"Since the arrival of heavy rains in June this year, my house has fallen into a state of disrepair. The force of the rainwater caused significant damage to the mud walls, leading to weakened supporting poles and resulting in the house tilting to one side. Furthermore, the iron sheets covering the roof have rusted over time, leading to severe leaks. Given the circumstances, my objective is to utilize the funds from the transfer to construct a brand-new house. The financial support I have received thus far has allowed me to purchase ten pieces of iron sheets, marking a significant step towards achieving my goal. The prospect of having a new house fills me with immense joy and gratitude, as it promises a safer and more comfortable living environment for myself and my family."

"I used the second cash transfer to transform my life. When I got the money, the first thing I did was pay $40 for my two primary school children's school fees. It was such a relief to know that they could continue their education without any worries. Thereafter, I decided to invest in our future by buying four goats for $132. These goats not only provide security for us but also serve as an investment. They can reproduce and help us generate income down the road. But one of the most significant changes I made was renovating our house. I spent $195 to construct strong pillars and plaster the outside walls. This not only made our home more secure, but it also protected it from rainwater damage during heavy rains. Our house now stands firm against strong winds, and the walls no longer get washed away by splashing rainwater. With the remaining amount, I was able to pay the contractor who did the renovation. Thanks to GiveDirectly, my family's future looks brighter, and we have a more secure and comfortable place to call home."

"I have a strong desire to dive into vegetable farming as a means to generate income. Selling my produce to local vendors seems like a promising way to support my family of five financially. My hope is that the upcoming rainy season will be more favorable, providing the water needed for a successful crop. In about a month's time, I also plan to harvest and sell the maize I have been cultivating. This additional income will be a boost to our family's finances and be a capital contribution to vegetable farming. With optimism in my heart, I am gearing up for this new venture, hoping for a fruitful harvest and a brighter future for my family."

"It's been a difficult period for the last 3 years. We've had a long drought cutting across seasons. This has led to severe water shortage. Due to our dependence of irrigation for farming, it's hard harvesting. Most of the time my farm dries due to lack of rains or water to irrigate. This has really affected my ability to establish myself. It has led to low farm productivity and I also grow a small portion of the land. This is because of inadequate water supply."

"Education is important for any person. I believe educating my children will give them a better future, they'll also support me. I plan to use at least $600 for my children's learning. That amount will support them towards school completion. Due to water shortage, I plan to buy a water tank. This means I can harvest rain water for use, especially during drought periods. A tank can cost about $200. Additionally, I plan to cement my 2-roomed house. It's dusty and not good for our health. When cemented, it's easy to clean and reduces chances of getting a flu. Plan to spend about $200. The rest of the transfer will be used to prepare and fence a small vegetables garden. This will provide me with enough vegetables and some for sell."

"My main ambition is to kickstart a project that brings in income to my family. The project in mind is a little grocery store. In our village, folks have to trek a long way just to find some fresh vegetables, especially because of this ongoing drought. But my plan is simple yet effective; to set up a system that uses the water from the nearby dam to irrigate a small patch of land. That way, I can grow veggies right here, eliminating the need for those exhausting journeys and making life a whole lot easier for everyone in the village. It's not just about money; it's about creating a sustainable change for our community."

"I am so happy that we have received transfers form August after harvesting which meant that our energies could redirected to other things that were equally as pressing. A part of my roof was blown away during the last rain and this meant that that section of the house would leak and water would get into the house. I was able in August to by two sheets of Iron from my transfers at $20 which I combined with iron sheets bought earlier to replace the 4 sheets that were taken away by the wind. I also bought goats in July and September at $28 on each of these months, I also bought two chicken in July and August at $6 and $8 respectively. I took the harvested maize for milling at $5 in August and bought a few clothes for me and my child in September at $6."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goal is to enhance my goat-selling business by increasing both purchases and sales, ultimately leading to a better daily profit. With this increased profit, I plan to expand my involvement in farming activities, particularly vegetable farming, as there is a water project set to be established close to my house. Accessing water from this source will enable the development of a vegetable garden, which we will utilize to sell produce and cover other household expenses."

"The unconditional transfer from GiveDirectly was truly amazing, as it allowed us to pay off a burdensome loan that had been taking our daily income, leaving us with nothing to afford even basic food. Now, we possess an invaluable asset that not only makes it easier to fetch water from a distance but also serves as an income-generating source through taxi services. I am pleased that there were no restrictions on how we could spend the funds, giving us the freedom to address our most pressing needs. GiveDirectly has undoubtedly provided the best support, and we are profoundly grateful for it. I sincerely hope that the same kind of support can be extended to other needy communities, as it can truly make a significant difference in their lives."

"Apart from subsistence farming, which used to be the primary source of income for my family of four until unreliable weather conditions disrupted it, I also relied on casual labor. My son and I have been working tirelessly, earning at least $4 a day, to ensure we have enough money for food and school fees for his sibling. I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has allowed me to accomplish so much. With the third transfer, I paid $100 in school fees for my two children, who are preparing for their final primary school exams. I also invested another $100 in purchasing two goats, hoping to breed them and use their offspring for future school fee payments when my children transition to secondary school. Additionally, I spent $70 on a sack of maize, which has been a crucial food supplement alongside our daily earnings from casual labor. For a long time, we used water cans as makeshift chairs because I could not afford furniture after constructing my house. I am delighted that I finally managed to acquire two tables and two plastic chairs, all for $26. As I prepare for the challenging period when my children will be entering secondary school, I have saved the remaining $154 to facilitate their transition early next year."