"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I immediately thought about how to invest it wisely. I had recently secured a tender to supply vegetables to a nearby school, and I decided to use $510 of the money to cover the cost of the supplies. It was a good opportunity, but without the cash, I wouldn't have been able to fulfill the order. Now that the vegetables have been delivered, I expect to make a 50% profit, which will help me a lot. I'm grateful to GiveDirectly because, without the transfer, my business would have been at a standstill. Normally, I rely on income from my poultry farming and renting out houses, but business hasn't been doing well lately. The poultry farm's production has dropped, and tenants have delayed payments. I’m hopeful that as business picks up, I’ll be in a better position to manage my finances, but this assistance came at just the right time. With the remaining $40, I paid the school fees for my son, who’s in Grade 1. I hadn’t been able to pay this term, and I was worried he’d be sent home soon. The relief I felt after making that payment was immense—I didn’t want him to miss out on school because of money issues."

"The biggest difference I have seen in my life since I received the transfer is that I have been able to build my pit latrine. Before that, we used to share with my in-laws, who live in another compound, and it was a constant challenge. I was also the only one in the homestead without a latrine, and it made me feel ashamed sometimes. It wasn't something I ever talked about, but it weighed on me. Having a latrine right here at home has improved my family’s comfort and dignity. I am so grateful to GiveDirectly for changing my story. It may seem like a small thing, but for us, it’s a huge improvement in our daily lives. Now, I no longer worry about where we’ll go or feel embarrassed when visitors come over. It feels like a new chapter in my life, one where I have the basic things I need."

"I had just finished washing clothes, and as usual, I picked up my phone to check for any messages or missed calls. To my surprise, I saw a message that I had received money from GiveDirectly! I was so excited. I immediately told my husband, who was right there with me, and he was just as happy. We had been waiting for this moment because we had already planned to use the money to boost his charcoal business, and now that the money was finally in our hands, we felt a huge sense of relief and gratitude."

"I had just finished washing clothes, and as usual, I picked up my phone to check for any messages or missed calls. To my surprise, I saw a message that I had received money from GiveDirectly! I was so excited. I immediately told my husband, who was right there with me, and he was just as happy. We had been waiting for this moment because we had already planned to use the money to boost his charcoal business, and now that the money was finally in our hands, we felt a huge sense of relief and gratitude."

"GiveDirectly excels at delivering unconditional cash transfers efficiently. Their follow-up after the transfers is thorough, ensuring recipients use it wisely. Sending the money in installments is particularly helpful, as it allows for better planning. You know the amount to expect and can prepare for it in advance. In my opinion, GiveDirectly’s approach works very well. I see no areas for improvement and would recommend they continue with this same method as they assist more people."

"When I received $200 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with happiness and gratitude. I felt so relieved because I had many challenges in my life. I allocated $100 to pay part of the school fees balance for one of my children. While I couldn't pay the entire amount, I was happy that this would keep my child in school for now. Next, I used $30 to buy food. The money came just when my family had nothing to eat. We had been surviving on one meal a day, but now we can eat three times a day. This has brought so much relief, and my relationship with my family has greatly improved. I no longer feel the pressure of trying to find food every day, and my mental health has gotten better, especially when I see my kids happy and full of energy. I also used $30 to buy new clothes for my seven children. I wanted them to feel supported, and seeing them smile in their new clothes made me very happy. Now, as a family, we are all much happier. The remaining money was used to buy medicine for my goats, and they have improved in health. They are now competitive in the market, which is a big boost for us. This support has made a big difference in our lives, and we are truly grateful."

"When I got the cash transfer, it felt like a blessing. The first thing I thought about was my children's education. I used $100 to pay their school fees because I didn’t want them to miss out on school. My husband and I are casual laborers, but life has been hard since he got sick with tuberculosis. He can no longer do heavy work, so I’ve had to take on most of the work. Keeping my children in school was important because I know education is the way to a better life. After paying the fees, I used $75 to buy food for the family. We have 12 people in the house, including my two grandchildren, and we were really struggling. Before the cash transfer, we were often hungry and only eating one meal a day. But now, thanks to the help from GiveDirectly, we can eat three times a day.With the last $5, I bought clothes for my grandchildren. It hurt me to see them in torn clothes, but we didn’t have enough money to buy new ones before. Now, they look neat and comfortable, and seeing them happy makes me happy too. The cash transfer has changed our lives in so many ways, and I am truly grateful."

"Moving forward, my primary goal is to keep my children in school and ensure they continue learning without any obstacles. To achieve this, I plan to use part of my future transfers to cover their school fees. Additionally, I want to continue expanding my business by investing in more stock, which will help increase my income. I have also joined a savings group, where I contribute a portion of my earnings every month. Through this group, I hope to build up enough savings to qualify for a loan, which I can then use to further grow my business. I am truly appreciative of the financial support that has empowered me to pursue these goals and create a brighter future for my family."

"Without a stable source of income, it’s been a constant struggle for my husband and me to provide for our family. This situation has motivated me to start a small grocery business, which I believe will offer a more reliable source of income and help us meet our family’s needs. To achieve this goal, I plan to set aside a small amount from each transfer until I have enough capital to launch the business. Once I start, I hope to attract a steady stream of customers and generate a sustainable income. I am truly appreciative of the financial assistance, which has empowered me to work toward a brighter future for my family."

"When GiveDirectly initially arrived in my village and offered financial assistance, it was a huge relief for my household. We readily joined the program as its primary aim was to help us alleviate the poverty we were experiencing. I was facing significant challenges with housing as my current dwelling was in poor condition. The roof was worn, and the recent rains had caused further damage, leaving it leaking and structurally weak. Instead of renovating the old house, I made the decision to construct a new, permanent stone house. While I managed to complete the entire structure, I lacked the financial resources to purchase the remaining materials for the roofing, such as iron sheets, timber, and nails. Upon receiving the transfer, I was able to purchase these materials and cover the labor costs. With the help of the transfer, I am now close to completing my new, spacious, and permanent three-roomed house, which brings me immense gratitude. This achievement would have taken years to accomplish, especially considering that I also have significant financial obligations, such as paying school fees for my four children, one of whom is in university, one in high school, and the others in primary school."