"My wife and I are farmers, but despite having fertile land, life has been challenging. We struggled because we lacked the capital to cultivate more than two hectares. We have two children, and even though our family is small, it felt like life was against us. However, since receiving cash from GiveDirectly, our situation has improved significantly, and I am deeply grateful.With my last transfer, I spent $200 on agriculture to plant maize on our two hectares, covering costs from digging to fertilizers, medicines, and weeding. I hope to sell the harvest and use the proceeds to build a bigger home, as our family is growing and we need more space.When I received my second transfer, I began constructing a toilet but couldn't complete it. With the third transfer, I allocated $50 to finish the toilet. For a long time, we used the bushes, but now, thanks to God, we have moved past that embarrassment.Additionally, I spent $140 to purchase four sheep. They will serve as fixed assets and provide security in case of emergencies. The remaining amount I gave to my wife to buy clothes for herself. We mostly depend on selling vegetables to buy food and clothing."

"For many years, I have been a watermelon farmer. While watermelons yield significant profits, they also require a substantial amount of capital to cultivate, which sometimes prevents me from planting them consistently. So, upon receiving this amount, I was overjoyed, knowing that $450 would be enough to start planting watermelons. This money would allow me to purchase seeds, medicines for spraying, and fuel for the generator to pump water to my farm.Life has not been that tough since my wife and I separated four years ago, as I live with my 6-year-old son, and providing for the two of us is manageable. Additionally, sometimes when I harvest my crops, I store them at home to ensure we have food to eat during lean times.GiveDirectly has remained a vital source of support for us, and we will always praise the organization for genuinely caring about the lives of poor people."

"Since I am currently a student in form two, I immediately decided to pay my fees upon receiving my transfer, ensuring I am not sent home for a fee balance. I allocated $20 towards my school fees. Additionally, I saved $50 in my equity account towards my future college fees as I will soon be transitioning to college. With the remaining amount, I spent $6 on personal items like soap and body oil. I also bought two chickens for $8 for domestic rearing and spent $8 on medicine because I was unwell. Additionally, I spent $10 on personal clothes since I did not have enough and $6 on food to help my mother support my younger siblings."

"As a mother of seven children, my days are busy with the never-ending tasks of providing for my family. I do casual jobs like fetching and selling firewood by the roadside. Life has been especially challenging since my husband, who is our main breadwinner, got injured at the construction site three months ago. With him unable to work, the burden of supporting our family has fallen entirely on my shoulders. Thankfully, we have been receiving the transfers from GiveDirectly which has been our backbone. Out of the last three recent transfers amounting to $102, I used $35 to pay the school fees for my five primary school children. Ensuring they can continue their education is my top priority, and now they can focus on their studies without worrying about being sent home. I also spent $34 on my husband's treatment. His recovery has been slow, but the medicine and care have made a significant difference, and I am grateful to see him getting better each day. Finally, with the remaining $33, I bought food for our family. This has provided the much-needed nourishment and eased the constant worry about our next meal. These transfers have been a lifeline, helping us manage through these tough times."

"As a retired man without any dependents, my top priority is to continue managing my health by regularly purchasing the necessary medication for my condition. I'm committed to preventing my condition from worsening, and I will use the transfers to ensure I have a consistent supply of the required medicine. Additionally, in the past, I've been fortunate to have plenty of harvests from my farming efforts, which were boosted by the transfers received from GiveDirectly, which have sustained us until now. Moving forward, I plan to continue using the transfers to enhance my farming practices, allowing me to obtain even more bountiful harvests. My goal is to have an abundance of food stored, providing me with a reliable source of sustenance. Furthermore, I currently have a few chickens, and I intend to use the transfers to acquire more. My hope is that these chickens will multiply, increasing their numbers over time. In the future, I may be able to sell some of the chickens to help meet the needs of my family. This additional income stream will provide me with a sense of security and the ability to assist my family when necessary. I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead, and I'm confident that with the support of the transfers, I can achieve my goals of maintaining my health, increasing my food production, and expanding my livestock."

"As I become of age, I have experienced severe health challenges. Being sick has prevented me from putting food on the table for myself. I depend heavily on my grandchildren who take care of me despite having their own families to care for. The money from Give Directly helps me purchase pain killers and some over-the-counter drugs whenever I am ill. I spent $10 on medicine, and I am glad I am doing well with my health. I spent $27 to purchase food, ensuring a continuous supply of food for myself. I have never lacked food. I purchased a goat for $45 and saved $20 so that I can purchase another goat in the coming months. Purchasing goats is a smart investment for the future. Once they multiply, my initial investment grows. In the event of an emergency, I can sell them and use the money to attend to my pressing needs. I am very happy with the financial support from Give Directly. It is greatly helping me live a better life."

"I am an elderly woman battling a chronic illness for the past four years. With my deteriorating health, I cannot work and rely heavily on support from my son, who works as a casual laborer. My health has been improving thanks to the financial support from Give Directly, which has helped me maintain a constant supply of medicine. I spent $30 to purchase my medicines. With the help of my daughter-in-law, I joined a savings group comprising 10 members. Every month, the $100 collected is equally shared among two members. Last month, I received my share of $50, which I plan to use to repair and expand my one-roomed house, ensuring my safety and providing a more spacious living area. I spent the remaining $42 to purchase food and detergents. I am glad that with the financial support, I have enough to eat and have never lacked. I am very appreciative of the financial support, which has helped me improve my health with the purchase of medicines."

"As a single mother of one, I have been able to take care of my child and myself because Givedirectly has enabled me through the cash transfers. I saved up and was able to buy a goat at $60.I have paid school fees from my daughter at $8, I bought medicine for myself to help with a flu which was really taking atoll on me $10 and I also bought food for my family at $24."

"I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has been instrumental in helping me establish a successful chicken rearing project. This venture has been a valuable source of income and sustenance for my family. To ensure the continued health and growth of my chickens, I allocated $34 from the transfers to purchase high-quality feed and necessary medicines. Education is another top priority for me, as I firmly believe it is the key to a brighter future for my children. With this in mind, I spent $34 to cover the school fees for my child who is currently enrolled in secondary school. This investment will help secure her education and prevent any disruptions to her studies. Unfortunately, my wife recently fell ill and is currently hospitalized, awaiting surgery. To cover her medical expenses, I allocated $30 from the transfers, adding it to the funds we had already set aside. I am hopeful that with proper treatment, she will make a full recovery and return home to our family. Finally, I used the remaining $4 to purchase additional food for my household, supplementing what we already had. This small but crucial investment ensures that my family has access to the nourishment they need during this challenging time."

"I am counting down the days until my big brother finishes college so I can embark on my own educational path. With the unwavering guidance of my high school teacher, I have set my sights on a career in medicine, a field that ignites my passion like nothing else. Every amount I save is a step towards a secure future. Pursuing medical school isn't just about fulfilling my dreams; it's about creating opportunities that will elevate not only my life but also my family's future."