"Sometimes I stressed over what to eat and couldn't invest in anything, as I was often just focused on finding food. But I am incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for transforming my life. I now own goats, which I never thought would be possible, and I am truly grateful for that. Food is also sufficient in my house now. Previously, the children would sometimes skip lunch and we ate only one meal a day, but now we have three meals a day."

"Life became hard for my family after the flood. It took away my three chickens and ruined my bed, leaving me feeling very upset. But I found hope in my three sheep, knowing that once they give birth, I’ll have milk and won’t need to buy it, which will save us money. I believe that as my sheep multiply, I will improve my situation and won’t return to this low point. The GiveDirectly money has helped so much, and I am very grateful for the difference it has made in my life."

"I used to be a very hardworking woman, dedicated to my work to ensure my children got everything they needed. However, the floods came and almost destroyed the dream I had. The floods destroyed my house, my 1.5 hectares of maize, and caused my business to collapse. This setback returned my progress to zero, but I thank God because just when I had lost all hope, the GiveDirectly money arrived. I immediately used $160 to purchase iron sheets and build a small house. Although the iron sheets weren't enough to fully complete the house, they covered the roof and three walls; I had to use tents to cover the remaining wall. With the remaining $40, I bought enough food to sustain my family, as I have five children to care for, and my husband is unemployed, working only as a farmer. I run a business selling food in a hotel near my village, and the income I used to earn was enough to cover our bills and buy food. However, the business collapsed when the entire village flooded, forcing everyone to relocate to higher ground. When the floods receded, I returned and reopened my business, where I am now making a better profit of $15 per day. Since people received money from GiveDirectly, I've started earning much more than before when I only made around $5 a day. I am truly thankful and appreciate GiveDirectly for their great support."

"When I received the cash transfer, I knew I had to make decisions that would benefit my family both now and in the future. I started by buying two sheep for $111, which I see as an investment. We already had three sheep, and by adding to the flock, I believe it will help us secure a better future. I then spent $16 on half a bag of maize. Maize is our staple food, and I realized we didn't have any stock at home. It was important to me to make sure we had enough to eat, especially with the unpredictable times we've been facing. Knowing that we have maize stored gives me peace of mind, and I can now focus on other things without worrying about our next meal. With the remaining money, I bought a portable jiko and clothes for myself and my two children. The jiko is perfect for cooking at night and helps warm our house, which can get very cold. As for the clothes, I wanted to make sure we had enough, especially for the children, and to make us feel good about ourselves. Being able to provide these necessities has brought us comfort and a sense of dignity, and I am grateful for the opportunity to improve our lives in this way."

"As a young family, we decided to invest in crop farming to sustain our family of three. This year, with the rains beginning, we saw it as our chance to invest using savings from casual jobs and occasional charcoal production. We leased an additional half-acre of land and planted maize. Everything was going well, and we were motivated, until heavy rains caused flash floods that swept away all our maize. We had planned to use the proceeds to buy goats, which we had always wanted because they multiply quickly and their milk is highly nutritious. Owning goats would save us the cost of buying milk and allow us to sell them as their numbers increased, helping us with other needs. When we received our first transfer, we decided to fulfill this long-term wish by buying three goats for $50, $50, and $45, respectively. Additionally, during the floods, we were temporarily relocated to camps, and our clothes, which we had placed on the bed to keep them off the water, were completely soaked. Surviving with only one pair of clothes was challenging. We spent $45 on new clothes and used the remaining amount to buy food."

"After my two children, a boy and a girl, were sent home for school fees two days before the transfers, I was desperate. I didn’t have the money and was about to sell my goats to raise the funds. Fortunately, GiveDirectly's support arrived just in time. I used $100 from the transfer for their fees, giving $50 to each child to reduce their arrears. We have five plastic chairs, but with a family of eight and frequent visitors, they often aren’t enough. So, I decided to use $48 from the transfer to buy four additional plastic chairs. I had also planted maize on my 5-acre land, but the floods that struck our community didn’t spare my crops; I lost it all. Knowing that maize is our staple food, I decided to use the remaining amount from the transfer to purchase two bags of maize, which will sustain us for about three months."

"Before receiving the transfer, life was incredibly challenging. I didn’t have money, and I had lost my maize and vegetables to floods, which I was relying on for income. With my children’s school fees due, and since they had been sent home two days before the transfer, we were planning to go to the school and speak to the head teacher, unsure of how we’d manage to pay afterward. The total fee was $110, and it felt overwhelming. However, thanks to the GiveDirectly transfer, I was able to reduce that amount significantly, and now I’m only left with $30 to pay for this term. This has brought me relief and peace of mind."

"With my first transfer, I decided to buy two sheep, each costing $60. Compared to goats, sheep are easier to manage because they are calm and require less care, especially since many people in the area have invested in crop farming, which limits grazing fields. This purchase also serves as a future investment for me. Additionally, I bought a bed and mattress for my two children, totaling $56. We had been sharing a bed, but with the arrival of my newborn, there wasn't enough space for all of us. Consequently, the children had to sleep on the floor, which was unsafe given the cold season. As a new mom, food was essential, so I used the remaining funds to buy a variety of food. I am grateful to GiveDirectly for their timely support."

"As a single mom of four children, with three in high school, I used to rely on my shop, posho mill, and poultry farming to meet all our needs. But after the floods, I lost my poultry, and now I only have the posho mill and shop, neither of which is doing well. The fees for my three children in boarding school total about $600 per term, and this has been a constant source of stress for me. It’s not easy, but as a mother, my children's education is my top priority, and I will always work hard to ensure they get the best education possible. When I received my transfer from GiveDirectly, it felt like a blessing that lifted a huge weight off my shoulders. For the first time, I was able to reduce my arrears without the overwhelming stress of figuring out how to pay the fees. Now, I feel much more at ease, knowing that I can use my next transfer to cover the fees for the coming term."

"Since receiving the unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, I've felt a real sense of progress in my life. It has always been my dream to have a flock of about 20 sheep, and while I had just 3 before, I'm now up to 5. Adding those 2 sheep might seem small to some, but to me, it's a significant step toward achieving my goal. Each sheep represents a form of financial security for me, and growing my flock brings me closer to that peace of mind I've always wanted. The transfers have made this possible, and I can't express how much it means to see my dream slowly taking shape."