"With age comes the inability to fend for my family hence shifting the burden to my children. It saddens me because they too have the responsibility to take care of their children. Neither do I have a source nor can do jobs because I do not have the strength. Borrowing from my children is a challenge because I may not get everything I need at my convenience."

"Food insecurity is the greatest challenge currently. The prolonged droughts led to insufficient food production and I shifted to livestock keeping from which I sold all of them to cater to the basic needs of my family of ten. My husband and I do casual jobs to earn a living and since it is unreliable, we hardly save any amount. My fear is this year I may fail to harvest, even though it rained I have not planted maize yet since I lacked the money to purchase seeds."

"The lack of a stable source of income has been a great challenge. A motorcycle taxi earns me an average of $2 a day and all the money goes to purchasing food. Sometimes I borrow a loan when I do not get work to do and this has left me indebted for a very long time."

"My goal is to establish a stable source of income that will sustain my family even after the cash transfers cease. One way I plan to achieve this is by expanding my existing business of selling fish. I also intend to start selling other products like sardines to diversify my income streams. Furthermore, I aim to venture into livestock farming, starting with the purchase of chickens and gradually expanding into other types of livestock. By pursuing these opportunities, I hope to create a sustainable income stream and wealth for my family and secure our future."

"My current focus is on building a new house for my family, as the existing structure is damaged on the walls and could collapse at any moment. I aspire to construct a two-room house with mud walls and a tin roof. My wife and I have already begun purchasing the necessary building materials, such as iron sheets, to ensure the success of this project. Once we have accumulated enough materials, we will hire someone to complete the construction. I am grateful for the cash transfers, as they have played a crucial role in making this endeavor possible."

"As a farmer, I usually sustain myself through subsistence farming. However, during drought seasons, I heavily rely on the support of my son who owns a shop in town. My goal is to explore livestock keeping as an additional means of improving my livelihood and reducing my overreliance on my son. Specifically, I am interested in starting to rear goats and sheep. By engaging in this venture, I aim to secure resources that will support my needs in the future and provide a sustainable source of income."

"I wasn't well and hoping to get money for treatment until I received a message that Givedirectly had sent us our money. I was very happy and started praising God for his favour on my life.The following days, I went to the hospital for a check up."

"These transfers have provided me with a lifeline, enabling me to address pressing needs that were otherwise unattainable. The first priority for me was to address the pressing issue of food scarcity. Before receiving the unconditional funds, my family and I were going through an incredibly challenging period where we had no food at all. Hunger had become a constant companion, and the desperation was palpable. However, with the arrival of the transfers, I immediately took action. I allocated a substantial portion of the transfers ($170), towards purchasing food for my family. This allowed us to not only satiate our hunger but also regain strength and vitality. The relief and joy that flooded our household as we could once again enjoy nourishing meals cannot be expressed in words. In addition to securing our basic sustenance, I recognized the need to address the state of my wornout clothing. The garments I possessed were tattered and beyond repair, leaving me feeling self-conscious and lacking in confidence. Therefore, I allocated $ 300 from the unconditional funds to purchase new clothes. This seemingly small investment had a profound impact on my self-esteem and overall well-being. With the new clothes, I felt a renewed sense of dignity and pride, allowing me to face the world with greater confidence and a positive outlook."

"I couldn't easily build a new house after my house collapsed due to the heavy rains we had. I had to seek refuge from neighbors until my sons built me a temporary small structure that I have been calling home so far. Since receiving the transfer, I've decided to begin purchasing materials in order to construct a large, semi-permanent house capable of withstanding any disaster. My goal is to save some money so that I can buy building materials like iron sheets and cement to make bricks. So far, I've purchased ten iron sheets, with a goal of purchasing twenty by the end of the year. I intend to begin the project as soon as possible because having a good shelter will undoubtedly give me peace of mind."

"The biggest difference in my everyday life is my family's newfound ability to indulge in three meals a day. The financial assistance I received played a pivotal role in this positive change. With the aid, I was able to acquire a sack of maize, a valuable resource that now ensures an abundant food supply within our household. This starkly contrasts the hardships we endured previously, where making ends meet was a constant struggle. I am overflowing with gratitude for the support provided, as it has significantly elevated our overall quality of life."