"We are a family of 8, and don't have a toilet or a place to relieve ourselves. It's embarrassing having to depend on our neighbor's facilities. This means even when we have visitors, we have to ask our neighbors for help to use their toilet. It's also risky sharing with many people, it can lead to diseases. I am always worried of where to go next, this has affected our lives."

"My plans for next year are to reinvest a portion of the profits from the two businesses to the shop and increase stock which will generate more profits. I want to open a savings accounts for my children where I will put some of the proceeds from the shop for their future education. I will use the remaining portion of the profits and the profits from my cooking business to cater for our family daily needs and give my children a comfortable life. My children’s happiness is my happiness and I am greatful that GiveDirectly has helped me realize my dream"

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am living in a two room house with a grass roof that was blown away by strong winds some months ago. I borrowed rusted iron sheets from neighbors so as to cover the roof but the house still leaks heavily during rain season. Mostly when it rains during night hours I spend sleepless night. This has affected my children healthy."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow doing casual jobs making a very little income per month which caters mostly for food. I have six children schooling and they have a collective school fees balance of $ 300. This has made them miss class and affect their performance."

"Housing is the challenge I am currently facing in life. I am a widow living with my two sons where one is mental challenged. I am aged and I only rely on family and when it is a dry season then I depend on my son for food and other necessities. The house has a grass roof and it leaks very much during rains season. The rains affects my healthy."

"In the coming year and beyond, my primary goal is to witness my daughter complete her tailoring course and embark in a journey to start her own business. I see this accomplishment not only fulfilling her personal aspirations but also contributing significantly to our family's financial well-being."

"In the upcoming year and beyond, I aspire to acquire a sewing machine with a purpose to establish a thriving business and also to cater for the clothing needs of my family. The prospect of achieving this blending my professional expertise and personal fulfilment brings a profound sense of joy."

"I was filled with immense happiness and joy upon receiving my last transfer of $450 from GiveDirectly, as promised. I immediately allocated $120 for food to ensure my two children wouldn't go without. Additionally, I dedicated $33.5 to completing the goat barn fence that I had started from the previous transfer, securing their safety. Another $30 I spent on purchasing clothes for myself and my children, relieving us from the embarrassment of worn-out attire that poverty had enforced upon us. Prioritizing my children's education, I invested $7.5 in buying them new uniforms, ensuring they feel confident in their studies. Sadly, my wife left due to our financial struggles, leaving me with the sole responsibility of ensuring our children's happiness. Despite an unreliable income from working part-time as a casual security guard at Perkera, I made a conscious decision to purchase a power saw for $250. This tool will liberate me from inconsistent casual jobs, providing stability and I will save $4 for future unexpected expenses. I'm immensely grateful to GiveDirectly for this opportunity to improve our lives, especially considering the challenges posed by the high cost of living."

"I have had many desires, but financial constraints, especially from school fees for my five children, have hindered them. My house is on the verge of collapsing from the ongoing rains, but I have not been able to save funds for construction. Additionally, I have always wanted to own livestock like goats to grow wealth that could support the needs of my family. Despite the current tight financial constraints, I hope to set aside some funds to build another house and start rearing livestock."

"In my perspective, GiveDirectly has truly excelled in providing generous support through the transfers. The impact on our village has been nothing short of remarkable, with beneficiaries making substantial investments that promise to lift them from the grips of poverty. Personally, I am immensely grateful it allowed me to realize a dream that once felt unattainable—I now own two cows. This ownership of cattle holds profound significance in my life as I am optimistic that these cows will serve as catalysts in enabling me to provide the very best for my daughter. The gratitude I feel towards GiveDirectly is heartfelt, as their support has not only made a tangible difference but has instilled a sense of hope and empowerment for a brighter future. Thank you, GiveDirectly, for being an agent of positive change in our lives."