"We currently live on less than an acre of land where I manage all our activities, including keeping goats, sheep, and chickens. Unfortunately, these animals often ruin my crops, making it difficult to sustain our farming efforts. Since our land is near the river, it’s ideal for crop farming; however, I realized I needed to buy another piece of land to build our house and keep the livestock separate. I paid $200 for half an acre of land, and I plan to clear the remaining $100 with my final transfer, ensuring I can dedicate our original land purely to crop production. Additionally, our living situation had become quite uncomfortable; we’ve been sleeping on old maize bags because we did not have a mattress, which made our nights rough. The bed board has hurt our backs for years, so with part of my transfer, I purchased two mattresses, one for me and one for my children, each costing $50. Food has also been a challenge since I lost my maize to floods earlier this year. I had to rely on casual jobs and charcoal production to provide for my four children, so I used some of the funds to buy maize for $38 and condiments for $30, addressing our immediate food needs. To further support our food security, I rented half an acre of land for $25, where I plan to plant maize. I hope this will help us reduce our food costs in the future. Moreover, I realized how long it had been since we bought new clothes, as we had been relying on secondhand items. I spent $50 on new clothes for my children, and their joy was noticeable. The remaining $7 went toward transporting these items home from town."

"I have three children in secondary school, and raising their fees has been a significant challenge, especially for the one in Form Four, where a zero balance is required. The accumulated arrears stood at $790. To meet these expenses, I rely heavily on crop and livestock farming, which has been manageable in previous years. However, I lost three acres of seed maize this year to floods, which would have helped clear the fees. As a result, I had to sell 14 goats and sheep, leaving me with only the young ones. When I received my second transfer, I decided to commit the entire amount to school fees, ensuring that my children’s education continued uninterrupted. I have planted an acre and a half of beans, and with a successful harvest, I will use the proceeds to clear the remaining balance."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I decided to prioritize my children's education and the well-being of my family. My son is currently in junior secondary school, and I enrolled him in boarding, which cost me $105. His school recommended boarding due to the long distance and the dangers of crossing the river, especially after the recent flood incident. Additionally, I have a daughter in high school who had accumulated $200 in unpaid school fees. I had no idea how I would settle her fees, but with this transfer, I was able to clear the arrears, which brought me peace of mind. As a crop farmer, I used $50 for land preparation, intending to plant maize on my one-acre farm. The proceeds from this harvest will help sustain us in the future. To create a lasting memory of the support I received from GiveDirectly, I bought a goat worth $60, which will also help us in the long run. With the remaining funds, I purchased food items like beans and maize to keep us going as we wait for the crops in the field to mature. This cash transfer has truly relieved a great burden and allowed me to plan for our needs with confidence."

"GiveDirectly has done an excellent job in ensuring that the enrollment process is fair and transparent. What I appreciated most was that the enrollment was independent, with no involvement from community leaders, which made the process unbiased and gave everyone an equal chance. The officers were very patient throughout the process, taking time to ensure that we understood everything clearly before moving forward. After enrollment, an audit was conducted to verify that all details were correct, which gave us confidence that the system was being properly managed. The mode of receiving transfers was also effective, as everyone received the money through personal phones, making it reliable. In my opinion, GiveDirectly's approach is highly effective, and I haven't identified any areas in need of improvement. I hope they continue with the same methods moving forward."

"Beside crop farming, with the challenges I have experienced through droughts and floods, I am planning to invest more in goats. Unlike crops, goats do well and are not affected as much by climate shocks, making them a more reliable source of income. This investment will help me address important needs like school fees for my children and daily household expenses. Additionally, the goats will provide a steady milk supply for my family, reducing the need to buy milk. To reach my goal, I plan to save money from charcoal production and use part of my final transfer to purchase at least ten goats."

"I am a fisherman and for the longest time I have been using a hand made canoe to fish. Recently, the water levels in the lake have risen making it difficult to manuvour hence a reduction in the quantity. Also, getting raw materials for making a bigger one has been hindered by floods. This has greatly reduced the amount of money I earn hence hindering my plans."

"Upon receiving the $180 from GiveDirectly, I decided to invest in my family’s future. I used $140 to buy two goats, which will provide us with milk and serve as a source of income. Having goats will also be helpful in times of emergencies, as they can be sold if needed. Additionally, I bought food because we were struggling with hunger, and it was important for my family to have enough to eat. Now, we feel more secure knowing that we have both food and a way to generate income for our needs."

"Upon receiving $200 from GiveDirectly, I decided to address my most pressing issues. I used $80 to buy food for my family, as it has become increasingly difficult to have enough to eat. Ensuring that we have sufficient food is a priority for me. I then spent $110 to build a toilet, which we desperately needed. Before this, we had no proper place to relieve ourselves, and I knew this was a significant health risk for my family. Now that we have a toilet, I feel relieved knowing that my family can maintain better hygiene and health."

"For this year and the years to come, my primary goal is to stay focused on farming. I believe that farming will provide the necessary capital to boost my business and increase my sources of income. With this additional income, I can give my family the kind of life I desire, filled with comfort and opportunities. I want to become a remarkable woman and mother who can support her children and help them achieve their dreams. By dedicating myself to farming and my business, I am building a better future for my family and myself."

"Now that I have a generator, my goal is to buy more pipes so I can pump water from a longer distance. This will allow me to irrigate my farm more effectively and help ensure that my farming venture is sustainable. I am excited about the possibilities this brings, as it will improve my crop yields and provide more food for my family. The thought of expanding my farming capabilities fills me with joy, and I feel hopeful about the future. I am incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly for their support, which has made this life upgrade possible."