"After receiving $450 from GiveDirectly, I decided to make thoughtful choices, especially since I was recently affected by floods. I already owned a plot in a safer area, one not prone to flooding, and made plans to relocate. With $230 of the funds, I purchased fencing materials to secure the plot, taking a crucial first step before thinking of building a home there. I’m eagerly waiting for the next GiveDirectly transfer to cover labor costs and begin construction, which will permanently protect us from the threat of future floods. I am deeply grateful to GiveDirectly for making this possible. Next, I invested $150 in three goats, knowing they would thrive in our area’s hot climate. Goats are resilient during the dry seasons we often experience, and I am confident they will multiply into a large herd that can generate income and provide support in emergencies. To celebrate my child’s graduation from PP2, I used $30 to cover the graduation fees. This investment in their education brings me immense satisfaction because I know how valuable education will be for their future. Finally, I used the remaining funds to purchase food, ensuring my family had enough to eat. With this support, I have been able to plan for our safety, improve our food security, and invest in assets that will bring stability. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I can see a future filled with hope, stability, and resilience."

"Upon receiving $180 from GiveDirectly, I was filled with joy and carefully planned how to use the money to address the things I was lacking. I decided to spend $100 to buy two sheep, aiming to create a sustainable source of income. As the sheep multiply, I’ll be able to use them to pay school fees in the future and have something to rely on in emergencies. After that, I spent $15 on food to ensure that my family had enough to eat as we went about our daily activities. Additionally, I used $15 to improve our home by purchasing a door, finally securing the house, and protecting our belongings. I used the remaining amount to fuel my motorcycle so we could attend my child’s prayer day, and I also bought household essentials like utensils and other non-food items that we were missing. This support from GiveDirectly has allowed me to make meaningful improvements in my life and has given me a sense of security and hope for the future."

"I was filled with happiness and gratitude when I received $450 from GiveDirectly. After careful planning with my husband, we decided to invest the money in livestock, as we saw this as a sustainable way to secure our future. I used $420 to buy seven goats. With my background as a livestock keeper, I understand how to care for them, and I know how profitable this venture can be. As the goats multiply, they will provide a reliable source of income that I can use to support our farming and meet other personal and household needs. With the remaining amount, I decided to boost my poultry business, which had suffered losses after recent floods washed away some of our chickens. I bought 15 young chicks with the money, planning to raise them for egg and meat production. This addition to our income sources will allow me to pay school fees and buy food for my family without depending solely on my husband. Thanks to GiveDirectly, I now feel more secure and empowered to meet our family's needs."

"What I appreciate most about GiveDirectly is their approach to providing unconditional cash transfers. This support allows us the freedom to use the funds in ways that best address our individual needs and challenges. With this flexibility, I can prioritize what's most important for my family without restrictions, whether that’s covering school fees, purchasing food, or investing in sustainable projects. I would strongly recommend that GiveDirectly continue to expand this model and enroll more people. Keeping the focus on unconditional cash transfers is impactful, empowering more families to make meaningful, self-directed improvements in their lives."

"What stood out to me about GiveDirectly is the professionalism of their officers and the flexibility of their unconditional cash support. This approach gives someone like me the freedom to use the money in ways that directly address my personal needs and challenges. I am incredibly grateful for this support, but I would also suggest that GiveDirectly consider expanding their programs to help people affected by floods, especially by assisting with building safer housing for them. This would further help people in vulnerable situations rebuild their lives."

"With the current drought and hunger affecting our region, I plan to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water to keep my family from going hungry until this dry spell is over. Water has become very scarce, and we have to pay motorcycle transporters to travel long distances to bring us water, which is quite costly. Once the rains return and we have enough water and food from our farms, my focus will then shift toward investing in goats, as well as more ducks and chicken. I hope that these animals will multiply over time, increasing both in number and value. These will be a valuable asset and will provide me with a reliable resource to support my family, especially once this program ends."

"For a long time, my children and I have been sleeping on uncomfortable beds made of ropes, without proper bedding. I’ve always wanted to change our sleeping situation. Thanks to my previous transfers, I was able to buy a bed and mattress for myself. Now, my goal is to get another bed and mattress for my children so they can sleep comfortably too. To achieve this, I plan to save a portion of my future transfers to eventually buy them their bed and mattress. Additionally, I have been repairing my house, and I am just a small amount away from completing those repairs. I intend to use another portion of my future transfers to finish up the work. Once the house is complete and my children have their new beds, I will feel incredibly happy. I never thought I would be able to achieve these things, but thanks to the transfers, it is becoming a reality. After that, I plan to invest a portion of my transfers into goats, hoping they will multiply in number and value so that in future I will have something to rely on when this program comes to an end."

"My children and I currently do not have a proper home to sleep in. Right now, I sleep in a very small kitchen, where I take my bedding outside in the morning to make space for cooking and bring it back in the evening when it is time for bed. Also, my children have to borrow places to sleep from relatives, and this has been incredibly frustrating for me. To change this, I started a journey to build a three-room house for my family using the transfers that I received from GiveDirectly. My plan for this year and beyond is to continue using a portion of my transfers to buy building materials, ensuring that my house reaches completion. I feel so excited and happy to see the progress on my house and to imagine living there with my children. Additionally, with my kids in school, I am committed to using another portion of my transfers to pay their school fees so they can continue their education. I am truly grateful for the opportunities that GiveDirectly has provided for me and my family."

"My focus for the coming year and beyond is to acquire a set of male cows that I can use to plow my farm. I even plan to hire them out to earn some extra income. I already have an oxen-driven disc plow, so the only thing I need now is the cows. To achieve this goal, I have been buying goats and intend to keep investing a portion of my transfers into buying more goats. I hope that they will multiply, increasing both their number and value. This way, I can eventually trade them for the cows I need. Once I reach that milestone, I plan to redirect my transfers to save up enough to start a grocery kiosk. This kiosk will allow me to sell household commodities, providing my family with a daily income stream that will help sustain us. I’m optimistic that these plans will lead to greater financial stability for my family and create a brighter future for us all."

"Currently, my children and I live in an area with unresolved conflicts, which makes me feel uneasy about our future here. My dream for the coming year and beyond is to buy a piece of land of our own, where we can build a safe, peaceful home. Since buying land is expensive and beyond my current means, I plan to start small. I intend to use a portion of my transfers to buy goats, with the hope that they will multiply over time. As their numbers grow, I can eventually trade them for male cows, which I’ll train to plow my farm. Once these cows mature into strong bulls, my goal is to sell them and use the proceeds to purchase that piece of land I’ve longed for. I am incredibly grateful for the support that GiveDirectly has given me, and I hold onto hope and prayer that one day I’ll be able to provide my children and myself with the security and peace we deserve."