"As a mother of four, we live in a deteriorating grass house. I am determined to secure a brighter future for my family, so I have already obtained ten metal sheets and plan to acquire more. This is all for the sake of providing my loved ones with a better home and a better life."

"The biggest challenges we face are landslides, floods and rock rolling which destroy our crops and houses making to sleep uncomfortably and also leaving us with food insecurity."

"The biggest challenge we face is landslides and water oozing from underground within the compound and in the when it rains heavily hence lacking where to sleep."

"Lack of reliable source of income is the challenge I am currently facing in life. My husband and I do casual jobs earning very little income which caters mainly for food. This has caused my children to miss school due to lack of school fees."

"I am a business woman operating a shop at the town centre. Due to inflation, the business has gone down making the profit to go down from $30 to $10 per day. This has affected my expenditure and as a result my water tap meter was taken by the water company due to accrued water bills. The family currently lacks clean water. The inflation has brought challenges in my business."

"Our heavy reliance on farming, both livestock and subsistence, has been consistently challenged by adverse drought conditions, making life difficult for us. I was fortunate to be part of the GiveDirectly program, which has provided a crucial buffer against hunger and other hardships. After collecting my second transfer, I spent $70 to pay my child's school fees, ensuring a smooth and uninterrupted learning experience. Additionally, I spent $5 on his transportation back to school after collecting the money. Given my child's illness and absence from school, I also invested $10 in purchasing new clothes for him. Preparing for the construction of a new house, I acquired 21 iron sheets for $211, with the hope of providing my family with a more spacious and comfortable living space. To secure our financial future, I spent $80 on two goats, which will help cover future school fees for my children and other financial obligations. As I had a leased piece of land with a maize crop that I couldn't manage to harvest alone, I hired labor for $25 to facilitate the harvesting and transportation of the crops to my storage. Finally, I used the remaining $49 to purchase foodstuffs and household goods for my family of five, ensuring we have enough to sustain us."

"In the coming year and beyond, my goals are clear. I aspire to invest in a better house, one that can provide my family with improved living conditions and comfort. Simultaneously, I want to expand our livestock farming activities. We heavily rely on livestock farming because the harsh climatic conditions in our region make it one of the most viable options for sustenance. While I may use some of the transfer to kickstart this expansion, I am determined to work diligently on my daily chores to steadily increase our goat herd, even beyond the support I am getting. These additional goats will prove invaluable, as they will not only contribute to our livelihood but also help meet other financial obligations in the future."

"I could not contain my joy when I received that first message from GiveDirectly, confirming the arrival of the first cash transfer. It was a moment of great relief because I had a lot on my plate at that time, and the financial support came just when we needed it most. My child was at home, waiting to collect school fees, and our family of four needed food. I immediately shared the news with my husband, and we excitedly informed our children as well. The next day, I collected the money, and it was a turning point for us."

"Upon receiving my second transfer, my immediate priority was to secure piped water for our home. This had been our most pressing need because the stream was quite distant, and fetching water from there daily was a cumbersome task. Unfortunately, this essential upgrade had remained out of reach due to financial constraints. My husband is a teacher, and I am farmer. We are blessed with two children and we relied on our combined income to meet our basic needs. I spent $240 towards the water connection, a significant step forward. Additionally, I invested $150 in acquiring a cow, a valuable asset for our family. To enhance our food security, I purchased a sack of maize for $53. We deeply appreciate the support from GiveDirectly, as it has had a profound and positive impact on our overall quality of life."

"GiveDirectly truly excelled in its approach, providing us with unconditional cash support, a concept I had never experienced in my entire life. This support allowed me to address many of the pressing needs within my family, bringing about significant transformation. The enrollment process was seamless and unbiased, ensuring that every household received the same amount of money, which was highly commendable. I earnestly hope that GiveDirectly will maintain this same fair and effective approach as they expand their support to other villages, bringing positive change to even more families."