"I used to engage in manual labor and various informal occupations, such as charcoal production and sales, to support myself financially. However, due to my advancing age, I have lost the physical capacity to continue these activities. Additionally, I am grappling with severe hypertension, which has confined me to my home for a significant portion of my time. Managing this health condition requires me to undergo regular medical treatment. Unfortunately, my sons, who typically provide me with financial support, are already burdened with their own financial responsibilities, including caring for larger families, covering school fees, and meeting various other needs. Consequently, I find myself relying solely on the financial assistance I receive through transfers. Given my inability to work due to health constraints, my primary objective is to invest in goats. As they multiply, I can subsequently sell them to generate a steady income. Currently, I am the proud owner of five goats, and I have ambitious plans to acquire more in the upcoming year and beyond."

"I talked about my children in school but I also have children out of school. I have two of my children who finished form four but cannot join secondary school because I cannot afford to take them to school. I dig up tree stumps and sell in order to make some cash but the money I make from this is not sufficient to pay school fees for all the eight of my children. I hope that as from beginning next year I will have some money to enroll the two into secondary school which ensures that all my children are able to get through school."

"My objective is to establish a small-scale enterprise focused on selling vegetables. The dry season presents a prime opportunity for my business to flourish, as the demand during this period is remarkably high. I anticipate making substantial sales during this time. Furthermore, in addition to the vegetable business, I aspire to venture into poultry farming as well. The income generated from these endeavors will play a crucial role in meeting my family's financial needs. It will also alleviate the burden on my husband, who currently earns a modest income as a security guard at Bengoni Primary School. I am delighted with the progress I have made since receiving funds from Give Directly. Notably, I am now the proud owner of five goats, all made possible by the transfer. The support I have received has not only provided me with the means to pursue my entrepreneurial aspirations but has also positively impacted our family's overall well-being. I am grateful for the opportunities that have come our way, and I look forward to the future with optimism."

"I've been living with my children in an old, dilapidated house, and my top priority is finishing our new home. Each month, I'm saving a portion of our transfers, hoping to make this dream a reality. Having a secure place of our own will mean a lot to me. I'm content and at peace with the progress I've made so far."

"My main objective for the upcoming year and beyond is to invest in the acquisition of goats for the purpose of rearing. As these goats multiply and mature over time, my intention is to sell them, thereby yielding a profit. This venture holds significant importance as it will not only facilitate the education of my children but also provide a stable source of income to cover our daily expenses. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to Give Directly for their invaluable assistance, which has not only transformed my own life but has also contributed positively to the well-being of my entire community."

"I finished college last year, but I have not been fortunate to find a job. Currently, I earn a living as a laborer on construction sites, but the work is typically temporary and does not offer substantial payment . My primary goal for this year is to enroll in a driving school and obtain a driver's license. I plan to allocate a portion of my transfers to make this dream a reality, and I aim to complete my training by the end of the year. Obtaining a driver's license will open up opportunities for higher paying driving jobs, which I believe will be a significant improvement over my current employment situation. I am immensely thankful to Give Directly for their support, which has been a beacon of hope in my life, inspiring me to strive for a better tomorrow."

"Upon receiving the third transfer, I made a significant purchase that had been a long-awaited dream: a water storage tank. This 3000-litre tank, costing $170, has been on my wish list for a while, but financial constraints held me back. My primary source of income is farming, and our region has been grappling with rainfall shortages due to climate change affecting our farm production. The tank has been a true lifesaver, sparing me the arduous journey of fetching water from distant sources since the rivers frequently run dry due to the scorching weather conditions, making access to water a daily challenge. Thanks to the tank, my neighbors and I can now collectively purchase water from water trucks, costing $30 for 7,000 litres, and use it for various needs. Furthermore, I expanded my goat herd by adding four more goats, utilizing $200 from the transfer. Goats are our main source of income generation, as they thrive and reproduce rapidly in our region, fetching favourable prices in the market. This investment ensures our financial stability and prospects. Lastly, I secured my youngest son's college education with the funds by paying his tuition fee of $80. This truly warms my heart, knowing that with the school fees settled, he can fully concentrate on his studies, increasing the likelihood of academic success. His dreams and aspirations are now within reach, thanks to the support from GD."

"GiveDirectly has had a substantial positive impact on our village by providing unrestricted cash transfers. This has allowed us to fund several projects and improve our lives significantly. Previously, I used to farm on a small piece of land for basic food provision, but now I can lease and purchase essential farm inputs. GiveDirectly's generosity and commitment to alleviating poverty are commendable. I would encourage them to expand their impactful work to other struggling villages. GiveDirectly though, needs to exercise more discretion during the enrollment process to ensure that no long-standing residents are left out. It is creating imbalances, as some people who were not enrolled have to rely on those who received support. To ensure fair support for everyone, GiveDirectly should conduct thorough assessments independently. Moreover, weak network coverage for the phones provided to recipients is a significant issue that needs addressing. It would be beneficial if GiveDirectly could invest in better phones that can function effectively in the specific locations they operate. This way, they can enhance their programs' overall experience and impact."

"My family is very huge, but the piece of land that we own is very little. As it is, there is 7 acres to be divide among 7 sons which means each will receive only an acre or less. Considering that each of the sons also have many children, my family not exempted, it is important that we acquire extra portions of land on our own if our children to have plots to construct their homes and farm in future. Fortunately, land is still very affordable in this locality with an acre going for as low as $400, meaning with proper planning, I can acquire a parcel through the transfers. To achieve this, I must invest wisely hence the reason I am currently purchasing goats using my transfers with an aim of later selling them to purchase cows as they are easy to manage especially during drought. With single cow fetching up to $200, all I need to have is at least 2 large cows to be able to purchase my first acre after which I will start the process all over again. It would make me very proud to have such an investment by the time this project comes to an end as it will be a lifetime proof of the project's impact in our lives."

"I am work as a motorcycle taxi operator using a hired motorcycle, but my major goal is to own a motorcycle so as to improve my daily earnings. At the moment, I have to ensure I remit a daily fee to the motorcycle owner regardless of what my daily earning is but with my own a motorcycle, all the daily earnings will be mine meaning an improved income. To realize this dream, I have to take a loan from a sacco which I believe is possible because Give Directly transfers already ensure my children's school needs are taken care of and with the recent harvests, we have enough food for months. With the reduced financial burden at home, my daily earnings from the new motorcycle will be partly used to service the loan and the rest spent on the household needs. It would be great to achieve this within the coming year so that I can have ample time to clear the loan while the program is still on."