"As a dedicated mother, I firmly believe in hard work and taking responsibility for providing my children with education and sufficient food when they return home. Despite the challenges posed by severe and prolonged droughts, which forced us to sell our assets, including livestock, I have remained determined to seek daily wage labor every morning. However, finding work has been difficult, especially when the farms are not operating. GiveDirectly has reignited our hope for transforming our lives. With the first transfer, we have already achieved significant milestones. I used $100 to pay tuition fees for my two sons, one in ninth grade and the other in twelfth grade. Additionally, I purchased a sack of dry maize grains for $70, ensuring our family of six will have enough food for the entire month before the second transfer arrives. Currently, I am managing an acre of millet farm, and while it can be overwhelming, I am grateful that GiveDirectly's assistance allowed me to hire a labor force for $30 to clear the weeds. I am immensely thankful for GiveDirectly's support and eagerly anticipate further positive changes with the second transfer."

"Given the prevailing economic conditions, I have been exerting extra effort to generate additional income streams for my family. Thus far, farming has been the primary pursuit that I intend to intensify in the years ahead. Despite the harshness of drought and the scarcity of dependable rainfall, I recognize the value of diversifying the crops I cultivate. This approach proves particularly beneficial with short-season crops that can thrive with minimal rainfall. Presently, I am diligently tending to my maize farm, eagerly anticipating a bountiful harvest that will kickstart the future expansion of my farming activities."

"Thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, our daily lives have undergone a remarkable transformation. The biggest difference we've experienced is the abundance of food that we now have for my family. It has been quite challenging to provide for our needs, but with GiveDirectly's assistance, we no longer have to worry about going hungry. We can now enjoy nourishing meals and focus on other important aspects of our lives. The relief and gratitude we feel are immeasurable, and we are truly grateful for the positive impact this support has had on our daily lives."

"Deep gratitude filled my heart when the money arrived, and I couldn't help but thank God for this much-needed blessing. Life had been incredibly challenging, making the receipt of such an amount an immense honor for us. The moment I received the message and confirmed its authenticity from GiveDirectly, I immediately reached out to my husband, who was working hard at a casual labor job in the nearby town. His excitement matched mine, and we both expressed great gratitude that the plans we had been longing to fulfill would finally come to fruition. Although we had to wait patiently for two more days, we eagerly anticipated collecting the money, ready to embark on the next chapter of our journey."

"With a solid foundation laid in subsistence farming, where I aim to generate ample food for my family of seven and potentially have a surplus for selling, my aspirations for the future extend to livestock farming. I plan to initiate this endeavor by venturing into poultry and goat rearing. Given the abundance of shrubs and thickets in our surroundings, the goats will have ready access to feed, making their management relatively easier. Collecting milk and eggs will serve as an additional source of income for my family, and I eagerly anticipate starting these projects soon after harvesting the current crops on my farm."

"With the second transfer from GiveDirectly, I ensured that I made some meaningful investments for my family. I purchased a sack of maize for $43, ensuring that we have enough food to sustain us. I also bought a goat for $35, bringing our total to nine, in an attempt to expand our livestock assets. I have plans to rear them for milk production and sell their offspring in the future. Additionally, I used $88 to buy 10 iron sheets. We had been struggling to complete the construction of a new kitchen, but the financial support from GiveDirectly allowed us to make progress. Although we still need six more iron sheets, I am optimistic that the upcoming second transfer will help us finish the project. I allocated $25 from the remaining funds to purchase household goods like utensils and toiletries, and I saved the remaining $9 for any unforeseen emergencies."

"With the second transfer, I eagerly embarked on fulfilling my dreams and enhancing my family's well-being. Firstly, I allocated $80 to purchase a sack of maize and 12 kg of beans, ensuring that our food supply remains stable for my family of five. Recognizing the need for better living conditions, I invested $55 in acquiring five iron sheets, a crucial step towards constructing a spacious house to accommodate my growing children. To uplift their spirits, I joyfully spent $10 on new clothes for my three children, replacing their worn-out garments. Additionally, I spent $10 on kitchen utensils, bringing a refreshing change to our cooking space since we had been using old and cracked plates. Taking care of my debts responsibly, I promptly repaid a $20 loan to my understanding neighbor, who had waited for a long time while expecting the payment after the receipt of the first transfer. Finally, I saved the remaining $20 to replenish any household necessities that may be depleted in the future. This second transfer has brought us closer to our aspirations and instilled hope for a brighter future."

"My family and I have been living in an old, dilapidated house and recognizing the need for a safe and comfortable living space, I decided to allocate a significant portion of the unconditional transfers to build a new house. With $300, I purchased iron sheets and wisely employed local labor, paying them a fair wage of $ 100 for their services to construct a sturdy and reliable dwelling that would replace the old one. This investment in our home not only provided us with a safer and more comfortable environment but also instilled a sense of pride and dignity. With $50 I purchased food, guaranteeing that my loved ones would have access to nutritious meals for about one month."

"For as long as I can remember, my aspiration has been to establish a retail business specializing in household items. However, financial limitations and the responsibilities of school fees have made it challenging to pursue this dream. As a farmer, married with three children, the moment I received my transfer presented a golden opportunity. I immediately seized it by purchasing a weighing scale for $60, which would be essential for measuring sugar in my envisioned business. Additionally, I invested $62 in acquiring a sack of maize and $10 for various other foodstuffs. Recognizing the importance of nurturing the soil, I allocated $8 to purchase manure. The happiness and excitement that fill me now are immeasurable, as I finally see my long-held dream inching closer to reality."

"My spouse and I work as farmers, and we have been fortunate to have seven children. Upon receiving the transfer, my immediate concern was to allocate $60 towards clearing my son's outstanding secondary school fees. The accumulated arrears had become a burden, as our financial circumstances didn't allow us to settle them all at once. After taking care of the educational expenses, I proceeded to purchase food supplies worth $93, ensuring that our family would have enough to eat and sparing us the distress of going to bed on empty stomachs. I also allocated $10 for medical treatment and another $10 to buy clothes for my children. The benevolence displayed by the organization is something I will forever cherish and deeply appreciate."