"In 2014, I completed my hairdressing course at Kituro Polytechnic, hoping to become self-employed. I have always dreamed of opening my own salon, but I currently lack the capital to get started. Right now, I practice on call and sometimes attend to customers at their doorsteps, but I feel like I am missing out on so many opportunities due to a lack of equipment. As a family of five, we rely solely on my husband Mike to provide for us, which is a lot of pressure for him. If I had the capital, I could help bridge that gap and share the financial responsibilities. I am determined to find a way to make my dream a reality and support my family in the process."

"In the coming years, I plan to focus on large-scale farming, engaging in both livestock and crop production. I want to help my community by selling chicks at a lower price, making poultry farming more accessible for everyone. Additionally, I am praying to purchase more incubators to maintain high poultry production and also sell eggs. I aim to save the money I earn to finance my children's school fees, ensuring they receive a good education. Furthermore, I want to purchase several plots of land, which will serve as valuable assets for our future. With hard work and dedication, I am determined to build a better life for my family and contribute positively to my community."

"GiveDirectly did a great job by ensuring that their officers were not biased and were very professional when asking questions. I appreciated how straightforward all the questions were, making it easy for us to understand what was being asked. Throughout the process, I have not seen any weaknesses in your organization; everything was fine. The respect and care shown by the officers made us feel valued and important. Overall, I am very satisfied with the support we received from GiveDirectly."

"After the devastating floods destroyed our agricultural farms, my family faced a bleak future filled with uncertainty. Receiving the cash transfer felt like a lifeline, providing us with an opportunity to rebuild our lives and invest in agriculture once more. I decided to use $210 to purchase sheep, aiming to improve our living situation and establish a source of income for the future. The sheep also serve as a constant reminder of the support we received from GiveDirectly. Furthermore, I spent $80 to lease land and $50 to manage my farm, enabling us to grow food and secure our family's basic needs. With this additional capital, I feel more confident in providing for my three children and my wife, seeing this as the best investment I could make for our future. This investment is crucial, as it will indirectly help me cover my children's school fees. With the remaining $110, I bought food to ensure my family has enough to eat. In the past, I relied on casual jobs and burning charcoal to meet our basic needs, but those sources of income were often unreliable. Now, thanks to the support from GiveDirectly, we have a stable supply of food at home.We are incredibly grateful to GiveDirectly because our lives have truly changed for the better. This assistance has given us hope and a chance to work toward a brighter future. I am determined to make the most of this opportunity for my family's sake, ensuring we never have to face such hardship again."

"GiveDirectly did a great job when they came to our village. They held meetings during the barazas and promised us money, which we received without any issues. There were no bribes involved, and they did not take advantage of us, showing no discrimination during the enrollment process. I appreciate how well all their strategies were followed and how transparent the process was. However, I noticed that some people were left out and did not get enrolled, and they were not informed about the reasons why. If possible, I suggest they try to include everyone in the program to ensure that no one is left behind."

"While I was working on the farm, I suddenly saw a message on my phone that made me incredibly happy. I hadn’t told anyone about receiving the money because it felt like my little secret, so I kept my joy to myself. My heart was filled with excitement, and my first thought was to buy plastic chairs since we had no chairs at home. It was a simple wish, but it meant so much to me and my family. Knowing that I could finally provide something for us made me feel like I was making progress. I couldn’t wait to share this good news with my family when I got home!"

"Before receiving the cash transfer, paying for my children's school fees was a constant source of stress for me. I had to rely on fundraising and saving small amounts from my casual job earnings, which were not enough to keep my children in school. They were often sent home due to unpaid fees, and it broke my heart to see them missing out on their education. However, after I received the transfer, I was able to pay their school fees without any worry. Now, my children can attend school regularly and focus on their studies like other children. This change has brought me so much peace of mind, knowing that my children are not only learning but also feeling secure and happy at school. I am grateful for this support, which has made such a big difference in our lives."

"Early in the morning, around 5am., I heard a message come through, but I was too sleepy to check it right away. When I finally woke up and checked my phone, I saw the money had arrived, and I was overwhelmed with happiness. I couldn’t stop laughing, and my kids even asked, "Mama, why are you so happy today?" I told them, "I have received a lot of money from GiveDirectly!" The first thing that came to my mind was paying school fees because my kids had been in and out of school due to a lack of fees. It had been such a stress for me, and now I finally had the solution in my hands."

"When I got the money, I immediately knew what my priorities were. My children had been struggling to sleep comfortably because their bed and mattress were infested with bedbugs, making their nights unbearable. So, I used $90 to buy a new bed and mattress. It brought me great joy knowing they would finally sleep in peace. Furthermore, I spent $60 on food because, at home, we had nothing to eat, and buying food and milk from the shops was becoming too expensive. My family depends on me to provide, but my salary is too small to meet all our needs. In addition to the bed and food, I used the remaining amount to buy utensils. We had been displaced by floods, and the water destroyed everything we had in the house, leaving us with very little. It was a big relief to finally have basic things like plates and cooking items again. My wife stays at home to take care of our two children, so providing for the family rests entirely on my shoulders. The money helped me cover the essential needs we had been struggling with for a long time. Life had been very difficult for us, especially after the floods took everything. Being able to buy what we desperately needed felt like a huge burden had been lifted. My children are now sleeping soundly, and we have food in the house again. It may not seem like much, but for us, it has made all the difference."

"In the coming year and beyond, I am determined to focus on investing in goat farming to secure my future. I plan to continue saving $10 monthly at the merry-go-round group that we formed. As I accumulate the money, I will buy goats once my turn of getting the money reaches. The choice of goats over cows is a strategic one; goats are more affordable to acquire and maintain, making them an ideal investment for my current financial situation. My passion for goat farming fuels my drive, and with careful planning and consistent effort, I am confident that I will achieve my goals and create a thriving agricultural venture."