"As a solar agent primarily compensated through commissions, I serve as the financial provider for my wife and younger siblings who are still attending school. In a favorable month, my earnings amount to $240. However, a significant portion, $80, is allocated to transportation costs as I often sell solar lamps and panels in locations distant from my residence. Consequently, I am left with only $160, which proves insufficient to sustain my family for an entire month. Fortunately, GiveDirectly played a focal role in realizing my aspiration of owning a motorcycle. Upon receiving the second transfer, I utilized $530 from the funds, along with some cash I had saved from the initial transfer, to acquire my own red motorbike. I believe this investment will enable me to save a considerable portion of my business income, alleviating the financial strain on my family. I am pleased to no longer bear the burden of covering transportation expenses for my family, allowing me to redirect the saved funds towards addressing other essential needs within the household."

"Together with my family, we have made the decision to set aside a portion of my future transfers for several months. This saving initiative aims to facilitate my access to a correctional facility, where I can receive the necessary support to improve and pursue a better life. I am elated by the financial support, recognizing its pivotal role in my journey towards recovery. Without this assistance, the level of poverty within my family would have hindered my ability to seek help at the correctional facility."

"Looking ahead, my intention in the forthcoming months is to utilize my transfers to finalize the remaining tasks on the walls and acquire a new wooden bed and mattress. The replacement of my broken sisal bed and the addition of a mattress are essential to alleviate the back pains I have been experiencing. I am profoundly thankful for the financial assistance, which has played a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of my life."

"I received a second transfer from GiveDirectly of$450. I decided to invest $100 in acquiring a one-acre piece of land through a hiring arrangement. This move was prompted by the need to increase our agricultural productivity, as I had been renting a quarter piece of land for the past few years. In 2012, we relocated due to security issues and initially rented a quarter acre since we don't have our own, but now I've expanded to a full acre. $140 went towards purchasing two goats. Adding them to the one we bought earlier with our first transfer, we now have three goats. Goats thrive well in our area, and we envision them playing a crucial role in securing our children's education and meeting other family needs. Despite relying on farming, its unpredictability, influenced by erratic rainfall patterns, sometimes results in no harvest. My husband and I also engage in casual jobs to supplement our income and ensure our eight children meet their needs. we purchased food for $80, a challenging expense given the unpredictable nature of our income. To improve our living conditions, I spent $60 on iron sheets to build a room for my children. The previous structure had collapsed due to ant infestation, a common issue in our area. Additionally, I invested $65 in household items to enhance our home, as some of our belongings were old and few. This financial support has significantly improved our living conditions, offering hope for a more stable and secure future."

"Facing financial constraints, I had to halt my tailoring course, but my determination for self-improvement drives me to resume and complete it in the coming years. Recognizing the potential for income, I plan to invest in poultry keeping, focusing on egg-laying chickens. This venture aims to supply eggs to our small town, generating funds to meet our basic needs. Additionally, I intend to channel more efforts into agriculture, specifically cultivating pepper, as it proves to be highly profitable in our local area. These strategic steps aim to not only enhance my skills but also create sustainable sources of income for a more secure future."

"In the midst of the rainy season, around 4 in the evening, I was knee-deep on my farm, diligently planting maize under the gentle patter of raindrops. The rhythmic sounds of nature were interrupted by the loud vibrations of my phone. Illiterate but not devoid of hope, I turned to my son, who was accompanying me, and asked him to decipher the message. As he relayed the news that I had received my first unconditional cash transfer from GiveDirectly, a surge of joy swept over me. In that instant, amid the mud and the rain, a simple truth emerged: we could finally afford a meal that evening. The burden of scarcity that had been a persistent challenge seemed to lift, replaced by a sense of relief and gratitude for the unexpected support that promised not just sustenance for a day but a glimmer of hope for the rainy seasons ahead."

"Since I began getting money from GiveDirectly, the biggest change in my life is the happiness in my family. Now, my family is healthy because we drink fresh water. Before, my kids were getting sick from the river water, but that has changed. Another big change is in my maize farm. I'm waiting for a big harvest, and that's something new. Usually, I couldn't afford fertilizer for my crops, but now, with the help I get, I can. It means my farm is healthier, and I'm expecting more maize than before. The changes in my family's health and the success of my farm make me really happy. It's like a brighter future for all of us."

"Since I began getting transfers from GiveDirectly, the most significant change has been in our meals. Before, finding enough food was hard work and exhausting. Now, with the regular transfers, the burden of hunger has become smaller. I don't have to struggle so much just to make sure there's enough to eat. The impact goes beyond the table. The biggest change is the happiness in my family. As a single father with three kids, it's amazing to see how the atmosphere at home has shifted. The worry about where our next meal will come from has lessened, and that brings a lot of joy. It's not just about food; it's about the comfort and security that regular support has brought to our lives. With this help, our family is now happier, and that's a change I treasure every day."

"I am still keeping the money yet to pay the owner."

"As a newly married woman I know that I will grow my family and have children. I would want to have the financial capacity to take care of my family as it grows even as my husband provides. I decided on the grocery business as food is something people have all the time. I knew I would have business all year round and so I knew that was the best business to invest in. I plan to expand this business further using the Givedirectly transfers. I want to add more things so that in the process I can get to a point where I am selling most things."