"The nature of livelihoods in our area is very challenging because, whenever your spouse lacks a decent job, he engages in looking after the animals while the wife gets involved in casual jobs to feed the husband. This has been the case for me and I find it difficult due to the strenuous nature of the jobs. Charcoal burning being the main casual work has drained my energy and I always feel weak. Thanks to God, this season we had good produce on our farms. I, therefore, consider the lack of a reliable source of income as my biggest challenge."

"Imagine depending on subsistence farming as the only source of livelihood! This has disadvantaged my household because anything that requires cash has been affected negatively. The most affected ones are my children who have missed decent education due to the burden of school fees. This has robbed away my joy as a mother and my hope now is on the young children who are still in lower classes. The feeling of not achieving my life goal of educating my children is what has made my life so miserable. I have, therefore, thought of financial constraints as what has made my life harder."

"Living in a polygamous family has contributed to the poor livelihood I am currently facing. This is because my husband's health status has pushed him to remain idle at home since he has hypertension. This is to mean we depend on subsistence farming as the main source of food. The most affected ones in the household are my children who have lacked decent education due to financial constraints. At the moment, I have no record of any child who has attended high school level. The young son who completed his primary level is also yet to join secondary school, something that gives me sleepless nights. Hence, the lack of a reliable source of income becomes my biggest challenge."

"I haven't noticed any issues with GiveDirectly, and in my opinion, they should maintain their current programs. I'm genuinely grateful and happy about the assistance they've provided. Their interventions have made a positive impact on my life, and I appreciate the support they've offered. I believe they're doing a great job, and I'm content with their current approach."

"After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I carefully allocated the money to address various needs in my family. I used $200 to pay school fees for my child who is currently in Form Two. Since I started receiving transfers, she has been able to consistently attend school, leading to noticeable improvements in her grades. To boost my kiosk business, which I have been running for over ten years, I allocated $100. The income from the business has proven helpful in covering expenses like school shopping for all my children. Recognizing the need for a more comfortable living situation for my growing family, I used $21 to build a small house. With five kids, including two grown boys, providing them with a place to sleep and have privacy became a priority. Around Christmas time, I allocated $6 to celebrate the festive season. I bought new clothes and food for all my five kids, bringing joy and happiness to our family gathering. Lastly, I used $4 to ensure there was enough food for my family. This has significantly eased the previous struggles we faced in ensuring everyone had a meal. The impact of the GiveDirectly transfers has not only addressed immediate needs but has also contributed to the overall well-being and happiness of my family."

"I manage a shop that sells various products, including groceries. However, the current structure is built with mud, which is temporary and raises concerns about possible break-ins by robbers. To improve its security and durability, I plan to renovate the shop using bricks. To achieve this goal, I intend to obtain sufficient building materials, such as cement, sand, and bricks. This initiative is driven by the need to reinforce the structure, ensure the safety of my inventory, and provide a more secure environment for the business. To finance this renovation project, I have set a monthly savings target, aiming to gradually accumulate the necessary funds until the goal is achieved."

"I have two children who are currently attending school. One is in high school and the other one has recently enrolled in junior high school. Since I rely on subsistence farming and livestock care, which do not provide a steady income, the transfers that I receive represent my only source of income. As a parent, my main goal is to ensure that my children receive uninterrupted education that enables them to achieve their dreams. Therefore, my specific aim is to use the transfers to pay their school fees on time and cover all their educational expenses. This way, I can prevent any risk of them being sent home or facing any discontinuation of their studies."

"In the next few years, my main goal is to buy a motorcycle. I have a specific reason for this - it's going to be a game-changer for my business plans. I aspire to become a goat broker, and having a motorbike will be super helpful. With it, I can easily transport goats from the villages to the town for selling. This way, I can kickstart my business and make it more efficient. The motorcycle is like my key to unlocking opportunities in the goat-selling business, making things smoother and more profitable."

"The positive outcomes I've experienced on my farm, particularly in cultivating watermelons, potatoes, and maize, serve as a motivating force to further invest in this agricultural venture. Presently engaged in harvesting watermelon, the anticipation of a bumper yield instills confidence in the prospect of earning a substantial income upon the completion of sales. I express profound happiness and gratitude for the financial support provided through the transfers, which has facilitated my involvement in a fulfilling economic activity that generates income and aligns with my passion."

"I have been saving a portion of my transfers every month in our local merry-go-round with the sole purpose of renovating my house. Unfortunately, one of the walls of my house collapsed during the recent rains, leaving the interior exposed. To prevent a complete collapse, I had to urgently reinforce and support it with sturdy poles and cover it temporarily with canvas fabric. Living in this compromised house has left me feeling unsettled, as I fear its collapse during heavy downpours. Saving $20 every month for this purpose has been my dedicated effort, and my primary goal is to use these savings to purchase cement, sand, and bricks, enabling me to undertake a comprehensive renovation and create a more permanent and stable living space. By achieving this goal, I aspire to not only secure a safer shelter but also to regain a sense of dignity in my living conditions."