"One of the immediate decisions was to allocate $200 towards dowry payments immediately we received the transfers. This step addressed a significant cultural obligation and contributed to family unity and stability. Resolving this financial matter was crucial in ensuring our relationships remained intact and harmonious. Recognizing the potential for growth and financial security. The purchase of five goats, including one male and four females, amounted to $200. This investment holds multiple benefits; besides being a source of income, the female goats would multiply, potentially expanding our financial resources. This signifies a departure from a hand-to-mouth existence, as we now possess a means of generating income that has the potential to alleviate financial pressures. Part of the transfers, $50, was designated for purchasing food. Previously, I had resorted to selling charcoal to generate income to buy food. The ability to purchase food directly helps meets a basic need and also spares us from the exhausting endeavor of trading physical labor for sustenance. We chose to save $100 for emergency purposes. This prudent decision serves as a safety net, offering protection against unforeseen challenges that may arise. It represents our ability to plan for the future and be better prepared for unexpected situations. The support received from GiveDirectly has allowed us to transcend survival mode and enter a realm of calculated progress."

"One of the aspects that I truly appreciate about GiveDirectly is their direct transfer of funds to our mobile phones, without any involvement of third parties. This approach guarantees that the transfers reach the intended recipients in their entirety, ensuring transparency and effectiveness."

"I allocated a significant sum of $115 to procure food for my family, which consists of four members. This was a pressing necessity, given the circumstances. It has always pained me to witness my two young children relying on porridge for lunch. Our financial situation is challenging, as I work as a village tailor and earn as little as $0.5 on a daily basis. Similarly, my spouse, who serves as a pastor, receives a meager monthly income of around $50. These incomes are insufficient to meet our basic needs adequately.By using the funds to purchase food, I have been able to address this crucial concern. Observing the positive changes in my children's health and their increased happiness brought by adequate nourishment brings me immense joy. With the remaining $75, I opted to invest in chain links. Our plan is to establish a permanent fence around our 2-acre land, primarily for millet farming. This fence will play a crucial role in preventing animals from encroaching on our land and causing damage to our crops, a common issue we face."

"The biggest difference in my daily routine stems from the newfound abundance of food, made possible by settling all the debts I had accrued at the local shopping center where I used to procure food. Prior to this, I had been heavily reliant on hard-to-come-by casual labor jobs and occasional teaching engagements at a nearby primary school to sustain myself. I am glad that after receiving the first transfer, I was able to buy more food that we are still using, which has given me enough time to save enough to buy them in the future."

"The arrival of the first transfer from GiveDirectly brought me immense joy. As I was grappling with various commitments, GiveDirectly has brought me hope since I enrolled. I received the first transfer around 3:00 p.m., while I was out operating my usual motorcycle taxi. Upon receiving the message, I promptly contacted my family to share the wonderful news, and their elation mirrored my own. The following day, I journeyed to the nearby shopping center, where I collected the entirety of the amount, marking a pivotal moment in our journey."

"Receiving the initial transfer from GiveDirectly was a heartening experience for me, as it arrived at a time when I had a specific issue I needed to resolve. Although the exact date of receipt was uncertain, we were informed about the month. The arrival of the funds took me by surprise, but I swiftly connected the dots and understood that it was indeed from GiveDirectly after going through the message. Even though I received it as early as 3:00 pm, I could not immediately collect the funds, so I patiently waited until the next day after aligning my goals. Living on my own, I had my own set of plans and goals that the money would assist me in achieving."

"Despite the small scale of my sewing business, which currently serves our immediate community, it has played a pivotal role by consistently providing a daily meal for my family of six. Looking ahead to the upcoming year and beyond, my hope is to leverage the existing space for greater income generation. I intend to expand the business to encompass the sale of both new and secondhand clothing, diversifying our sources of income. This expansion would be tailored to the preferences of my regular customers, ensuring a varied selection of materials and customized designs that are not only affordable but also yield profitable returns. While I lack a readily available source of capital to match the necessary investment, I am considering the option of securing a loan. This strategy would enable me to source my business stock with the intention of repaying the loan through the proceeds generated on a daily basis."

"Since my separation from my spouse, who left me with our two children, my daughter and son, I've been tirelessly working to provide for them through farming, casual labor, and maximizing the aid resources available to me. The support from GiveDirectly has been an immense blessing, transforming our household in numerous ways. With the second transfer, I allocated $135 to secure an ample food supply, prioritizing the well-being of our family of three. I also invested $15 in new clothing for both my daughter and myself, replacing the worn-out garments we had been using. My son, who left school to work as a rider in a nearby shopping center, has been self-sufficient for his essentials. Clearing a $30 debt not only relieved my financial burden but also restored my confidence in interacting with friends who had lent me money during a time of need. Additionally, I ensured my commitment to my daughter's education by settling her $102 tuition fees, determined to prevent her from following her brother's path of dropping out. Witnessing her improved grades and increased study time filled me with pride. To enhance our living conditions, I used $128 in construction materials after demolishing our old kitchen, and spent the remaining $41 on labor and transport expenses."

"GiveDirectly has made a remarkable impact in the village, and I believe they are doing an excellent job. The cash transfers provided by GiveDirectly have brought about visible transformation in the households that receive them. Unlike traditional aid from other organizations, GiveDirectly's support is monetary and allows us to address our specific challenges. Providing unconditional cash transfers is effective in empowering us to make decisions that best suit our needs. In my opinion, GiveDirectly has done an amazing job, and I don't see any areas where they could do better, except for expanding their reach to other communities in dire need of such generous support. Overall, GiveDirectly's direct cash transfer model has proven to be impactful and transformative in our villlage."

"In the coming year and beyond, I plan to open another small shop within the village to sell charcoal. Since I live along the road, I hope to tap into the travelers who visit nearby tourist attractions like lakes and sell the charcoal to them. This is because most of them buy locally produced goods, and we have been producing charcoal but not selling it to the community members who are capable of producing it too. I intend to use the profits accrued from my retail shop to start the charcoal production and selling business. This will help me to expand my income-generating activities and provide more employment opportunities for the community members"