"What stood out most was the unconditional cash I received from GiveDirectly. This support has allowed me to focus on two important areas of my life: agriculture and education. With this assistance, I have been able to invest in farming, which helps me provide food for my family and earn an income, as well as support my children’s education by paying their school fees. For this, I am truly grateful. I don’t have any specific recommendations other than for GiveDirectly to continue running this program as it is, as it has already made a significant difference in my life and the lives of others in my community."

"As soon as I received the transfers, the first idea that came to mind was that I build a house for myself. This is because at the time I was staying with my parents with my child after I had moved back from my husband's home early February this year. I had to leave my husband's house since he had failed to honor tradition by paying for my bride price, leading me to move back in with my parents. Since I did not want to keep being a burden to my parents, I decided to spend 350 USD from the money I got in building a home for my child and I. Afterwards I proceeded to spend 5 USD on buying a mattress for our new home. Finally I decided to save 150 USD because next year my child will finally start school and I plan on using that money to pay for the tuition. This money will allow my daughter to get an education."

"I am a farmer, but after losing my two acres of maize to devastating floods, I lacked the capital to continue crop farming. When I received my second transfer from GiveDirectly, I knew I had to invest it wisely to get back on my feet. I spent $150 to prepare my two acres of land, bought maize seeds, and planted them. I also set aside another $150 to cover management practices, ensuring I could properly care for the crops throughout the growing season. To protect my fields, I erected temporary fencing at a cost of $40, knowing this would keep animals away and give my crops a better chance to thrive. Additionally, to ensure I had food while waiting for the harvest, I bought a bag of maize for $40, beans for $11, and other essentials like rice and sugar for $20. I also set aside $30 for any arising needs and used $6 for transportation to town and back. Thank you, GiveDirectly!"

"Life had been a constant struggle, especially with my crops being destroyed by goats. I had always dreamed of having a safe farm where I could grow my food without worrying about animals getting in. So, I spent $420 to fence my home using barked and jailing wire. This investment was essential for protecting my farm and ensuring that my crops could grow freely without disturbance. It was a relief to finally know that my vegetables, which are my main source of food, would be safe from harm. Once I had fenced the farm, I used the remaining amount of money to buy new clothes. My old clothes were worn out and unsuitable for any occasion, so I felt it was time to invest in something better. As a single person, living alone, I had been managing on my own, cooking and taking care of everything. It felt good to finally have something new to wear, especially with the holidays approaching. Farming has been my main way of surviving, and it’s what keeps me going. I plant vegetables to ensure I have food to eat, and sometimes I sell a little to make some extra money. This cash transfer has made a huge difference in my life. It has helped me secure my farm and improve my living conditions, and I’m grateful for the support."

"In the coming years, I want to focus on farming, particularly growing watermelons, as I believe it will bring good income. When I start earning from the watermelons, my plan is to open a business shop. I will use the profits from that shop to pay for my children’s education, ensuring they have a better future. Farming and business will be key to improving our lives and providing for my family. I am determined to make sure my children get an education and have the opportunities I never had. This will be a step toward securing a brighter future for all of us."

"In the coming years, I hope to expand my farming business. When I get my third transfer, I will use the money to buy cows. This will help my family by providing us with milk, which will save us money from buying it, and I can also sell the milk to generate income. With the money from the cows, I plan to buy food and other essentials for my family. I believe this investment will improve our lives and make us more self-sufficient. I am hopeful that with these steps, my family will be happier and more secure in the future."

"I am truly grateful for the support I received, and I knew I had to give back to God, so I took $45 as a tithe at church to thank Him for His blessings. Farming has always been my source of livelihood, and with the unconditional cash transfer, I was able to invest $270 in preparing my farm. This included plowing, labor for preparation, tomato seeds, and vegetables. Farming not only helps me meet my family’s needs, but it also helps pay for my children’s school fees. Over the years, I’ve also used the income from farming to buy livestock such as goats and sheep, which I can sell for further investment or to support my business. The floods, however, caused a major setback. They destroyed my beans, goats, sheep, and even the maize in my store, leaving me devastated. Despite this, I didn’t give up, and with the remaining money, I spent $90 on food, ensuring my family had enough to eat. I also spent $40 on stocking my grocery business in town, which has started to grow. Before I had limited stock, making only $10 per day, but now with more stock, I am able to make $24 per day.Though life was hard after the floods, I feel a sense of relief and hope now that I am recovering. Thanks to GiveDirectly’s support, I have been able to rebuild my life and my business. I still have a long way to go, but I am optimistic that with hard work and God's blessings, I will continue to make progress. I am forever grateful for this opportunity."

"I really appreciate how GiveDirectly follows up with us to make sure we use the unconditional cash correctly, so we don’t misuse it. It's also reassuring that they don’t ask for the money back once it’s given, which helps us feel secure in using it wisely. I have not noticed anything bad about GiveDirectly; everything has been well organized and transparent. The support they provide is very helpful, and I feel confident in how they handle everything. They’ve made sure to guide us properly, and I’m grateful for that. Overall, I’m satisfied with the way they’ve conducted the process, and I haven’t seen any areas for improvement."

"I am a passionate farmer, and when I received the unconditional cash transfer, I knew exactly how I wanted to use it to improve my family’s situation. I spent $240 on farming, as I plan to sell my harvest to cover the school fees for my eight children. Education is a top priority for me, and I want to ensure that my children get a good start in life. However, farming is also my livelihood, so I used $77 to buy medicine for my livestock, as they had fallen ill. My livestock is a key source of income, and I wanted to ensure they remain healthy to continue providing for my family.Furthermore, I used $40 to buy new clothes for my children, as their old ones were worn out. Seeing them in new clothes not only boosts their confidence but also gives me peace of mind knowing they have what they need. I also spent $80 on food, as we rely heavily on farming, especially vegetables, to feed the family. This purchase ensured we have enough to eat without the constant worry of where our next meal will come from, allowing me to focus on my work without stress.Life has been tough since my husband passed away four years ago, and I’ve been doing everything I can to ensure my children’s well-being. I struggle, but I’m determined to give my children the best opportunities despite the challenges. The money from GiveDirectly has made a significant difference, helping me meet some of my immediate needs and secure a better future for my family."

"Life had been very challenging for me, especially with the responsibility of raising two children and managing a household after my husband retired as a security guard four years ago. Recognizing the need for more space for my growing sons, I used $230 from the cash transfer to buy materials to build a house for them. This decision was necessary to ensure their comfort and privacy. Additionally, I purchased a new bed and mattress for $70 because my sons had been sleeping on the sofas. I gave them my old bed so everyone in the family could sleep more comfortably.I also made essential improvements to our home. I spent $15 on two chairs and $16 on curtains to make the house more functional and welcoming. With $20, I repaired our kitchen, which had been in bad condition for some time and needed immediate attention. Unfortunately, I fell ill with typhoid and malaria and had to spend $20 on medical bills to recover. Taking care of my health was crucial for maintaining my ability to provide for my family.With the remaining amount, I bought food to ensure there was enough at home, which meant I no longer had to rely on casual jobs to feed my family. This allowed me to focus on farming and spending more time with my children. The cash transfer has transformed my life, giving me stability, better health, and peace at home, for which I am incredibly grateful."