"Receiving my transfer, I knew it would be crucial in helping me get back on my feet. First, I used $200 to pay my children’s school fees, $100 for each of them. One of my daughters is in university, and the other is in secondary school, and both had accumulated a total of $760 in arrears. I rely heavily on crop farming for my livelihood, but the floods wiped out everything I had planted, leaving us in a difficult situation. I also bought 15 iron sheets for $158 to start building a house for my children, as their room where they sleep was damaged by the floods, and during rains, it rains inside. They are still sleeping in that room, which stresses me as a mother, so I decided to start plans for the construction. Additionally, I spent $50 on 10 posts to support the structure. To cover transport costs, I spent $20, and I used the remaining $22 to buy food. After losing my crops to the floods, food has been a struggle to get since it was our main source of sustenance."

"Where I used to live was prone to floods, and after experiencing repeated losses, I knew I had to make a change. Therefore, upon receiving the GiveDirectly money, I decided to demolish my old house and relocate to higher ground, where it would be safer for my family. I spent a total of $250 to build a new house, using $100 to buy iron sheets, $100 for frames and posts, and $50 to pay for labor. Since I had lost all my crops to the floods, I also needed to think about our future food supply and income; thus, I spent $50 to prepare land and buy bean seeds for planting. Additionally, I set aside another $50 for crop management practices to ensure the beans grow well and can support us in the long term. Furthermore, I spent $70 on food because, at the time, we lacked enough after losing nearly two acres of maize to the flood. Finally, I used the remaining amount to buy clothes for my children, ensuring they had decent attire and could feel the positive impact of GiveDirectly's support."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I saw it as a chance to rebuild my life after the floods disrupted my business earlier this year. I had opened a tailoring shop after completing a course, but just two months into operations, the floods forced me to close down. With this transfer, I decided to reopen my business, but this time, I expanded it to include a shop alongside tailoring, as the income from tailoring alone was not enough. I spent $145 on redesigning the interior, putting up shelves, and adding wire mesh to make the shop more organized and secure. I also used $235 to buy stock for the shop, and with the remaining amount, I cleared a $70 debt to restore electricity in our home after it was disconnected due to unpaid bills. Now, we have light again, and my business is back up, offering both tailoring services and shop goods to increase my income. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Before, I struggled to provide for my family by selling charcoal, but the income was not enough. It became even harder after my wife and I separated, leaving me as the sole provider for our children. With the cash, I was able to buy enough food for my children, which has made a huge difference because we no longer go hungry. Now, I feel more secure knowing I can feed my family, and I am hopeful that things will continue to improve. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I have plans to focus on livestock keeping, particularly by expanding my goat herd. To prepare for this, I used part of my cash transfer to buy posts for fencing my land, which cost me $30, and I paid $3 for labor. I am older now and no longer have the strength to do heavy work, so securing my land for the goats is a priority. Additionally, I am part of a merry-go-round savings group, where we contribute whatever we can manage. I have been contributing $2 regularly and once borrowed $35, which I repaid, along with my usual $2 contribution. Furthermore, I used part of the transfer to buy food, as I no longer work aside from caring for my few livestock, spending $45 on essentials. The remaining amount I distributed among my children to help support them and their families, as they are still struggling to make ends meet. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"Before I received cash from GiveDirectly, my children and I used to sit on stones because we had nothing else. We fled from our previous home in a hurry, escaping the war, and had to leave everything behind, including our chairs. Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, we now have chairs to sit on, and it feels like a small but significant change in our lives. The relief I feel, knowing I can provide such basic comforts for my family, is something I will never take for granted. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"We currently reside in a small one-room house. With my transfers, I plan to build a two-room house with a verandah to better support my family. To achieve this, I have been investing part of my transfers in purchasing goats, as they are easy to rear and thrive well in our area. I intend to sell some once their numbers have increased significantly. The income generated will help me buy building materials to realize my dream house. Moreover, the walls of my current house are weak, and I worry that it might collapse if heavy rains occur. Therefore, I am allocating part of my transfer to start acquiring some building materials in preparation for construction."

"My primary focus right now is renovating my house, which urgently needs repairs due to its poor condition. Two of its walls and part of the roof are severely damaged because of its age, making the risk of collapse very high. Over the past three months, I have used cash transfers to purchase building materials and begin the renovation process. However, the work is not yet complete. I plan to use the upcoming transfers to buy the remaining materials and finish the renovations. I am exhausted from constantly worrying about harsh weather and the fear that the house might collapse and harm us. I believe that once this dream is realized, I will finally have peaceful nights free from worry, and my family will feel safe and secure again."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to invest in goat rearing. At first, I considered purchasing cows, but due to the current drought, many cattle owners have faced significant losses as most of their cows perished from the lack of water. Therefore, I have decided against raising cattle. To reach my goal, I intend to allocate a portion of my monthly transfer from Givedirectly to invest in goats. I also have aspirations of attending college, which is why I came up with this idea; once the goats multiply sufficiently, I can sell some and use the funds to further my education. My spouse has also guaranteed his support for my educational pursuits, so I am hopeful that in the coming year and beyond, I will be able to enroll in college and pursue my desired course of study."

"We live in a dry region prone to extreme droughts during the dry season, which has greatly affected our livelihood. Agriculture is often futile here; whenever we try to grow crops, the intense heat and lack of water cause them to dry up, leaving us with significant losses.Our family’s primary source of income is livestock keeping, which we depend on for basic needs and to pay school fees for our children. However, during the dry season, our livestock suffer immensely due to a lack of pasture and water. The harsh conditions make it incredibly difficult to care for them, and we often watch helplessly as their health deteriorates.The drought not only threatens our livestock but also pushes us to the brink as a family, struggling to manage our lives and meet essential needs. These challenges weigh heavily on us, especially when we think about the future of our children and how to sustain their education amid such hardships."