them and use the funds to build a new two-room house for my family, ensuring we can sleep comfortably and warmly. Additionally, I plan to increase my livestock by using my transfers to buy goats, complementing the chickens I already have. The chickens are intended to multiply, allowing me to sell them to address any emergency issues that arise. The goats will grow in number and value, enabling me to trade them for cows in the future. These cows will then be used to plow my farm. I am very grateful and optimistic about my plans because they mean a lot to me."