"I have five children who are currently in school. I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly for the financial support that has enabled me to cover my children's education. Since I began receiving these transfers, my children have not been sent home for outstanding fees because I can now pay on time. Previously, before I joined this program, they were frequently sent home for unpaid fees, which disrupted their studies. With my latest transfer, I used $48 to pay my children's school fees, dividing the amount among four of them. At present, we are facing significant drought in our area, which has impacted our situation greatly. Accessing water and food is challenging, as even vegetables are scarce, and the little that is available is being sold at high prices. Consequently, I purchased $60 worth of food to ensure we have some stored for later while we continue to seek income to support my family."

"I am a tailor, and this work is my primary source of income, allowing me to support my children. The transfers from GiveDirectly have significantly helped me, particularly in purchasing materials for making dresses. This support has stabilized my business and led to better returns for my family. Recently, I used $60 from the transfers to invest in my business, specifically on materials to create clothes for sale. I also spent $42 on food and water. Given the ongoing drought, we've had to allocate a considerable portion of our income to stock up on food and ensure we have enough water. I am truly grateful to GiveDirectly for their financial assistance, which has made it possible for us to access water and food without the strain we experienced in the past."

"When I received the cash transfers, I used about $30 to pay for my son's school fees, as he is currently in Form 3. It's been a challenge to ensure he gets a good education, especially since I don't have a stable job and often rely on raising cattle for friends in exchange for a small payment, which barely covers our needs. As a result, my son was frequently sent out of class, which was very demotivating for him. However, since GiveDirectly came into my life, I have felt a sense of relief; it's now rare for him to be sent home because I usually send a portion of the transfers each month. Additionally, I spent $20 to buy a goat and $14 on a chicken, but unfortunately, the chicken died from a viral disease. I am hopeful that the goat will reproduce, and soon I will have a larger herd. I believe that with an increased herd size, I will be better able to meet my family's needs. Later, I used $18 to buy an iron sheet to renovate my house, as one part of it was leaking. I was glad to fix it, as this will prevent me from getting wet during the rainy season. I also spent $16 on spare parts to repair my bicycle, which has been incredibly helpful for transporting water from the dams to my home. With the remaining $4, I bought food for my family, which has been essential for us, and I truly appreciate it."

"My house has become so worn that whenever it rains, water leaks in due to the old and damaged roof. This situation has caused me sleepless nights, as I worry that my family and I will be exposed to rain and cold nights during the long rains. I have set a goal to renovate the roof and install a new one. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my monthly cash transfers and receive additional support from my sons. In a few months, I plan to complete the renovation. This will ensure we stay dry during the rain and protect my family from future risks, such as physical harm due to the deteriorating roof."

"When I received my second cash transfer, I felt a wave of hope wash over me. With $135, I bought two sheep, knowing they would provide us with milk when they give birth and serve as a valuable investment for our future. Livestock has always been important to our family's well-being, and I am excited about the possibilities this purchase brings. I also set aside $50 to pay for my children's school fees, which is essential for their education. In the past, I depended on farming and charcoal burning to raise enough money for their fees, but it was never guaranteed, especially during tough times. Furthermore, I realized that my family had no clothes at home; we only had worn-out outfits. I spent $100 to purchase new clothes, which made me feel proud and happy to have something decent to wear. With the remaining $165, I invested in crop farming by cultivating one acre of land. Farming is crucial for us to have enough food at home and to generate income to pay for school fees. However, the cost of fuel for the generator to pump water is very expensive, so I had to divide my money wisely to make it last. Life has been hard, especially before I received this money. Since the day we got the cash transfer, everything feels easier. My husband and I alternate our responsibilities; he looks after the animals while I tend to the farm. We are a family of three, and the support from GiveDirectly has truly changed our lives for the better. With this assistance, I feel a sense of relief and optimism for our future."

"In our community, livestock is important for survival, so I decided to invest in sheep with my unconditional cash transfer. I bought six sheep, both male and female, for $310. This investment means I’ll have milk for my family and a way to earn money when they multiply. Livestock has always been our best option, and this purchase gives me hope for a more secure future. Additionally, I used $50 to pay the school fees for my child, who was behind on payments. Education is important, and I wanted to make sure my child could continue studying without any problems.I also realized we had no food at home, so I spent another $50 to buy essential groceries. As a farmer, I used to grow watermelons and vegetables to sell for fees, but after the floods destroyed my crops and wiped out all my livestock, I struggled to provide for my family. The floods took away everything I worked hard for, including my three acres of maize. However, I am determined to rebuild our lives step by step. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy clothes for my family since we had none left. It feels good to have decent clothing, especially when visiting friends and neighbors. My wife and I work hard together on our small farm, and we rely on each other to get through tough times. Life is still challenging, but with these new resources, I feel relieved and hopeful for a better future for my children and us."

"We are going through incredibly tough times right now. The dry spell has stretched on and on, bringing severe drought, and leaving us all facing hunger. This year, with things as they are, my priority is to keep using my transfers to buy food and water so my family can get by until the rains finally come and we can hopefully harvest enough to fill our stores again. Also, looking ahead, I dream of building something sustainable for my future. Once the drought conditions improve, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the small herd that I already have. I envision these goats multiplying over time, giving me a source of income that I can lean on in the future when this program eventually comes to an end. Additionally, managing my health is another important goal. I plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy my monthly medication so I can take care of myself and stay strong. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to GiveDirectly for this support. It is not just helping us get through these challenging days but it is also giving me hope and a chance to build a future I can rely on."

"With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible."

"With the current drought and hunger impacting us in our region, my top priority is ensuring my family's health and nutrition. I therefore plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water until the rains come, and we can finally harvest and put an end to this hunger crisis. Additionally, I intend to invest another portion in acquiring more goats and chicken, hoping they will multiply and grow in both numbers and value. These animals will become a valuable asset for me which I can rely on in the future, especially when this program concludes. I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly as it has been a lifeline for my family during these tough times."

"We own an acre of land, which my husband and I use for crop farming. However, water has been a constant challenge due to frequent droughts, which limits our production. Currently, we rely on a generator to pump water, using furrows to channel it to the farm. This process is slow, tedious, and also expensive since the generator consumes a lot of oil. My plan is to invest in irrigation pipes, which will make irrigation easier and more efficient and also allow us to plant crops throughout all seasons. This will ultimately increase our income and help us better sustain our family."