"Investing in watermelon farming has always been my goal, but limited resources kept me from moving forward. This time, I finally managed to make it happen. I spent $420 to buy seeds, prepare the land, and hire a tractor to get things ready. Additionally, I needed to buy fuel for the generator to pump water from the lake. Planting one acre of watermelon was a significant expense, but now the field is flourishing, and I’m hopeful for a great harvest. In our area, watermelons tend to do very well, and if all goes as planned, I could fill one lorry, which might bring in around $1,000.Since we’ve faced challenges in the past, this opportunity feels like a turning point. I used to farm maize, but frequent flooding would ruin the crops, leaving us struggling to make ends meet. With the extra cash, I also spent $30 on food for my family, as we’ve had to depend mainly on what we grow. Unfortunately, we lost all our maize in the last flood, so this support has allowed us to put food on the table while my watermelon crop matures.My wife is an early childhood teacher, and her salary helps us pay school fees for our three children, though it’s modest. Her support has been invaluable, especially during tough seasons when farming yields were low. Now, with this new venture, I feel more optimistic about our future and the stability it could bring. Watermelon farming holds real promise, and this cash transfer has allowed us to start building a more secure and hopeful future."

"In the coming years, I plan to open a business shop right at home so that I can earn profit without needing to go elsewhere. This will allow me to focus on growing the business steadily while staying close to my family. Alongside the shop, I want to continue farming, as it will support us with food and extra income. I believe this combination will not only improve our lives but also help secure a brighter future for my children by supporting their education. With the shop and farm together, we’ll have more stability and fewer financial worries. My goal is to create a strong foundation that will sustain us for years to come."

"Loneliness is the greatest challenge am currently facing.I am a teacher at Loruk primary school which is 15 kilometers from my home.I commute to school daily ,this is hectic and straineous for me because I have to do household chores and cook for myself later in the evening.Life has been challenging to me since the demise of my lovely wife in the year 2022.I am currently stranded and confused on wether to remarry or not.I have fears on restarting marriage life because my 4 children are now elderly, my last born is currently 20 years . The thought of having a baby at my age of 50 freaks me out a lot moreso since am now a grandfather.I am currently learning to let go of the good memories we had with my wife , (hough painful) so that my life can go on smoothly."

"My house, roofed with only five iron sheets, was far too small for my family of four. Whenever I had visitors, they had to sleep at my neighbor's place because there simply wasn't enough space. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I seized the opportunity to construct a one-room house, both roofed and walled with iron sheets, which cost me $350. This new house provided us with much-needed space and comfort. Previously, I had only two plastic chairs, which were inadequate for us, so I bought three additional plastic chairs for $21 and a table for $85. Food has always been a challenge for us, especially since I am a single mom relying fully on casual jobs. To help with this, I purchased a bag of maize worth $27, ensuring that we had enough to eat. Unfortunately, my daughter fell ill with malaria during this time, and I had to spend $10 on her medication. We desperately needed clothes because our old ones were worn out and tattered. With the remaining money, I bought new clothes for myself and my three children, bringing them joy. Seeing their smiles was worth every sacrifice I had made."

"I am planning to open a kiosk using my final transfer, as I believe it will provide a crucial alternative income source for my family. This year has been a stark reminder of how unpredictable life can be; we lost our entire crop to floods, which severely impacted our finances. By starting this business, I aim to diversify our income, ensuring that we are not solely reliant on crop farming. I envision the kiosk not just as a source of income, but also as a way to serve my community by providing essential goods that they need daily. Ultimately, this venture will help create a more stable future for my family."

"I love how GiveDirectly excels in supporting the poor in our community. Indeed, unconditional cash can change lives; if you had visited our community before the transfers and now, you would clearly see the positive changes. Additionally, the follow-up on the transfers has motivated us to utilize the money wisely. I truly believe that the program's strength lies in its effective approach. I have not seen any areas that need improvement; I encourage you to continue with the same successful methods."

"First, I want to express my gratitude to GiveDirectly; without their support, I truly do not know where I would be today. The unconditional nature of the cash transfers provided allowed me to plan according to my own needs, giving me the flexibility to make decisions that best suit my family's situation. The follow-up on these transfers encouraged me to spend wisely, which has led to positive outcomes for my household and the community at large. In my experience, I have not identified any areas for improvement. Continue your operations using the same approach."

"Living in a muddy-walled house had become increasingly difficult for me, especially this year when the heavy rains caused extensive damage. The walls deteriorated further, creating several holes; as a result, we had to manage our small kitchen with my daughter and two grandchildren. After receiving my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I used $350 from the funds to build a one room iron-sheet house. Now, we live in a decent home, a transformation I am truly grateful for. In addition, we also lacked proper clothing, so I spent $45 on our clothes, as it was essential to ensure that we had decent attire. Furthermore, I allocated $35 to purchase a bag of maize, which helped sustain us for a while, and spent an additional $20 on other food items. I am thankful for this support."

"After receiving my second transfer, I was finally able to improve our living situation. Previously, my family of five was crammed into a single room with an iron sheet roof and muddy walls. Our home was vulnerable, especially during the rains when the walls felt like they could collapse at any moment. Cooking outside was not only inconvenient but also unhygienic, and when it rained, we could not cook at all. With the $200 from my transfer, I built a one-room iron sheet house and a small kitchen, using some iron sheets I had already saved up for. In addition to improving our shelter, I wanted to secure our future, particularly concerning my children's school fees. I decided to invest in livestock by buying three female goats for $165, knowing they would multiply over time. As a crop farmer, I also allocated $70 for plowing and creating ridges for my next planting season. I plan to plant green grams next month, which I believe will provide a good yield. Food was a struggle. With the remaining money, I purchased half a bag of maize, as our previous maize crop was swept away by floods this year. Thank you, GiveDirectly."

"I have been doing crop farming for a while now, working on half an acre of land that a neighbor generously offered me. My plan for the future is to rent an additional acre of land, which will expand the half an acre I already farm. I intend to plant maize during the next planting season. I plan to use my final transfer to make this happen, as it will help cover the costs of renting the land and purchasing the necessary inputs. By increasing my land size, I will boost my yields, leading to more income. This will not only allow me to continue farming but also give me the opportunity to invest part of the income in adding more sheep to my flock."