"The biggest change in my life after receiving the transfer is that I now have goats that give us milk, something I never imagined owning. Before, I depended only on casual jobs, which barely covered our food, let alone allowed me to save or invest in anything long-term. The idea of buying livestock felt impossible because we were always focused on just getting by. But now, thanks to the money from GiveDirectly, I have these goats, which give us a steady supply of milk and help reduce our expenses. This small investment feels like a step toward a more secure future. Having goats also gives me hope that I can continue building a better life for my family, something I didn’t think was possible before."

"Before receiving the transfer, building a store was just a distant hope. My teaching salary was already stretched thin to cover food, school fees, and other needs for my four children. I knew a store would help us keep our supplies safe and make life easier, but it never felt possible because it wasn’t a basic need compared to everything else. The cash transfer allowed me to finally make it happen. Now, we have a secure place to store food and materials, which means I can buy in bulk when prices are low and protect our supplies from weather and pests. This change has lifted a big weight off my shoulders, and I’m incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality."

"GiveDirectly did an excellent job educating us on how to use the funds wisely. They asked thoughtful questions that encouraged us to consider our needs carefully and provided valuable advice on using the money effectively. Their support made us feel confident and satisfied with their work. We encountered no issues or weaknesses in their program; everything went smoothly. They listened to our concerns and offered guidance that was both practical and helpful. We are truly grateful for their efforts and appreciate the positive impact they have made on our lives."

"We are going through incredibly tough times right now. The dry spell has stretched on and on, bringing severe drought, and leaving us all facing hunger. This year, with things as they are, my priority is to keep using my transfers to buy food and water so my family can get by until the rains finally come and we can hopefully harvest enough to fill our stores again. Also, looking ahead, I dream of building something sustainable for my future. Once the drought conditions improve, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the small herd that I already have. I envision these goats multiplying over time, giving me a source of income that I can lean on in the future when this program eventually comes to an end. Additionally, managing my health is another important goal. I plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy my monthly medication so I can take care of myself and stay strong. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to GiveDirectly for this support. It is not just helping us get through these challenging days but it is also giving me hope and a chance to build a future I can rely on."

"I have always dreamt of having a proper bed and a mattress to rest on, especially since I am currently sleeping on a bed made of ropes with no mattress on it making it very uncomfortable. Finally, I managed to pay off the bed, but now I’m focused on saving up for a mattress. Recently, I was able to complete payments for the bed that I wanted. Now, my plan for this coming year is to set aside a portion of my transfers, little by little, until I have enough to buy a comfortable mattress. Just imagining having a comfortable place to sleep fills me with hope and gratitude. After that, I want to use part of my transfers to buy goats, adding to the few I already have hoping that they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future I may have something to rely on. Additionally, with my health being a concern at my age, I also plan to dedicate part of my transfers to seeking medical care and ensuring I can manage my nutrition so I can live as healthily as possible. I feel incredibly thankful for the support I get from GiveDirectly."

"With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible."

"With the current drought and hunger impacting us in our region, my top priority is ensuring my family's health and nutrition. I therefore plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water until the rains come, and we can finally harvest and put an end to this hunger crisis. Additionally, I intend to invest another portion in acquiring more goats and chicken, hoping they will multiply and grow in both numbers and value. These animals will become a valuable asset for me which I can rely on in the future, especially when this program concludes. I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly as it has been a lifeline for my family during these tough times."

"My house is quite small and needs some repairs, along with an extension of one room to make it more comfortable and provide me with a private space. My plan for this coming year and beyond is to continue saving a portion of my transfers in a merry-go-round group. Once I receive the pooled funds, I intend to use them to renovate my home and add that much-needed room. Additionally, I want to buy a bed and mattress with the pooled funds because right now, I am sleeping on a bed made of ropes without a mattress, and it is very uncomfortable. Having a proper place to sleep would make a world of difference in my life especially with my age and condition. Once I achieve these improvements, I will continue saving a portion of my transfers and use the funds to buy goats. My hope is that they will multiply, providing me with a reliable source of support when this program comes to an end. I am excited about these plans and the possibilities they hold for my future!"

"The roof over my home has seen better days because it is filled with holes and badly needs repair. This coming year, I am determined to renovate it so that I can have a safe and comfortable place to live. To make this happen, I plan to keep setting aside a portion of my GiveDirectly transfers in our local savings group until I have gathered enough to fix the roof. Just the thought of having a well-roofed home fills me with such hope and excitement. Once I complete this renovation, I want to keep saving that same portion, but this time, I will invest it in buying goats. I dream of watching my small herd grow, multiplying over time, and creating a sustainable source of income for the future knowing that I could rely on it even after this program ends. I am incredibly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly; it has given me the chance to build a safer, more secure future for my family, and for that, I am beyond thankful."

"Receiving my first transfer was a relief, and my first priority was to pay for a school trip for our two children, who were on the verge of being locked out due to unpaid fees. The trip cost $15 per child, and I could not imagine how they would feel if they missed out on this opportunity. Additionally, I gave my wife $40 to buy clothes for the children since their clothes were worn out. I also gave her $60 to purchase a bed and mattress for our children, as they had been sleeping on the floor on a worn-out mattress, which was unsafe due to the risk of snakes. Now, I no longer have to pray for their safety every night. Knowing they are sleeping well on a new bed and mattress gives my wife and me peace. With the remaining $70, I addressed another pressing concern: food. After we were displaced by the floods, starting over has been challenging, especially since my wife is currently unemployed and my income is limited. We bought food that sustained us for a while, and I am grateful to say that we still have some left. For the first time in a while, I did not have to worry about food, allowing me to focus on other needs. Thank you, GiveDirectly."