"In the coming year and beyond, my main goal is to use a significant portion of my transfers to purchase food for my family. Since both my husband and I cannot work, the financial support from the transfers will be crucial in ensuring we have enough to eat. The harsh climatic conditions in our village make it impossible to grow food crops, forcing us to buy food at high prices from the local shopping center. This has put a strain on our limited resources, but the transfers will help alleviate this burden and reduce the financial strain on our son, who tirelessly tries to take care of his elderly parents. I am very grateful for the financial support, which has been a lifeline for us, ensuring that we can access our daily needs and maintain a sense of dignity and well-being. The support has significantly improved our quality of life, and I am hopeful that, with the continued assistance, we can remain resilient in the face of these challenging circumstances."

"In April, I found myself in a tight spot and had to borrow $100 from a close friend to pay my son’s school fees. He’s in Form 1, and I did not want him to be sent home for missing fees, as education is so important. The borrowed money helped, but I knew I had to repay her soon to avoid straining our friendship. So, when I received the cash transfer, I knew the first thing I had to do was pay her back, which I did, and in full. Next, I set aside $50 to cover my son’s school fees for this term. I did not want to take any chances of him missing classes and ensuring he stays in school gives me peace of mind. The remaining money went into my small restaurant business, which helps support our family. With $23, I bought a bale of baking flour, and for $8, I got cooking fat. These supplies ensure I can meet the demands of my regular customers and keep my business running smoothly. I feel relieved knowing my son is in school and my restaurant is stocked, allowing me to continue providing for my family."

"My house was carried away by the strong and fierce winds that struck our village, leaving me and my family homeless. In response to this, I constructed a small one-room structure where my husband, children, and I now sleep. For this coming year, I plan to build a two-room house where I and my family will live and have the space that we desire. To achieve this, I intend to use a portion of the transfers I receive from GiveDirectly to gradually buy building materials and eventually construct a larger house where my family can sleep comfortably. Currently, I have seven iron sheets, and I intend to purchase more sheets and other necessary materials as I can. This new home will provide us with peace of mind and privacy as my children grow. Once the house is complete, I plan to invest in more goats and chickens, hoping they will multiply. In the future, I aim to sell some of them and use the proceeds to support my family’s general welfare, including food, health care, and education. I am truly grateful for the opportunity that GiveDirectly has provided us."

"The financial support that I have been receiving from GiveDirectly has been constructive in my life, particularly when it comes to taking care of my family's well-being and educational needs. I have seven children in school, and their education is my top priority as it is the key to a better life in the future. My goal for this coming year and beyond is to ensure my children remain in school and continue their studies to completion. To provide my children with a pathway to a better future, I plan to use a portion of the transfers from GiveDirectly along with my earnings from my hustles to fund their education. As the breadwinner of our family, I don't have a stable job that provides a substantial income. Instead, I rely on making and selling charcoal, which yields very little. However, I'm grateful that the small earnings I do make help support my family. I am grateful for the transfers, as they have been helping me a lot to take care of my family because the earnings from the charcoal business alone are not enough."

"I used to work in a food-selling kiosk, and the experience I gained there enabled me to start my own kiosk using transfers I received from GiveDirectly. I was drawn to running a food business because I saw how profitable it could be. Currently, I earn a daily profit of around $15, and I’m genuinely happy with this venture. My goal is to expand my business, and I plan to use a portion of the transfers along with some of my profits for this purpose. Watching my business grow to the point where it can fully support itself and my family is my greatest desire, as I have always longed for financial stability. My children and I still live with my mother, and I have always dreamed of having our own home. To make this dream a reality, I've been saving part of my transfers and some of my business profits in our local savings group. Once the funds mature, I intend to combine them with the building materials I have already purchased to start constructing our house. This home will provide me and my children with a sense of belonging. I am truly grateful for the transfers, as they have allowed me to establish a business and will ultimately help me provide a home for my children."

"For the past six years, I’ve been living on my relative’s land after my own was submerged in water. My wish to buy land was not successful since I relied on casual jobs and charcoal production, which earned me an average of $3. I prioritized the needs of my family of five and couldn’t save anything. Upon receiving my second transfer, I decided to buy half an acre of land for $300. Additionally, to supplement my income, I bought two goats for $50 each. I had never owned goats before, but they do well in our area. My purpose for this is to provide milk for my family, and as the goats multiply, I will be able to sell them to address other needs. I also spent $35 on a mattress for my wife and me, giving our old one to our children, who had been using cowhide. Although we had maize at home, we lacked other essentials like sugar, so I used $10 for that and spent the remaining $5 on transport for my wife and me on our way back from the market where we bought our shopping."

"The biggest difference since I started receiving cash transfers from GiveDirectly has been in my mental health. Before, I was constantly stressed because we had no food, and my child in secondary school was about to be sent home due to unpaid school fees. As the breadwinner, it was incredibly difficult not having the money to take care of these important needs. GiveDirectly has enabled me to address these pressing issues, and the relief is indescribable. Now, I can sleep peacefully at night, knowing that my family has food and my child is still in school. I am much happier, and my family life has improved greatly compared to before. We are now able to live with less worry, and that has made all the difference for us."

"That day when the money came, I was very happy, a kind of joy I had never felt before. I was on my way back from my neighbor's house when I saw the message. I thought about calling my husband to tell him the news, but I decided to wait until he got home in the evening. When he arrived, I told him, and we all celebrated with our children. Everyone was happy. It felt like the whole village was happy too because I got so many calls from neighbors asking if I had received the money. The first thing I thought about was my two sons in college. I didn’t want them to be sent home or miss exams because of school fees, so I decided right away to pay for their fees and make things easier for them."

"Moving forward, my primary goal is to keep my children in school and ensure they continue learning without any obstacles. To achieve this, I plan to use part of my future transfers to cover their school fees. Additionally, I want to continue expanding my business by investing in more stock, which will help increase my income. I have also joined a savings group, where I contribute a portion of my earnings every month. Through this group, I hope to build up enough savings to qualify for a loan, which I can then use to further grow my business. I am truly appreciative of the financial support that has empowered me to pursue these goals and create a brighter future for my family."

"Without a stable source of income, it’s been a constant struggle for my husband and me to provide for our family. This situation has motivated me to start a small grocery business, which I believe will offer a more reliable source of income and help us meet our family’s needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from each transfer until I have enough capital to launch the business. Once I start, I hope to attract a steady stream of customers and generate a sustainable income. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which has empowered me to work toward a brighter future for my family."