"The support from GiveDirectly has been truly amazing, making a significant impact on our living standards. We were facing numerous struggles before this, but now we have something we can call our own and can generate income from the few projects we managed to complete. Clearing a debt of $300 on a motorcycle we obtained on credit is a significant achievement for us. This happened in the very last part of our transfers, and it was our only hope after several nights of going without food, as all we earned from our daily chores went toward repaying the asset. After this much-needed relief, we allocated $31 for food for my family of four and the remaining $119 for the purchase of iron sheets, which I plan to use in constructing a better and larger house. Currently, we live in a small one, and it is our aspiration to upgrade to a more decent and spacious dwelling, replacing the old one we currently occupy. I am delighted that we can now save on the motorcycle taxi services my husband provides to the community and his cobbler business in the nearby shopping center, which earns him at least $5 combined most days."

"Even though farming has been challenging due to the persistent lack of rain, I find that managing a small piece of land is still possible, despite the narrow profit margins after harvesting. Currently, and in the months ahead, I am focusing on small parcels of land that I plan to cultivate in rotation over the coming years. Right now, I am preparing a half-acre plot with the intention of planting lentils. Since lentils are a short-season crop, I will be diligently irrigating the land every evening from the nearby river, with the hope that it won't dry up soon, considering it is a shared resource for the entire community, especially those with farms adjacent to it."

"GiveDirectly is truly doing a remarkable job with its financial support. What stands out is their unbiased approach – they visit every household, enroll them, and direct the same amount to their accounts, ensuring fairness. The freedom they provide in how we use the cash transfer has empowered everyone to tackle the pressing challenges in their households. The impact is visible in every home, leading to a significant transformation throughout the entire village. I can't fault the project in any way; in fact, I hope it can extend its reach to all other villages facing similar challenges, like the drought and famine we endured. This kind of support would make a world of difference elsewhere, as it has here."

"Even though the drought has been relentless, and its persistence has resulted in poor farm productivity, I still hold onto the hope of improving my farming activities, especially livestock farming. During a good season, this can be a reliable way to generate enough income from surplus produce to cover my children's school fees. My son and I continue to search for scarce casual jobs and save up to facilitate land preparation and planting in the upcoming season. I am hopeful that we will receive more rain towards December, allowing us to plant short-season crops, which is our goal."

"GiveDirectly has truly done an incredible job, bringing about a remarkable transformation and balance in our village. Families who once struggled to afford education fees have built new homes, and others have invested in livestock, which continues to provide for them. The improvements in hygiene and sanitation, thanks to the construction of latrines and the purchase of water tanks, have been a significant benefit to our community. Personally, I can't think of any specific recommendations for change; I am just hopeful that we might receive further support in the future to continue this positive trajectory."

"GiveDirectly has truly been amazing for me and my family, helping us achieve milestones that would have been otherwise impossible. The uniqueness of this cash transfer program, with its unconditional spending, has been its strength. We all have different challenges in our households, and this flexibility allowed us to address our most pressing needs. What's more, it was entirely fair and did not discriminate; as long as one met the criteria, they could benefit. I sincerely believe that nothing should be changed as GiveDirectly extends its support to other villages. The same approach has been incredibly helpful, and I hope it continues to make a positive impact on many more families like mine."

"It's been quite difficult for us living in our current houses. They are dilapidated and need immediate repairs. We have a grass thatched one and a whole-round iron sheet house. They both have been destroyed by termites due to the wooden inner structure. This has affected our ability as a family to sleep well during raining seasons. It's also difficult hosting our guests or even when our children and grandchildren come to visit."

"As a family we face a big food problem. It's difficult putting food on the table due to the high cost of living. We depend on casual jobs to gain income to buy food. These jobs pay poorly meaning we sometimes lack food. The drought has led to water shortage and no rains means no farming. We are also not able to irrigate our farms due to water shortage. This has led to never ending food insecurity due to low to zero farm productivity."

"Water scarcity is what has challenged me the most. This is because, in our area, we have only 1 water pan that serves both the people and the livestock around. This makes the water unsafe for human consumption but because I lack money to buy clean water, my family is forced to drink the same dirty water and it has put us in a dangerous situation. I am currently worried about the announced country-wide outbreak of cholera. Hence, I consider this situation as what has made my life harder."

"The lack of freedom to do my desired project of livestock keeping is what I consider to be my biggest challenge. This is because our area is prone to livestock theft a situation that has hindered me from investing much in this favorable project. Very recently, my cow was stolen and this demoralized me a lot. As I speak, I am confused about how I will support my family if I don't have this livestock project which is depended on by most people. What a life of worry to live in this village!"