"A reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband and I do casual jobs making little income that caters for food and school fees. I have eight children at school and most of the time they miss classes due to lack of school fees. This affects their performances."

"Before the transfer, getting money was always tough. But things started looking up when I received my second transfer; I opened a general shop for my wife. Our stock had gotten low because we gave out goods on credit and used some at home, but I decided we wouldn't do that anymore to keep our business healthy. Then, when my third transfer came in, I restocked our shop with items worth $100. I also spent another $100 on my goat-buying and selling business, which has been doing well; I buy goats for about $50 and sell them for almost $60. This business fits perfectly with our shop, giving us a steady flow of income. My wife takes care of the shop, while I handle the goats. Additionally, I paid $150 for my son's school fees for the next term believing in early preparations. I put another $100 into buying two goats adding to my existing herd, a move that's always been a backup for us, especially when we need extra cash for things like school fees where we could sell. This whole journey from financial struggles to finding some stability has been possible thanks to the support from GiveDirectly. I'm so grateful for the support. It has completely changed our lives for the better. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"With my three daughters still in school, I've decided to make a change. Instead of continuing the tough work of unsustainable charcoal production, I'm planning to start a small grocery shop selling vegetables and fruits. This way, I can support my girls' education while also moving away from the laborious tasks of charcoal making. It feels like the right step forward, providing for my family in a more sustainable . By diversifying our income sources, we won't just rely on the goats for financial stability."

"Before receiving the financial support, we struggled to cover school fees for our children, which created stress and uncertainty about our education. However, after receiving the transfer, we were able to clear the outstanding school fees and provide accommodation for the college students. This ensured that all our children could continue their education without interruption, allowing them to focus on their studies without the burden of financial worries. Also, our home, made of mud walls and lacking a concrete floor, was constantly dusty, leading to frequent illnesses. Despite our desire for a healthier living environment, financial constraints prevented us from making necessary improvements. However, with the transfers, we were able to renovate our house, resulting in a dust-free environment, hence reducing the frequency of illnesses. Additionally, purchasing mattresses for the children ensured they could sleep comfortably, contributing to their overall health and well-being. Witnessing our children sleeping peacefully and free from illness brings immense happiness and joy to the family."

"Financial instability is what stands out as my biggest challenge. This is because, we live in a polygamous family and my husband is jobless due to his old age. This has forced me to engage in casual jobs like charcoal burning to support the family. Since the income from this activity is low and can not be estimated due to the random nature of my activities, my children's education has been affected the most. My two daughters completed their senior secondary studies but they are yet to join college. This has worried me a lot because it can trigger them into unexpected early pregnancies due to the idleness at home. What a challenge!"

"Living at home alone is something that has affected me psychologically because I always get stressed especially during night hours. Considering my age, I feel so vulnerable and anything bad can happen to me. My house is also small and it's roof is half open, a situation that make me rained on during this rainy season. What a life to worry about! I have wished to have enough money to construct a decent house but this has never been possible. All these combined has complicated my life and It's what makes my life harder."

"The lack of a reliable source of income to my household is what stands out to be my biggest challenge. This is because, I depend on some casual jobs and subsistence farming which are not earning me enough to support my family of 6. The education for my children is what has been affected the most since they mostly stay at home for at least one week whenever they are sent out of school. This pain me most as a mother and it is this situation that has robbed away my joy."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I live in a one room house with an iron sheet roof. However, it leaks heavily during the rainy season. I spend sleepless nights when it rains during the night hours."

"My main objective is to renovate the roof of my house, which was built using iron sheets that have weakened over time. The roof currently leaks whenever it rains due to its dilapidated state. To address this issue, I have been purchasing new iron sheets in bits. So far, I have bought 14 pieces, and my target is to buy a total of 22 pieces. This will be enough to put up a new roof and restore my house to its former decency. This progress is made possible thanks to the monthly transfer I receive. It brings me great joy to know that soon I will no longer have to worry about the rains damaging my home. In addition to renovating my house, I plan to invest in buying more goats. I currently have seven, and my aim is to use them as a saving for my children's education in the future."

"I know that one day the transfers will come to an end. By that time, I wish to have invested some funds in livestock like goats and chickens. Owning livestock will be a critical source of income as I can sell them to raise cash for my four children's school fees. I believe that with the transfers, I can achieve this goal. It is something that I had desired to do for a long time, but the mere earnings I made from making charcoal barely made it past our food expenses."