"I have an eye injury that has totally incapacitated the vision of my left eye. Consequently I am not in a position to work in my farm nor tend to my livestock, mostly depending on my wife. Most times she gets overwhelmed with providing for me and my 7 children."

"Currently, I'm facing a lot of challenges including lack of money and the effects from the recent floods that riced our village. Since I depend on casual labor which is not consistent it has been very difficult for me to provide for my family. This has been made more challenging by the recent floods which destroyed our maize farm leaving us hopeless about the future. We had invested all our money on the farm with the hope of getting food and also money from the sale of the crops. However, we are left not knowing what the future will bring since we don't have enough money to replant the maize."

"My biggest challenge currently is where I live. Over the past 10 years we have lived together in our relatives house which we find very difficult because we don't have a place of our own. Recently, they have asked us to look for a place to move to which is challenging since we don't have money to purchase land or even build a house. We have three children which makes our situation even more dire."

"Over the years, my main focus has been supporting my children to finish school. Once they're done, especially with one in high school, I’m counting on them to join forces with me to achieve my dream of building our own house. Living with my parents isn't ideal, but it's a necessary compromise while I prioritize their education. Once they graduate and secure good jobs, we can work together towards our shared goal of having a place to call our own where we can all feel comfortable and secure. I plan to use the transfers and my charcoal business savings to reach this goal, and I believe it will be attainable."

"I run a motorcycle taxi business and also work as a farmer. Back in March 2024, I planted maize on a one-acre plot, hoping to provide food and income for myself and my family. Sadly, just a month later, flash floods swept through and wiped out all my crops, leaving my land barren. It hit me hard because I had leased that land and now I am struggling to recover from the losses. Right now, I cannot afford to lease another piece of land, and it breaks my heart. Not being able to grow my own food means I will have to buy it with the profits from my motorcycle taxi business. It is a challenging situation, but I am hoping for better days ahead."

"I am currently grappling with the challenge of raising school fees for my daughter who will be starting college in September 2024. As a family of seven relying on our grocery business, our income has been unpredictable lately. On good days, I make about $10 in profit, but sales have been declining, exacerbated by recent floods that wiped out our crops. This leaves me uncertain about how to finance my daughter's education. I am also reaching out to community resources and government support programs such as Higher Education Loans Board for any assistance available. It is a tough situation, but I am determined to find a way to support my daughter's dreams of a college education."

"In the next few months to come, I have plans that have been running through my mind for a while. First of all, I would want to acquire a pair of oxen on my homestead. With these cows, I can easily use them to plough my farm, making it easier to grow crops. Not only that, I plan to offer ploughing ing services to others for a fee, which will bring in extra money for my family since, for now, I do not have a reliable source of income to sustain my family. I am hoping to achieve all these using the incoming transfers that I have yet to receive, as well as with the help of my sons, who also rely on casual jobs."

"I have spent most of my life sheltering in a small, weak house that leaked uncontrollably whenever it rained. Last year, the rains were too much and my house collapsed. Since then, I have been staying in my son's house in the village, while he lives in town with his family. This situation has been challenging because my son no longer comes home with his family. I wanted to build a new house, but I couldn't afford the necessary building materials. I am grateful because GiveDirectly has empowered me to build a new house. With the transfer, I spent $380 on buying 26 iron sheets, nails, building poles, and partly paid for the labor cost. I am now in the process of building a new house so my son can have his own place and be free to come home with his family. Additionally, I purchased a new bed and mattress for $130. I had been using worn-out bedding and sleeping on the dusty ground, which was uncomfortable. I am happy that I can now sleep well on my new bedding. Lastly, I spent the remaining amount on buying foodstuffs to ensure my family had enough to eat and never lacked food."

"I went to the forest to gather firewood for cooking in the evening. Luckily, I had my phone with me. While I was busy collecting the firewood, I received a notification on my phone. Upon checking, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I felt really happy because this was the news I had been waiting for. Getting the transfer meant that I could turn my life around, as I had been facing financial difficulties after losing my job."

"When I received my unconditional cash transfer, I decided to invest $300 into my sewing business by purchasing more African fabric, school uniform fabric, and yarn. This decision was crucial because my sewing business has been a lifeline for me, allowing me to pay school fees for my two children and provide food for my family. To ensure the stability of my business, I also used $50 to pay the rent for my sewing shop. By boosting its capital, I hoped to increase my earnings and secure a better future for my family. In addition to strengthening my business, I used $165 to buy goats, viewing them as valuable assets that I could rely on in case of an emergency. I also spent $60 to buy ducks, which can similarly be utilized or sold when necessary. These livestock investments not only provide potential income sources but also contribute to our household's long-term financial security. With the remainder of the cash transfer, I purchased household food items and clothes for my children. This was essential to meet our immediate needs and ensure my children are well-fed and properly clothed. Overall, the cash transfer has allowed me to make strategic investments in both my business and assets, providing a stronger foundation for my family’s future."