"Looking ahead, I aim to concentrate on farming by either purchasing or leasing a generator to draw water from the river to my fields, which will enable me to grow beans. This essential investment will guarantee a consistent water supply, vital for the health of my crops. Once I begin generating income from my farming efforts, my intention is to invest in livestock, which I can manage at home to help support my family. With age catching up to me, I believe that caring for animals is a more manageable task than the strenuous work in the fields. I’m confident that combining crop and livestock farming will provide a reliable source of income for us. Ultimately, my goal is to improve our living conditions and ensure we have adequate food and resources for the future."

"GiveDirectly has shown us great care by following up to ensure we use the money wisely. I appreciate how they talk to us nicely and treat us with respect. Their support makes us feel valued and included in the program. I have not noticed anything bad from GiveDirectly; all my experiences with them have been positive. However, I think they could improve by offering more workshops or training sessions to help us manage our finances better. This extra support would empower us to make the most of the funds we receive."

"Building a safe home for my family has been a top priority, especially after floods damaged our previous shelter. I used my entire second cash transfer of $450 to construct two rooms with iron sheets: one room to replace our damaged house and another specifically for my children. Our previous home was unstable and nearly collapsing, and the room where my children stayed was made of grass and mud, which the floods swept away completely. This support from GiveDirectly gave us a chance to rebuild and create a more secure environment for my family.My husband and I face many challenges as we work to provide for our five children. Although he does his best with farming, he has a disability from an accident ten years ago that prevents him from doing heavy labor. This makes it difficult to earn enough on our own to cover all our needs, and we often had to live day-to-day without knowing if we could make improvements to our lives. With this transfer, however, I was able to ensure we have a safer home for everyone, giving us much-needed peace of mind. Additionally, I work by selling vegetables and fruits at the local center, but life was hard before receiving this support, as the income from my small business was not enough for such a big need like housing. Now, our lives feel more stable, and I can focus on growing my business instead of worrying about the safety of our shelter. The cash transfer has truly made a positive difference, allowing us to recover and plan for a better future."

"Building a proper home has been a long-standing goal for me, especially given our difficult living conditions. Before, we lived in a small house made of mud walls and a grass roof that leaked whenever it rained. Sometimes, parts of it would even fall apart during storms, which was both stressful and unsafe. So, when I received my second cash transfer, I spent $43 on building materials to construct a two-room house made of iron sheets. Now, our family finally has a secure and sturdy home, which gives us so much peace of mind. With the remaining $20 from the transfer, I paid for school fees for my three children. Education is very important to us, but it has always been challenging to cover fees. My husband and I rely on casual jobs to support our family, but the work isn’t always steady. Often, there are days when we can't find any labor, leaving us worried about meeting our children's needs. This transfer helped ensure they can stay in school without the constant fear of being sent home for unpaid fees. Life was much harder before this support. At times, we felt defeated, especially when there was no work and nothing left to depend on. Now, though, our new house and the chance to keep our children in school have brought us a renewed sense of hope. I am deeply grateful for this support, as it has helped my family move forward in ways we couldn’t have managed alone."

"My spouse and I are fortunate to have three children of whom two are in school, while the youngest is still small. To support our family, my spouse takes on casual jobs, while I manage our livestock. Life was quite challenging before we received assistance from GiveDirectly; earning a consistent income was difficult, and the little we had was often insufficient for basic needs like school fees and food. There were times when we went to bed hungry, but now, thanks to GiveDirectly, we can plan better and no longer face those hardships. With my most recent transfer, I spent $102 to purchase three goats. I aim to invest in goat rearing, so once the transfers conclude, I’ll have a reliable source of support for my family. As the goats breed and their numbers increase, I plan to sell some of them to pay for my children's education and purchase food."

"After getting attacked by a crocodile while fishing my life has been difficult because I'm unable to provide for my family because of my injuries."

"For a long time, I relied on buying tap water from a neighbor for all my household needs. However, I always hoped to have my own water tap in my compound. Purchasing water from my neighbor had become quite expensive, and given the distance I had to walk to get it, it was difficult, especially as I am older and no longer have the stamina for long treks. Initially, the cost of installing a water tap on my property felt beyond my reach. Fortunately, when I received my first transfer, everything changed, and my goal became achievable. I used a portion of the funds to buy the necessary pipes and laid them in preparation for the water system. I also covered the labor costs, which helped move the process along quickly. Now, I’m delighted that the setup is almost complete—all that’s left is to install the meter, and soon water will flow directly into my compound. This new water source will serve all my household needs, and I also plan to sell water to others in the area and ear some money."

"I spent $200 to install a water tap in my compound, something I had wanted for a very long time. Previously, I had to buy water from a neighbor, which was costly and a long walk from my home. Due to my age, making the trip was often challenging, and I sometimes had to rely on my grandsons to carry the water for me. When they were in school, I struggled on my own. With my first transfer, I was finally able to purchase and lay the pipes for a water system, cover the labor costs, and prepare for the installation of a water meter. Soon, I’ll have a steady water supply right on my compound. In addition to using the water for household needs, I also plan to sell some, which will provide me with extra income. I also used $120 to buy a new bed and mattress, replacing the worn-out ones I’d been using. This upgrade has greatly improved my sleep quality, and I now look forward to a restful night’s sleep. Additionally, I spent $45 to hire a tractor to plough my 1.5 acres of land, allowing me to plant early and hope for a good harvest to support my family. Finally, I used the remaining funds to pay off accumulated debts for foodstuffs I’d previously purchased on credit, and I stocked up on essential food items, including bales of maize flour, to ensure my family has a secure food supply each day."

"I used a bigger portion of my transfer, $410, to improve my sitting room, which wasn’t as comfortable as I had hoped. With this, I bought a high-quality, heavy carpet and a new set of sofas, transforming the room entirely. My home currently feels much warmer and more inviting, providing a cozy space for my family to relax and a welcoming area for guests. This transformation has brought me great joy, making our sitting room far cozier and more functional than before. In addition to the sitting room upgrade, I spent $100 on two goats, adding to the single goat I already owned. I’m thrilled to now have three goats, which I am keeping and breeding in hopes of building a larger herd. These goats are assets I can rely on in the future, either for sale or to meet other needs. Lastly, I used the remaining funds to cover my grandson’s school fees, ensuring he can stay in school without any interruptions due to fees. This support has brought stability and comfort to our lives in so many ways."

"I used a bigger portion of my transfer, $410, to improve my sitting room, which wasn’t as comfortable as I had hoped. With this, I bought a high-quality, heavy carpet and a new set of sofas, transforming the room entirely. My home currently feels much warmer and more inviting, providing a cozy space for my family to relax and a welcoming area for guests. This transformation has brought me great joy, making our sitting room far cozier and more functional than before. In addition to the sitting room upgrade, I spent $100 on two goats, adding to the single goat I already owned. I’m thrilled to now have three goats, which I am keeping and breeding in hopes of building a larger herd. These goats are assets I can rely on in the future, either for sale or to meet other needs. Lastly, I used the remaining funds to cover my grandson’s school fees, ensuring he can stay in school without any interruptions due to fees. This support has brought stability and comfort to our lives in so many ways."