"They took the time to explain everything clearly and treated us with dignity, which made me feel valued. The money we received was truly life-changing—it allowed my family to make decisions that were right for us. What I appreciated most was the freedom to decide for myself how to use the money; no one told me what to do with it, and that trust made a big difference. Honestly, I wouldn’t change a thing about the program. It’s simple, fair, and empowering, and that’s what makes it work so well."

"When I received the cash transfer, the first thing I thought about was building a better house. My family and I were living in a small, cramped structure, and we needed more space to live comfortably. I used $300 to purchase 20 iron sheets and other materials to construct a new house. Now, we have a home with enough room for everyone, and it feels safe and secure. Seeing my children sleep peacefully under a proper roof has been the greatest joy for me. I then used $100 to buy household food items. With this money, I was able to stock up on essentials like maize, beans, and cooking oil. For the first time in a long while, we didn’t have to worry about where the next meal would come from. It has given me peace of mind, knowing that my family is food secure and well-fed. The remaining money went toward buying a sheep. I saw it as an investment for the future. Sheep are valuable here because they multiply quickly, and they can be sold if we ever need urgent funds."

"When the GiveDirectly staff visited us at home, it truly touched my heart because it showed they genuinely cared about us, not just as recipients but as people. Their visit felt personal and reassuring, and their warmth and respect made it easy to share our needs openly. They treated us with dignity, and their kindness stood out to me. I cannot think of anything they need to change because everything, from their process to their attitude, was done perfectly. The support they gave me has changed my life, and I am deeply grateful."

"My ultimate goal in life is to own rental houses that will provide us with a steady income in the future. To achieve this dream, I have been buying goats using my previous transfers, and I plan to purchase more with a portion of my future transfers. I hope these goats will multiply, increasing both in number and value over time, which will help me buy a piece of land. Once I have that land, I will gradually purchase building materials using the proceeds from selling our goats, eventually fulfilling my long-held dream of building rental houses. However, with the current drought and hunger, I intend to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food for my family until we receive enough rain and have sufficient food. Once our food needs are met, I will redirect those transfers toward my ultimate goal of establishing rental houses. I am truly grateful for this support, as it empowers me to care for my family while working toward a brighter future."

"I have a small shop where I sell household consumables like maize flour, sugar, etc, and this business has been incredibly good to me as it has been helping me take care of my family. I see so much growth potential, and I am determined to make it even bigger. I plan to expand my shop using the transfers I will be receiving from GiveDirectly. Currently, the physical structure of my shop is small and in need of more space, so I have decided to build a larger area that will comfortably store my stock. I intend to use a portion of the transfers and a part of my business profits for this expansion. I will be overjoyed once this new space is ready, as it will enable me to serve my customers better. Additionally, I took a solar panel on credit, and I need to repay it. Right now, I have a balance of $170 to clear, and I plan to use another portion of my profits to settle this debt while reinvesting a portion back into the business to ensure its growth. I am truly grateful for the opportunities ahead and the support that helps me provide for my family."

"My health is slowly deteriorating, but that will not stop me from working hard to provide for my family. As I continue to receive medical attention with the help of the transfers from GiveDirectly, I am determined to establish a sustainable source of income. My plan is to use a portion of these transfers to buy livestock from the village and sell them at the market for a profit. I have experience in this business; I used to run it successfully, but I had to pause due to unavoidable circumstances. Now, I am eager to revive it because it was incredibly helpful in supporting my family. I truly believe that with this venture, I will be able to provide for my family more comfortably and with fewer struggles. I am filled with hope and optimism that this plan will lead to success. I know that with hard work and determination, I can turn things around for us."

"My husband and I acquired a solar panel on credit, which requires us to make monthly repayments to keep it active. We have been diligently using a portion of our transfers to ensure we stay on top of this debt and do not default. My plan for the coming year is to continue making these repayments until we are completely free of the obligation. I am not entirely sure how much is left, as my husband is in charge of the details, but I am confident that we are close to clearing the remaining balance. Once we have paid off the solar panel, I intend to allocate part of our transfers to purchase goats. I have high hopes for this investment; I envision the goats multiplying and increasing in value, ultimately providing an invaluable asset for my family. This will not only support my children’s education but also serve as a safety net for our family, especially when this program comes to an end. I feel a sense of determination and optimism as I look forward to building a brighter future for us all."

"As a mother of 11 children, my greatest desire is to see all of them in school, receiving the education they deserve. At the moment, only three of my children are enrolled in school, while some who are of school-going age remain at home because I do not have the financial means to enroll them. This situation weighs heavily on my heart, but it also fuels my determination to find a solution. To address this, I have prioritized investing in goats using a portion of my transfers, while using another portion to pay school fees for those who are already in school. This strategy gives me hope. By nurturing and growing my herd of goats, I envision them multiplying, increasing in both number and value. Over time, I plan to sell some of them to generate the funds needed to enroll the other children and continue supporting those already in school. This approach is not just a plan; it is my pathway to giving all my children a chance at a brighter future. I am filled with optimism and confidence that it will work out, allowing me to fulfill my dream of seeing every one of my children educated and empowered. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for their unwavering support. Their assistance has provided me with the means to take these important steps toward securing my children’s future, and I remain hopeful and excited for what lies ahead."

"As I have shared before, one of my biggest dreams is to own cows. To make this dream a reality, I have been using my transfers from GiveDirectly to invest in goats and chickens. My plan is to continue dedicating a portion of my transfers to purchasing more chickens and goats. My hope is that the chickens will multiply, giving me the opportunity to trade some of them for goats. Over time, the goats I acquire through trade and those purchased with transfers will also multiply, allowing me to exchange them for female cows. I envision these female cows not only growing in number but also providing my family with milk, significantly improving our nutrition. The idea of having a stable source of nourishment for my family fills me with hope and determination. Looking further ahead, I dream of starting a business. While I have not yet decided on the exact nature of this business, I am optimistic that, with time, I will develop a clear vision that I can bring to life. To fund this future endeavor, I plan to sell some of my cows, using the proceeds as starting capital. This plan gives me immense hope for the future, and I am deeply grateful for the support we continue to receive from GiveDirectly. Their assistance is not just helping me meet my current needs but also empowering me to work towards a brighter, more secure future for my family."

"I have been renovating my house for quite some time and I am happy to share that I am in the final stages of the renovations. It fills me with immense pride and happiness to see this dream nearly realized. My plan for the coming year and beyond is to use a portion of my transfers from GiveDirectly to complete the remaining repairs, ensuring that my family has a safe, secure, and comfortable place to call home. This house represents not only shelter but a symbol of stability and hope for our future. However, a devastating drought that has gripped our region remains a pressing challenge exposing us to hunger.. Until the rains come and we can secure sustainable food, I intend to continue using part of my transfers to buy food for us. The peace of mind that comes with knowing my family has enough to eat is truly invaluable. Looking ahead, I plan to invest in growing my herd of goats, adding to the few I already own. My hope is that these goats will multiply and increase in value, providing a reliable and sustainable source of income for my family in the future. This venture is not just about survival; it is about creating a foundation that I can build upon to support my family for years to come. I am profoundly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly. These transfers have been a lifeline, enabling me to care for my family during difficult times and build a brighter, more secure future."