"I hoped to start a business this year to supplement my income, but I was unable to do so. This is due to the fact that I spend a significant amount of my income on my children's schooling. I plan to fund their college education with the proceeds from my charcoal-selling business. They will secure decent employment and support me after they finish school."

"In the coming year and beyond, I hope to build a chicken coop and grow chickens for sale. This will considerably supplement my income and allow me to cover the basic needs of my family. I'd also like to try subsistence farming now that we've had enough rain in the last two months. This means food security for my family and an improvement in the quality of our life."

"GiveDirectly has done an excellent job that has brought happiness to all of us. The direct transfer of money to our accounts, without any expectations or demands in return, was truly the best aspect of the support. We appreciated the cash assistance as it allowed us to make decisions that directly impacted our lives. I hope that other villages will have the same opportunity to experience this kind of support and empowerment."

"I was at home when I received the transfer, I was so happy and immediately thanked God for bringing Give directly and for fulfilling their promise. I then thought of buying a cow, a mattress since I was sleeping badly."

"GiveDirectly's intervention came at a crucial moment when I was on the brink of depression. After having to leave our original home due to community conflicts that resulted in the loss of my brother, 100 goats, and 50 cows, life became challenging. However, thanks to GiveDirectly's support, things started to improve, and I now have hope of eventually returning to a more stable situation with the ongoing projects we are involved in. Currently, I am cultivating 1 acre of maize under a lease, and I am optimistic that the proceeds from this endeavor will contribute towards purchasing a piece of land. GiveDirectly executed everything perfectly without discriminating, and we sincerely hope that their efforts will not only continue in our village but also extend to other villages where there is a greater need for the support."

"The first transfer from GiveDirectly brought about a significant change in our living conditions. We had been residing in a small flat-roofed house, and while it kept rainwater out during the rainy season, there was a risk of the mud walls being washed away. Unlike many in our village who constructed their houses with iron sheets, we couldn't afford it before due to other financial obligations. Therefore, our priority was to use a substantial portion of the transfer to obtain construction materials and improve our home. With the money collected, we purchased 8 iron sheets for $84, along with 14 building poles for $42, and two kilograms of nails for $4. We intend to add more iron sheets with the subsequent payments. I am grateful for GiveDirectly's support, and I look forward to starting the construction work soon after receiving the second transfer. Additionally, I spent the remaining $70 to buy a sack of maize, which has been sustaining my family of five during this time when finding casual labor has been challenging. The generous support from GiveDirectly has significantly improved the quality of meals in our household, and I am thankful for it."

"Receiving the first transfer from GiveDirectly was an immensely joyful and grateful moment for me. The support came at a critical time when we were facing severe hunger, and it also allowed us to pay for our two children's secondary school fees. The notification arrived around 3:00 p.m. while I was on my farm, and I quickly confirmed the message, filled with excitement at what I saw. Being alone at the time, I had to wait until later in the evening, when I returned home, to share the news with my husband. He was also running errands at the nearby shopping center while I was working on the farm. Together, we made plans for the funds and collected them the following day."

"My primary goal as the year comes to a close and beyond is to make a wise investment in purchasing goats. This step is crucial in my journey towards achieving financial stability, as it will provide a reliable source of income. As the goat herd multiplies over time, I plan to sell some of them to meet my pressing needs, which are currently a challenge for me to fulfill. This endeavor marks a significant accomplishment in my quest for a more secure and prosperous future."

"By the end of this year, my primary goal is to acquire a minimum of three goats, which I consider a prudent investment for my future. These goats will eventually multiply, allowing me to sell some of them for profit. The proceeds from the sales will be utilized to construct a new house, as my current residence is in a deteriorating condition and might collapse at any moment. This approach serves a dual purpose: establishing a sustainable income stream through livestock sales and addressing my housing needs using the earnings generated from the goat sales."

"Spent most of the transfer on buying land and iron sheets."