"I have a leg problem, which means I cannot walk or even do heavy lifting. I depend on my daughter who does casual jobs such as fetching water or washing other people's clothes. In a day she can earn about $3 which is hardly enough for food. A family of six is difficult to feed especially with the high cost of food supplies. To further worsen our food crisis is the long drought seasons experienced here, it has really affected us."

"Collecting firewood for sale is not my dream job. But unfortunately,it is my everyday job. I go into thickets from where I collect firewood that earns me about $1 each day. With 5 children to feed, we have had to contend with two and sometimes one meal a day, for a long time. Two of my older children have already dropped out of school to find casual jobs to sustain themselves since I could not give them the life they desire. My worry is that the rest could follow in their unfortunate footsteps."

"I currently run a small shop in the village, which has become a vital source of income for my household. This shop is my only source of livelihood, but it wasn’t performing as well as I had hoped. I wanted to expand my stock and offer a wider range of products to better serve my customers. There were times when customers would come in but leave empty-handed because I didn’t have enough capital to grow the business. Thankfully, things have taken a turn for the better after I restocked with a variety of products following my first transfer. Now, my customers can enjoy a broader selection, and I’m optimistic about selling more and increasing my profits."

"In my village, I run a small shop that has been my livelihood for several years, although it was not doing well recently. After receiving my first transfer, I spent $150 to restock my merchandise, and I'm pleased to say that I can now serve many more customers. I hope to earn higher profits and eventually provide better support for my family. Additionally, I paid the school fees for my three children—one in high school and the others in primary school. I cleared the fee arrears, which amounted to $100, allowing my children to continue their studies without any interruptions. I am also in the process of installing a water tap in my compound. This will make water easily accessible, eliminating the need to trek long distances to carry it. I saved $90 to purchase the necessary pipes, pay for the installation, and cover the cost of the water meter. Furthermore, I bought a new mattress for my children, as they were using an old and worn-out one that was uncomfortable. With the remaining funds, I purchased foodstuffs, including a bag of maize and other cereals, ensuring that my family is well-fed and doesn't go hungry."

"As a parent, I was deeply worried about my two children’s future. Both were preparing for their final examinations—one in high school and the other in primary school—but they had significant fee arrears. This growing debt loomed over their ability to sit for these important exams, leaving me feeling helpless. When I received the transfer, I managed to clear the outstanding school fees just in time. The relief was immeasurable when they were allowed to sit for their exams without any interruptions. Knowing they could complete their education without obstacles lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. Even more comforting is the fact that they left school without owing anything. This means when the time comes to collect their results next year, they won’t face any hurdles. For me as a parent, this entire experience was a blessing, ensuring my children’s academic journey remained on track."

"The transfer I received brought immense relief and transformed my family’s situation. As a parent, nothing is more important than ensuring your children have a chance to succeed. With $180, I was able to pay off my three children’s school fees, ensuring they could stay in school without any interruptions. Two of them were sitting for their final examinations, and thanks to this support, I managed to clear their fees in time. Knowing they could complete their exams without the stress of unpaid fees brought me great joy. Even more reassuring is that they finished their studies debt-free, which means collecting their results later this year will be smooth—no fear of delays due to unpaid arrears. I also used part of the transfer to support my son, who was building his own home. I bought 11 iron sheets for $100, helping him complete the roofing and take a significant step toward having a place of his own. To further support him, I purchased a new bed and a mattress for $120. His previous bed was an old traditional one, with mats that were far from comfortable. Seeing him sleep soundly now in a proper bed brings me immense satisfaction. Additionally, I spent $50 on medical expenses for my parent, who had been unwell. It was a relief to see her treated and recovering well. The remaining amount went toward food for my family, ensuring that we had enough to eat."

"Before receiving the transfers, life was a challenge for me and my six children. We all lived together in a small house, which was far from spacious enough to comfortably accommodate us. As my children grew older, I realized they would soon need their own space—somewhere they could enjoy privacy and start building their independence. With this in mind, I decided to build a new house for them. However, midway through construction, I ran out of materials. Progress came to a halt, and I couldn’t afford to complete the roofing. It was disheartening to see my plans for their future stalled. But with the recent transfer, everything changed. I was able to purchase the remaining materials, including iron sheets, timber, and nails, and I also covered the labour costs. The house is now complete, and my children have a place to call their own. It fills me with joy to see them settled and happy in their new home. At the same time, it has also freed up space in my main house, making life more comfortable for everyone."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a comfortable, decent house that I built with my recent funds. My previous home was in terrible condition; it was constructed from mud and was on the verge of collapsing. The roof was in a terrible state, and I constantly worried that strong winds might blow it away. I couldn’t even consider renovating it, as I lacked the financial resources to purchase the necessary materials. When I enrolled in the program and received my first transfer, I didn’t think about fixing up that old house. Instead, I decided to take a different path and build a new, spacious, and solid permanent home using bricks and cement. Now, I live in a sturdy house, enjoying the peace and comfort that I had long missed while enduring my dilapidated old place."

"The biggest difference in my daily life is that I now have a comfortable, decent house that I built with my recent funds. My previous home was in terrible condition; it was constructed from mud and was on the verge of collapsing. The roof was in a terrible state, and I constantly worried that strong winds might blow it away. I couldn’t even consider renovating it, as I lacked the financial resources to purchase the necessary materials. When I enrolled in the program and received my first transfer, I didn’t think about fixing up that old house. Instead, I decided to take a different path and build a new, spacious, and solid permanent home using bricks and cement. Now, I live in a sturdy house, enjoying the peace and comfort that I had long missed while enduring my dilapidated old place."

"I am currently enjoying a level of peace I’ve never experienced before, something I had long been missing due to my unstable housing situation. For years, I faced the challenge of finding shelter, often relying on the kindness of neighbours who graciously took me in after my house collapsed. Building a new, spacious home seemed like a distant dream, especially since my only source of income—burning and selling charcoal—was barely enough to support such an endeavour. However, when I received my first transfer, I was finally able to purchase essential building materials like iron sheets, poles, and nails, along with covering the labour costs. I am overjoyed to have constructed a spacious iron-roofed house, which has effectively resolved my shelter issues for good. I am truly grateful for this achievement, as it would have taken years to accomplish without this opportunity."