"GiveDirectly has truly done an incredible job, bringing about a remarkable transformation and balance in our village. Families who once struggled to afford education fees have built new homes, and others have invested in livestock, which continues to provide for them. The improvements in hygiene and sanitation, thanks to the construction of latrines and the purchase of water tanks, have been a significant benefit to our community. Personally, I can't think of any specific recommendations for change; I am just hopeful that we might receive further support in the future to continue this positive trajectory."

"As a family we face a big food problem. It's difficult putting food on the table due to the high cost of living. We depend on casual jobs to gain income to buy food. These jobs pay poorly meaning we sometimes lack food. The drought has led to water shortage and no rains means no farming. We are also not able to irrigate our farms due to water shortage. This has led to never ending food insecurity due to low to zero farm productivity."

"Water scarcity is what has challenged me the most. This is because, in our area, we have only 1 water pan that serves both the people and the livestock around. This makes the water unsafe for human consumption but because I lack money to buy clean water, my family is forced to drink the same dirty water and it has put us in a dangerous situation. I am currently worried about the announced country-wide outbreak of cholera. Hence, I consider this situation as what has made my life harder."

"I did watermelon farming in an acre piece of land and harvested in may. I got $ 700 as profit and this brought me happiness because I was able to pay school fees for my children. It gives me peace of mind knowing that they will study comfortably for a whole year."

"My happiness over the past six months has come from the rains that we received. While it has been dry for many months and even though we did not harvest anything in our farms, I'm happy that we have rain for pasture and water for our livestock."

"My aim has been to leave a Mark in my life through this Givedirectly transfers. I purchased a water tank, a bed, goats and chicken which will serve as a reminder of the change that being a recipient of this cash transfers had on my life. I am planning to buy my child a mattress since she is currently sleeping with me so she can have a place of her own to sleep. I also would like to strengthen the foundation of our house by adding a stone layer as the house is a mud house to ensure it does not crumble and fall for any reason."

"I invested $300 of the GiveDirectly transfers in building a new home for my family. Previously, we were living in a cramped mud house with just one room, and this upgrade was long overdue. Not only has this new home provided us with much-needed space and comfort, but it also protects us from various inconveniences, including crawling animals. $80 of the transfers went towards securing our food supply. Before, making ends meet was quite stressful as I relied on selling charcoal, which often didn't generate enough income for our family. Now, with the ability to buy food regularly, we are no longer plagued by food scarcity, and this has brought relief to our household. Another valuable investment was the $30 I spent on a water pipe. This allows me to engage in irrigation, ensuring that our farm receives adequate water during dry seasons. This not only supports our food production but also contributes to our overall well-being. Furthermore, I purchased a Neem tree for $40, which serves multiple purposes. Apart from improving the environment around our home, Neem is known for its medicinal properties, which will benefit us health-wise. Additionally, the tree will provide much-needed shade during sunny seasons, making our outdoor space more comfortable. In essence, the GiveDirectly transfers have enabled me to address essential aspects of our lives, from housing and food security to improving our environment and health."

"Receiving this money means achieving my ambition of being a fruit farmer. I have set aside two acres of land that I need to do mango and pawpaw farming on a large scale. Due to financial challenges, I have not fenced the farm making it easier to be encroached on by livestock. I will use the transfers to purchase chain links for permanent fencing and seedlings. At the same time, do piping for laying drop irrigation to ensure continued support of water. I am hopeful that this will earn me a good fortune in the next three years since it has minimum maintenance costs therefore maximizing on profits."

"Looking ahead, my goal for the coming years is to repair the roof of my house. Currently, the roof is made of grass thatches that have deteriorated over time, allowing water to leak in when it rains. With the forecasted heavy rains expected in the next few months, I'm concerned that the roof will not hold up, and the entire house could be damaged. To address this, I plan to use some of the funds from the next transfers to purchase the necessary roofing materials, such as iron sheets, which are stronger and more resistant to rain."

"What I truly appreciate about GD is the unconditional nature of their transfers. These transfers have been a lifeline for many of us, lifting us out of poverty. I can personally attest that a significant number of people in my area have invested in income-generating projects, and I believe this will gradually elevate our economic status. Thanks to GD's support, I used part of the funds to purchase a cow and two sheep, which I see as a promising investment for a brighter future. Additionally, I no longer need to purchase vegetables since I can now grow them with the water from the water tank I bought."