"I am a widower living with my five children. I do security job at Kafitsoni primary earning $50 per month. This is payable after four months and sometimes they pay me even after six months. It is a challenge for me to meet my daily needs with such kind of payment. My children have been out of school for a week not die to school fees. One is at Dida secondary and the four are at Dida primary. They have a collective fees balance of $140. I will use $500 to clear the fees balance and also prepay for the subsequent term. I will also use $250 to install tap water in my house. Currently the family uses water from the nearby waterpan which is not safe for human consumption."

"Every night, my firstborn son—who is unemployed—would move from one neighbourhood to another in search of a place to sleep. As his mother, I had to endure restless nights because, although being a teenager, he was still in my care. Because of the tiny size of our family compound, I thus choose to buy him a plot with the second transfer so that he can start a family and enjoy the privacy he deserves. For now, we are working to raise more money so that we can build a new structure for him. Additionally, one of the issues I deal with is food insecurity; I spent $146 on food, which took us a month. Additionally, I was able to purchase water pipes because I intended to install fresh tap water in my compound. The cost was $40. Being used for domestic and agricultural motives will be a relief. At first, it was difficult since we had to go far away to get water. I will be able to practice irrigation for the moment. After finishing that, I spent $20 on maize seedlings, which I successfully planted on a half-acre plot. One of my five children had also been expelled for unpaid tuition, so I paid the $20 arrear to allow her to finish her studies. My wife and I don't have a stable income, and sometimes we just make $3 a day, which is insufficient to sustain our family, therefore I am convinced that she could still be at home by now."

"My wife and I sat down and decided that we should buy a water tank that would be utilized to store water primarily for home needs and to allow us to practice the irrigation plan due to the protracted drought that we have been experiencing. So, after receiving the money, we bought the tank and a hosepipe for about $200. We are currently waiting for the rains to begin so that we can finish starting this assignment. I believe it will be a relief because our farm output will increase and I won't have to trek as far in quest of water as I did in previous years. Additionally, one of my sons is in form two and had been at home for nearly two weeks. Because I have always wanted him to succeed in the future, I paid the outstanding balance and had him resume his studies with his friends. He is no longer burdened by late payments. Making ends meet was a constant challenge for me as the family's sole provider for seven members. Later on, I was able to expand my kiosk business, which allowed me to eventually become financially independent."

"I have been tirelessly working on a 3-acre maize plantation, facing various challenges while trying to bring water through pipes from a nearby seasonal river for irrigation. This has been the sole source of food for my family of four, and despite the difficulties, I have persevered, hoping for a bountiful harvest. However, when I received the first transfer, I was in desperate need of assistance to purchase top-dressing fertilizer, as I was unable to afford it due to other financial obligations. I am thankful that with $70, I managed to acquire 100 kilograms of fertilizer, resulting in positive outcomes and renewed hope for a successful harvest. Additionally, I purchased a chain link for $25, which I plan to use for fencing a portion of my compound. Furthermore, I allocated $50 to buy grafted banana suckers and incurred a cost of $30 for their transportation, intending to plant them at home. As a primary school teacher relying on a modest salary, I am grateful for the support that not only benefited my farming activities but also allowed me to obtain essential household goods with the remaining amount."

"The relief that comes from having enough food to sustain us cannot be understated. With our bellies full, we can now rest peacefully, knowing that our basic needs are met. Having made the wise decision to invest in two sheep, we have secured a source of sustenance and the potential for future income. These animals represent an opportunity for self-sufficiency, as they provide nourishing meat and the possibility of breeding and selling offspring. The thought of being able to generate income and provide for our family through these endeavors fills us with hope and determination. In addition to securing our food supply, we have set our sights on acquiring a water tank to collect rainwater. This investment will ensure that we have a reliable source of water, even during dry spells. It is a crucial step towards self-reliance, enabling us to meet our household needs and sustain our crops and livestock throughout the year. With these investments, we are building a foundation for a better future. We no longer need to worry about the scarcity of food or the availability of water. We are filled with gratitude for the support we have received and the opportunities that now lie before us."

"This money is coming hot on the heels of the unprecedented hardship of the high cost of living that we have ever faced. The elephant in the room is the never-unending problem of raising school fees. We want the best for our children, to attain the best life and improve their living standards and not go through what we underwent and still undergoing. It is against this backdrop that we intend to use the transfers to pay for school fees for our children, we have had a sit-down and came up with a budget, and $ 400 will be used to settle school fees, and the rest of the money to purchase a water tank and foodstuffs respectively. We are so happy about the transfer as it is a major blessing to our lives. We are forever grateful"

"I bought a cow and a goat, paid school fees for my grand son, renovated my iron sheets as water would come though the roof when it rains. I also bought foodstuffs for my family."

"I desire to be a fruit farmer but due to financial challenges, I have not ventured into it. Receiving this money means my dreams will come to pass because I will use it to fence my two-acre piece of land, and purchase mango seedlings, and a water tank for storing water. This will be a long-term project that will take three years to mature and I shall reap big from it. I am so excited because finally, I can achieve my ambition through Givedirectly transfers."

"Receiving this transfer means so much to me and my family. Since we do not have enough food, we intend to purchase food using the first transfers. We intend to spend about $100 to purchase maize, beans, and other foodstuffs. For the remaining amount together with the second transfer we intend to purchase pipes. This is significant because it will offer us a chance to get water from the community water project. This will assist me so much since I will not go for long distances to fetch water for household use. In addition to this, whatever will remain together with the third transfer we intend to purchase 5000 liters which might cost about $300. For the remaining amount, we intend to purchase a generator which would give me a chance to plant crops that will offer me a source of money. With the success of our plans, I believe that my life will change for the better. I will live to remember GiveDirectly for their consideration and assistance."

"The problem of poor housing is what I want to put to an end once this money reaches my household. Currently, my daughter who is a house help in Dubai has already initiated the construction of a 3- bedrooms permanent house for me. At the moment, it's already roofed pending the smoothing of the walls and floor plus the fixing of the shutters for the doors and windows. To my estimation, I will spend $600 of my money to ensure this is complete. Once this is done, it will restore my dignity and hence, improve my confidence in the community. On the other hand, I will spend the remaining amount to buy a water tank for storage and also to buy 3 goats to depend on in the future. Therefore, this is generally what receiving this money means to me."