"After receiving my transfers from GiveDirectly, I decided to use some of the funds to start a small grocery . With each transfer, I've been able to gradually expand my it. This business generates a small income, which is essential for buying basic necessities for my family, so I'm dedicated to keeping it running. I’m proud to serve my neighbors, making it easier for them to find what they need without having to travel far. When I received my latest transfers I managed to save $60 within our merry-go-round group for future investment in my business when it’s my turn. I also spend $14 on food for family consumption, as we had nothing at home. Finally, I allocated the remaining $28 to cover my children's school fees. I am truly thankful for this financial assistance."

"We have experienced significant change in our community since GiveDirectly arrived in our village. Personally, I plan to invest a portion of my transfer into a profit-generating activity that will continue to provide benefits even after the transfers end. Therefore, I have decided to purchase goats and raise them as a future investment. As a parent of school-going children, I need to plan carefully. In addition to using the income from this investment to pay for school fees, it’s important to be prepared for any financial emergencies that may arise. Rather than relying on friends for help, I will have my own investment to depend on. I’m pleased to share that I have already bought eighteen goats, and I intend to acquire more until I have a substantial number. I believe that, over time, they will also reproduce and increase in number. Furthermore, I want to initiate a poultry project as well. Having both of these ventures will help support me during financially difficult times, as there is a ready market for both poultry and goats in our area. These are my plans for the coming year and beyond."

"When I received my transfer, it was a huge relief because my son, who is in secondary school, had been sent home due to unpaid school fees. The timing was perfect, as he returned home the very next morning after I got the money. He had arrears of $220, so I immediately paid $150, leaving a balance of $70, which I plan to clear with my final transfer. At the same time, my maize on three acres of land was ready for harvest, but I had lost some to floods. Thankfully, I still had some maize left on two acres, though I feared losing it due to lack of money. I had even considered borrowing, but I was fortunate enough to receive my second transfer from GiveDirectly, which I used to cover the $100 needed for harvesting, transporting, and shelling the maize. We also had an issue with seating in our home, as our family of seven only had a three-seater sofa, which I had bought with my first transfer. It wasn't enough, so I spent $100 on an additional sofa, plastic chairs, and a table. Although having maize was a blessing, it didn’t fully make us food secure. We still lacked other essentials like beans and various household items, so I spent $50 on those. I also used $40 to buy clothes and shoes for all of us, as our old ones were worn out, and we didn’t have anything decent for special occasions. The remaining amount went toward my transportation to town to purchase everything we needed."

"My goal for the years ahead is to buy a cow and ensure my grandson’s school fees are fully paid. Currently, I don’t own a cow, and it’s very important to me because it would provide milk for our household and a source of income. In our culture, having cows is also a sign of respect and status, so owning one would mean a great deal to me personally. Alongside this, I am determined to support my grandson’s education by making sure his school fees are paid, ensuring he can continue learning without interruptions. With the final transfer from GiveDirectly, I believe I’ll be able to achieve these goals, and the thought fills me with gratitude as I envision a better future and improved living standards for us."

"The floods hit us hard, washing away our entire one-acre maize crop, leaving us with nothing to feed our children or sell for their school fees. I felt completely helpless, especially since my husband, who is a farmer too, has other family responsibilities in his polygamous household. He helps when he can, but his support isn’t always consistent. With four young children relying solely on me, this cash transfer felt like a miracle, arriving just when I was at my lowest. Finally, I felt a sense of relief, a glimmer of hope that we could get back on our feet.I used $180 to buy three goats, securing something valuable and lasting for our future. These goats provide milk, a crucial addition to our children’s diet, and give me a way to save, knowing I can sell them if an emergency arises. It’s more than just livestock to me—it’s a lifeline, bringing stability I hadn’t known in a long time. Finally, I have something to depend on, a small but meaningful shield against the hardships we’ve faced. With $80, I bought a cupboard to store our utensils safely, as managing a household with four young children can be challenging without proper storage. Now, I can keep things organized, locked away from their reach, which brings peace and order to our daily life. The rest of the money went to school fees and food. With our farming income wiped out by the floods, I was able to give my children some security and consistency. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I finally feel like I have a chance to provide for my children, lifting a heavy burden from my heart."

"The money arrived during the night, and although I heard the message, I didn’t pay much attention to it. Then, in the morning around 8 a.m., I decided to check my phone, and to my surprise, I found that the transfer had come through! I felt a wave of joy and relief, thanking God because just the day before, my child’s teacher had called, reminding me about the school fees that were due. I had been so worried, knowing I didn’t have any way to pay. This money came at the perfect time, and I couldn’t believe my luck. It felt like a true blessing, lifting a huge weight off my shoulders."

"Given the current drought and the hunger we are facing, my plan for this year is to continue using part of my transfers to make sure my family has enough food to avoid going hungry. It is a struggle, but I will keep prioritizing our food needs, especially during these tough times. At the same time, with my grandchildren still in school, I am committed to using another portion of the funds to pay their school fees, ensuring they can stay in school and continue their education. Another big concern for me is the roof of my house. It is very old and rusty, and it desperately needs to be replaced. However, with the drought still ongoing, I cannot focus on the roofing just yet. So, I am waiting for the rains to come, hoping that we will farm and have a good harvest to sustain us for a long period. Once we have enough food stored, I will begin redirecting part of my GiveDirectly transfers from buying food to gradually buying iron sheets to replace the roof. It is a slow process, but I am determined to fix our home, step by step. The support I am receiving from GiveDirectly gives me hope that I can take care of my family and our needs, even in the face of so many challenges."

"I am optimistic that all my children will successfully finish their education. The assistance we've received from GiveDirectly has been essential in supporting our children's educational needs. A portion of the funds has also been used to buy food for our family due to our decreased food supplies. Unfortunately, our maize farm has suffered because of insufficient rainfall. Nonetheless, if we manage to harvest a substantial amount of maize in the coming season, I intend to use part of my transfer for our children's school fees. Additionally, I hope to acquire some livestock, specifically goats, as they can reproduce and provide extra income for our family's needs. Eventually, once the goats increase in number, I plan to trade them for cows, which can be more profitable. This is my focus, particularly as my older children are about to start secondary school. We do not have steady jobs, my spouse runs a small house construction business, and I assist him with farming, although this can be inconsistent due to unreliable rainfall. Because of this, we need to prepare by establishing an alternative source of income hence the reason why I want to invest part of my transfer in goat rearing. All in all I am grateful to GiveDirectly because since I began receiving these transfers, my financial stress has decreased, my children are receiving meals without going hungry, and I can pay their school fees on time."

"Upon receiving my latest transfer, I used $10 to settle a debt from a shop incurred when I had no food at home. Additionally, I purchased $38 worth of food for my family since our supplies were low. I also paid $14 in school fees for my child who is in second grade. I save part of my transfer in our merry-go-round for future investments, so from this recent transfer, I allocated $20 for savings. I'm thankful for the financial support that has made life easier. Without GiveDirectly, we would have faced significant challenges, especially since the prices of goods continue to rise daily."

"I have eight children in my home, six of whom attend school while the other two are still too young to enroll. My spouse is involved in the fish business, while I produce and sell charcoal to help support our family. We are grateful for the financial assistance we received from GiveDirectly, which has significantly helped us with our children's school fees. Previously, our kids were often sent home due to unpaid balances, but now we are able to pay their fees on time, so they are no longer sent home as frequently as before. Recently, I received a transfer and used $102 to reduce the fee balances for all six of my children, ensuring they could sit for their end-of-term exams."