"I appreciate the way GiveDirectly officers approach us. Your advice is always accurate and reliable, never misleading. Your language is respectful and trustworthy, which has earned our confidence. I have not seen any mistakes in your interactions. Please continue using this effective communication style wherever you go. When you enroll others, we hope you will return to help us again, as we truly value your support."

"With the first transfer, I had started building our house, but it was still incomplete. Using $20 from the second transfer, I was able to finish the construction, providing us with a safe and comfortable home. This was a huge relief, knowing that my family now had a proper roof over our heads. After completing the house, my next priority was to improve our living conditions inside. I used $105 to buy a bed and a mattress, as I had been sleeping on a papyrus reed bed, which was neither comfortable nor good for my health. Additionally, I spent $100 to pay school fees for my four children. Ensuring that they stay in school is crucial for their future, and this money has lifted the burden of worrying about their education expenses. With $90, I purchased household food items, ensuring that we have enough to eat and can maintain a nutritious diet. I also used $50 to buy clothes for my children, who desperately needed them. The remainder of the money has been saved as an emergency fund, providing a safety net for unexpected needs such as additional school fees or food items. This financial cushion gives me peace of mind and a sense of security for our future."

"When I received the unconditional cash transfer, I used $300 to extend another room in my house, purchasing iron sheets, posts, and frames. Previously, we were living in a cramped one-room house, which was quite challenging with my two children. With this new addition, my children can now sleep comfortably in the extended room, reducing congestion. This extra space has also allowed me to set up a small area for my sewing work. Having undergone training in sewing but lacking a machine, I used $150 of the transfer to buy a sewing machine. Now, I can sew comfortably at home, and I have started attracting customers from my community. This new venture not only provides me with an additional source of income but also gives me a sense of accomplishment and independence. With the remaining money, I bought two goats, which are valuable assets that can be sold in times of emergency, and I paid school fees for my son, who is in Grade 1. The goats will help ensure our financial stability in the future, and ensuring my son's education is a top priority for me. This cash transfer has truly transformed our lives, providing us with both immediate relief and long-term opportunities."

"I used $50 to pay the balance to the mason who was constructing my house, which I had been unable to clear. With another $50, I finally bought a mattress for my 5x6 bed, which had been without one for far too long. This allowed me to give the smaller bed to my children, so they now have their own bed to sleep on comfortably. I then invested $100 in purchasing two goats. These goats are valuable assets that can provide financial support in case of emergencies. To further secure our future, I put aside $200 to start a restaurant business. I identified a rental unit and am currently doing some renovations to make it suitable for the business. Having stayed at home and focused on farming, I felt it was time to venture into my own business for additional income. The remaining $100 was used to buy essential furniture for my house, including sofa sets and tables, which I couldn't afford before. My husband does casual labor to support us, but having a proper home with comfortable furniture makes a huge difference in our daily lives. Overall, the cash transfer has significantly improved our living conditions and provided opportunities for a better future."

"I’m really excited about what I hope to accomplish in the coming year. Every Friday, I contribute to a savings group with some friends, and at the end of the year, we do a share-out. This year, I plan to use that money to really push my tailoring business forward. My main goal is to grow my business to the point where I can not only buy fabric to sell but also open another boutique for selling clothes. I’ve been dreaming of expanding my business like this for a while, and the savings group funds will be a big help. I’ve also got another plan in place: I’m going to sell some goats that I bought with the initial transfers from the group. This will give me an extra boost of capital. All of this is so important to me because I want to ensure that my daughter gets the best education possible. I know that achieving financial stability is crucial to making this happen. So, with these plans in motion, I’m hopeful that by the end of the year, I’ll have made significant progress towards these goals and be able to provide a better future for my daughter."

"We live in a house that is made of palm leaf roofing, and I have always dreamt of having a house made of an iron sheet roof. My plan for the future is to build the house of my dreams. To achieve this, I first need to have food security so that the transfers I use to buy food can be redirected to buying building materials.Therefore, in the next planting season, I plan to put in extra effort in land preparation and farming generally, hoping that the rains will come to allow our farms to yield bountiful harvests. This will enable me to gradually start buying building materials with some of the transfers. I will be very happy and excited to own the house of my dreams. I also plan to use a portion of the transfers to start a kiosk where I will be selling non-perishable goods, which will be our daily source of income for our family's sustenance."

"I used my previous transfers and ventured into turkey farming, and my plan is to continue using my transfers to grow this venture. Currently, I have 22 turkeys, and my hope is that they continue multiplying and grow in number and value so that I may be able to sell them in the future. I have already identified a market for them, and when I sell some of them, I plan to use the proceeds to buy goats. It is my hope that these goats too will multiply and increase in number, and I will trade some of them in the future for milk cows and use the milk for my family's consumption. These cows, too, I hope, will multiply and increase in number so that I may be able to sell some in the future. I want to have a variety of livestock on my farm so that I may sell some and start a kiosk where I will be selling non-perishable goods and have a daily income-generating source for daily sustenance for my family. Thereafter, I plan to build a rental house in the future to have a consistent income-generating project. To build this house, I will use the proceeds I will make from selling some of my livestock. Since we consider livestock our banks, leveraging the transfers to invest in livestock is a proactive step to creating a reliable and growing asset base that can provide for my family's needs even after the transfers come to an end."

"Previously, I had a plan to start a dried fish-selling business, and I did venture into it. However, after a few months, I realized that I was not making much progress with the business, so I had to stop it and take another course. My plan for this year and beyond is to continue saving a portion of my transfers in a merry-go-round group. When I receive the pooled funds, I plan to use them to buy more livestock, especially goats and some chickens. I hope that these animals will increase in number and value so that, in the future, I can trade them for cows, particularly for milk. The milk will be for my household consumption, providing nutrition for my family, and any surplus can be sold. These milk cows will also multiply and increase in number and value. I plan to sell the cows in the future to support my family. This livestock investment strategy is my new focus, as I believe it will be more successful and sustainable than the dried fish business I previously attempted."

"The biggest difference since receiving unconditional cash from GiveDirectly is our new home. Our previous house was just one room with a leaking roof, making life difficult for my wife, our 3-year-old son, and I. We used to stay in town because going back home was challenging due to the house's condition. Now, we have a warm, comfortable house of our own, free from leaks. It's changed everything for us, providing stability and peace of mind that we didn't have before."

"The biggest difference I've seen is the relief from the constant stress of not having enough food. With the money, I was able to buy enough food items to last my family for a month, easing my worries about our next meal. Looking ahead, I'm hopeful about starting a tailoring business in the nearby shopping center once I receive the next transfers. This will not only provide a sustainable income but also ensure a steady food supply for us. Additionally, another significant change is the prospect of moving into my own house. Currently, we stay in my brother's house, which can feel uncomfortable when they return for holidays. Having our own place will bring a sense of stability and belonging for me and my children. I'm grateful to GiveDirectly for giving me the opportunity to dream and plan for a brighter future."