"I have been living with my family, which includes my elderly spouse, my co-wife, and our six children, at my brother-in-law's compound. My desire has always been to buy my land and build a home for my family since the daily conflicts with my brother made us feel like a burden to him. However, due to the financial hardships I face as the sole breadwinner, relying on any job that comes my way, I lacked the resources to buy my land. When I received my transfer, I prioritized this goal and was able to acquire the land. This has made the biggest difference in my daily life because now my children will have a place of their own to build their homes, and it’s also a valuable asset for us. In addition, we will now avoid the ongoing family conflict, bringing peace of mind to my family."

"I have been living with my family, which includes my elderly spouse, my co-wife, and our six children, at my brother-in-law's compound. My desire has always been to buy my land and build a home for my family since the daily conflicts with my brother made us feel like a burden to him. However, due to the financial hardships I face as the sole breadwinner, relying on any job that comes my way, I lacked the resources to buy my land. When I received my transfer, I prioritized this goal and was able to acquire the land. This has made the biggest difference in my daily life because now my children will have a place of their own to build their homes, and it’s also a valuable asset for us. In addition, we will now avoid the ongoing family conflict, bringing peace of mind to my family."

"In the coming months, I plan to use the remaining transfers to pay the required labor fees to finalize the construction of the house. Once the house is fully completed, my next goal is to start a kiosk business. Establishing this business will diversify my income sources and provide me with additional financial stability to support my family. I am already a member of a savings group and intend to save more once the house is complete, so I can accumulate enough capital to launch the business next year. I am deeply appreciative of the support from GiveDirectly, which has empowered me to make significant strides towards my goals, especially rebuilding my home and planning for a more secure financial future."

"I spent my unconditional cash transfer wisely to improve my life. First, I bought four sheep for $80 because they multiply quickly. I already had four goats, so this will help me grow my livestock. Next, I purchased a mattress for $30. I had never owned a mattress since moving here and had been sleeping on sacks. Now, I sleep well every night, which makes a big difference in how I feel during the day. I also bought clothes for $30 because I wanted to look nice when going out. Before this, I didn't have beautiful clothes, and it affected my confidence. Now, I feel much better about myself and walk around with my head held high. Additionally, I bought two plastic chairs for $15 because I needed somewhere for visitors to sit when they come over. This has made my home feel more welcoming. Finally, I spent $16 on a water container to help with storage. Having enough water is important, especially during the dry season. With the remaining money, I bought household food items to ensure I had enough to eat. Overall, these purchases have improved my living conditions and made me feel happier and more secure."

"Financial constraints stands out to be my biggest challenge. This is because, I am currently a housewife despite having the desire to enroll in a technical college to learn beauty and therapy course. Being jobless has made me feel as a burden to my husband. The only job that we majorly depend on is his motorbike taxi which earns him very little, usually $5.4 per day. This income goes to food and we lack even a coin to save for our future. The feeling of jobless and the lack of money to venture into what I inspire to do in life is what has robbed away my happiness."

"When I received the cash transfer, I used $80 of it to pay the school fees for my three children who attend a nearby academy. I had fallen behind on payments because I couldn’t afford it after the maize and tomatoes we planted were destroyed by floods. We had hoped the harvest would cover the fees, but the floods ruined that plan. I was so relieved to finally clear the arrears. With $20, I was able to pay off a debt I had taken some time ago to cover farming costs. The debt had lingered for a while, and the interest kept going up, making it difficult to repay. It felt good to settle that debt and ease the burden it had placed on me. I used another $40 to buy clothes and shoes for my children. They needed to look presentable, and it gave me great joy to see them well-dressed. The remaining $60 was spent on household food items, which was a relief as it ensured we had enough to eat for a while. The cash transfer helped us cover these essential needs, and I’m grateful for the support."

"My main challenge had been paying school fees for my children, as I had struggled so much to make ends meet. I depended on my hotel business, where I earned $3 a day, but this was barely enough to cover all our needs and pay school fees on time. I was worried that my children might miss the opportunity to continue their studies. My other son had finished secondary school, but since we had no money, he was forced to stay home instead of proceeding to college. Now, I’m happy because he is back in school. Thanks to the cash transfers, I was able to pay his fees, and he is now on the right track. As a family, we are incredibly grateful and happy because if it weren’t for these cash transfers, my son wouldn’t have joined college, and my other children in primary school might have dropped out a long time ago. I can’t thank this organization enough, and I’m confident that my children will have a brighter future, which I believe will break the cycle of poverty that has affected us for so long."

"My children's education has been my top priority, but I have faced many challenges regarding their schooling, as paying their fees has been a constant struggle. This has forced them to be on and off from school, and the arrears have accumulated to the point where the teachers can no longer keep them enrolled. This has pained me greatly, as my dream has always been to see them achieve good grades and become responsible members of society in the future. Therefore, when I received the cash, I paid $384 to cover the fees for my three children, one in college, one in secondary school, and the other in primary school. I feel a sense of peace knowing that I have finally sent them back to school and covered the fees for the remaining months of the year. This motivates them and guarantees that they will perform well in their academics. Another challenge I faced was our sanitation. I never owned a pit latrine, and for a long time, I had to use those of my neighbours. This was uncomfortable, and sometimes my children resorted to going into the bush, putting them at high risk of exposure to diseases. Therefore, I used $150 to buy building materials to construct my pit latrine. I feel very relieved that I will no longer be the subject of ridicule as I have been before. Finally, I ran a hotel business and had been renting a stall from a friend. I used $16 from the transfers to start building my stall, allowing me to avoid paying monthly rent. This will help me save good profits in the future, as everything I earn will be mine."

"I was at a burial in a nearby village when my phone buzzed with a message notification. At first, I didn't pay it much attention since I was caught up in the event, but a few minutes later, I heard murmurs around me. People were talking excitedly, saying they had received their GiveDirectly transfers. That’s when I quickly checked my phone, and sure enough, there it was—the message from GiveDirectly! I couldn't contain my happiness at that moment. My mind instantly flashed to my children, and I knew I could finally pay their school fees. It felt like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders."

"Before I received the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, I was in a tough spot. I didn't know how I was going to pay my daughter's school fees. She had been sent home several times to collect the money, but each time she returned with nothing, which meant she would just be sent back again. It was heartbreaking because I knew how much she wanted to be in school, but I couldn't afford it. When the transfer came through, I was finally able to pay her fees. Now, she can stay in school without worrying about being sent home, and she can focus on her schoolwork like any child should. It's been the biggest relief for both of us."