"The unconditional transfer from GiveDirectly was truly amazing, as it allowed us to pay off a burdensome loan that had been taking our daily income, leaving us with nothing to afford even basic food. Now, we possess an invaluable asset that not only makes it easier to fetch water from a distance but also serves as an income-generating source through taxi services. I am pleased that there were no restrictions on how we could spend the funds, giving us the freedom to address our most pressing needs. GiveDirectly has undoubtedly provided the best support, and we are profoundly grateful for it. I sincerely hope that the same kind of support can be extended to other needy communities, as it can truly make a significant difference in their lives."

"Even though farming has been challenging due to the persistent lack of rain, I find that managing a small piece of land is still possible, despite the narrow profit margins after harvesting. Currently, and in the months ahead, I am focusing on small parcels of land that I plan to cultivate in rotation over the coming years. Right now, I am preparing a half-acre plot with the intention of planting lentils. Since lentils are a short-season crop, I will be diligently irrigating the land every evening from the nearby river, with the hope that it won't dry up soon, considering it is a shared resource for the entire community, especially those with farms adjacent to it."

"Given the harsh climatic conditions we face, many of our farming activities, on which we heavily rely, are quite unreliable at the moment. Looking ahead to the coming year and beyond, my goal is to enhance my livestock venture by purchasing indigenous goats that have proven to thrive in our region. Goat farming is a lucrative project with a consistent market, providing a safety net for my family when subsistence farming fails and aiding in the payment of school fees for my three children. To start this venture, I hope to acquire five goats initially and later breed them with the hope of selling their offspring in the future."

"Apart from subsistence farming, which used to be the primary source of income for my family of four until unreliable weather conditions disrupted it, I also relied on casual labor. My son and I have been working tirelessly, earning at least $4 a day, to ensure we have enough money for food and school fees for his sibling. I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly, which has allowed me to accomplish so much. With the third transfer, I paid $100 in school fees for my two children, who are preparing for their final primary school exams. I also invested another $100 in purchasing two goats, hoping to breed them and use their offspring for future school fee payments when my children transition to secondary school. Additionally, I spent $70 on a sack of maize, which has been a crucial food supplement alongside our daily earnings from casual labor. For a long time, we used water cans as makeshift chairs because I could not afford furniture after constructing my house. I am delighted that I finally managed to acquire two tables and two plastic chairs, all for $26. As I prepare for the challenging period when my children will be entering secondary school, I have saved the remaining $154 to facilitate their transition early next year."

"Upon receiving the third cash transfer from GiveDirectly, I was not feeling well and had a lot to manage on my farm. I had ripe maize plantations ready for harvesting, so I had to allocate $100 to hire labor and transport the harvest back home. Additionally, I used $200 to pay school fees for my two children, who are currently in secondary school, ensuring they continue to enjoy ample study time in school. Given my health condition, I spent $50 on seeking medical treatment, and I am relieved that I received the right medication and am now in better health. With the remaining money, I purchased bedding for my children, who had been sleeping on old rags, and some essential household goods for my family of seven, ensuring we had a comfortable and well-equipped home."

"GiveDirectly has truly been amazing for me and my family, helping us achieve milestones that would have been otherwise impossible. The uniqueness of this cash transfer program, with its unconditional spending, has been its strength. We all have different challenges in our households, and this flexibility allowed us to address our most pressing needs. What's more, it was entirely fair and did not discriminate; as long as one met the criteria, they could benefit. I sincerely believe that nothing should be changed as GiveDirectly extends its support to other villages. The same approach has been incredibly helpful, and I hope it continues to make a positive impact on many more families like mine."

"It's been quite difficult for us living in our current houses. They are dilapidated and need immediate repairs. We have a grass thatched one and a whole-round iron sheet house. They both have been destroyed by termites due to the wooden inner structure. This has affected our ability as a family to sleep well during raining seasons. It's also difficult hosting our guests or even when our children and grandchildren come to visit."

"As a family we face a big food problem. It's difficult putting food on the table due to the high cost of living. We depend on casual jobs to gain income to buy food. These jobs pay poorly meaning we sometimes lack food. The drought has led to water shortage and no rains means no farming. We are also not able to irrigate our farms due to water shortage. This has led to never ending food insecurity due to low to zero farm productivity."

"Water scarcity is what has challenged me the most. This is because, in our area, we have only 1 water pan that serves both the people and the livestock around. This makes the water unsafe for human consumption but because I lack money to buy clean water, my family is forced to drink the same dirty water and it has put us in a dangerous situation. I am currently worried about the announced country-wide outbreak of cholera. Hence, I consider this situation as what has made my life harder."

"The lack of freedom to do my desired project of livestock keeping is what I consider to be my biggest challenge. This is because our area is prone to livestock theft a situation that has hindered me from investing much in this favorable project. Very recently, my cow was stolen and this demoralized me a lot. As I speak, I am confused about how I will support my family if I don't have this livestock project which is depended on by most people. What a life of worry to live in this village!"