"In the past, I managed a thriving poultry venture, which unfortunately faced a setback when I encountered an accident. Subsequently, I had to sell some of the hens to cover my medical expenses. Now, having recuperated and secured a source of income as a motorcycle taxi operator, I am eager to revive the project and generate additional earnings from it. The support I have received from Give Directly has significantly transformed my life, and I am genuinely grateful for it."

"My primary goal is to channel the financial support into ensuring a brighter future for my children through education. The cash transfer will be dedicated to covering school fees, buying textbooks, and facilitating a conducive learning environment at home. I believe that investing in their education is a long-term strategy for breaking the cycle of poverty and creating opportunities for their personal and professional growth. I am filled with gratitude for the support it will transform my family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"The cash transfers have proven to be incredibly beneficial in supporting my efforts to finance the education of my two daughters, who are currently in secondary school. Before, paying their school fees was a significant challenge, given that my main source of income comes from small-scale maize farming. Additionally, my spouse contributes by operating a motorcycle taxi, but the earnings are limited, averaging around $8 per day, which is too little to cater for both our daily needs and education. I am genuinely delighted that $200 from the transfer allowed me to cover all the fees for this term. This has brought a sense of relief, knowing that my children's education will not face disruptions for the entire term, and I am hopeful that they will excel in their studies. The timing of the funds during the festive season also allowed me to allocate $80 to purchase new clothes for my six children. This not only adhered to our tradition of wearing new clothes during Christmas but also brought joy to their faces, unlike the previous Christmas when they wore old clothes due to financial constraints. Furthermore, I invested part of the transfer, $50, in upgrading my home's furnishings. I added two-seater sofas to replace an old, broken seat, enhancing the overall look and comfort of my house. The remaining amount was wisely utilized to buy food for my family, ensuring their immediate needs were met."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to expand my poultry farming venture to include around 200 mature chickens. The vision behind this expansion is not only to generate a more substantial income for my family but also to create sustainable self employment opportunity. The idea of accomplishing this fills me with happiness, knowing that it not only improves my own livelihood but also contributes to the community by providing jobs. This expansion represents a step towards a more secure and prosperous future for both myself and those who may benefit from the employment opportunities it creates." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"Upon receiving my recent transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, I felt a great sense of joy. Recognizing the need for improved living conditions, I wisely allocated $400 towards building a two-bedroom house for my family. With three kids, our previous single-bedroom arrangement was insufficient. This new home provides us with the space and comfort we deserve. I allocated $50 of the transfer to purchase food. Prior to this, our family was facing food scarcity, and this allocation helped address our immediate nutritional needs. Now, not only do we have a more suitable living space, but we also have improved food security, contributing significantly to the well-being of my family. The impact of this transfer has brought positive changes to our living conditions and alleviated the challenges we faced." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"I've diligently set aside my recent transfers with the goal of acquiring a goat. After accumulating $55, I successfully made the purchase, marking the fulfillment of a longstanding desire to possess assets that can serve as a financial safety net. Initially having one goat, I now boast a total of two, with aspirations to foster their reproduction and establish a growing herd. Considering the responsibilities of supporting my young family, including children in primary school who depend on me, I recognize the potential challenges ahead. While my current income from selling chapati every morning sustains us for now, it may not cover all future educational expenses. My husband's income from motorcycle services, though helpful, isn't sufficient either. Therefore, the acquisition of livestock serves as a strategic advantage. In addition to the goats, I invested $4 in purchasing poultry, aiming to develop a thriving poultry project. Presently, I manage 18 birds, anticipating that they will contribute to supplementing our income. With a child starting school, I diligently saved a larger portion of the transfers over the past months to cover expenses such as new school uniforms and timely payment of fees. I am pleased that my children are comfortably enrolled in school because of the transfers since I saved enough for this purpose."

"Allocating a significant sum of $64, I covered the school fees for both my wife and son. My wife's pursuit of a tailoring course is aimed at acquiring skills to generate supplementary income, complementing my earnings as a motorcycle taxi driver. Her anticipated completion of the two-year course in December brings me great satisfaction, as her newfound skills will significantly benefit our family. Furthermore, I settled my son's school fee arrears and made a partial payment for the current term, ensuring his uninterrupted education. During the festive season, I allocated $20 to purchase new clothes for my son, enhancing his appearance and confidence. With the remaining $14, I procured food provisions to partake in joyful celebrations with my family. The invaluable financial support we've received has notably enhanced the quality of life for my family."

"My aspiration for this year is to build a bigger and better house for my family of 3. I will be able to live comfortably with an inevitably growing family." (Occupation: Motorcycle or bicycle taxi)

"As a solar agent primarily compensated through commissions, I serve as the financial provider for my wife and younger siblings who are still attending school. In a favorable month, my earnings amount to $240. However, a significant portion, $80, is allocated to transportation costs as I often sell solar lamps and panels in locations distant from my residence. Consequently, I am left with only $160, which proves insufficient to sustain my family for an entire month. Fortunately, GiveDirectly played a focal role in realizing my aspiration of owning a motorcycle. Upon receiving the second transfer, I utilized $530 from the funds, along with some cash I had saved from the initial transfer, to acquire my own red motorbike. I believe this investment will enable me to save a considerable portion of my business income, alleviating the financial strain on my family. I am pleased to no longer bear the burden of covering transportation expenses for my family, allowing me to redirect the saved funds towards addressing other essential needs within the household."

"The most significant transformation in my life since receiving unconditional cash transfers from GiveDirectly revolves around my newfound ability to provide adequately for my family. This shift is most palpable in the realm of nourishment. Previously, securing enough food was a perpetual struggle, especially during planting seasons when our energy reserves needed to be at their peak for optimal productivity on the farm. In the context of a polygamous marriage where financial resources were strained due to the temporary nature of my husband's motorcycle job, our circumstances were particularly challenging. The intermittent income wasn't sufficient to keep our kitchen well-stocked, and the repercussions were severe malnutrition among my children, a source of profound pain for me as a parent. The relief that came with the cash transfers was transformative. It meant no more reliance on borrowed food from neighbors, alleviating the discomfort that had become a routine part of our lives. Now, as a parent, I find joy in being able to meet my family's nutritional needs independently. The economic boost from GiveDirectly not only banished the specter of hunger but also revitalized our energy levels, ensuring that we approach each day, especially the crucial planting seasons, with strength and vigor. In a broader sense, the cash transfers have injected hope and resilience into our lives."