"GiveDirectly had the best approach to helping us improve our lives. The cash was unconditional, and no one was told what to do with it. Instead, we were given the freedom to choose what was best for our household. This stood out to me because we all have different needs, and it was empowering for them to let us make the decisions. Thanks to this, I now have a toilet, was able to put in a concrete floor in my house, and even have goats. I don’t think there’s anything this organization needs to change, and I hope they continue the great work."

"As the sole breadwinner for my family, my main goal for the coming year is to ensure that all my children stay in school. Their education is my top priority, and I am determined to make it happen. To do this, I plan to continue working hard by taking on more casual jobs, even if it means long hours. I know it won’t be easy, but I am committed to giving them a brighter future. In addition to focusing on their education, I also hope to buy a piece of land and complete the house I have started building. With my third transfer, I plan to make these dreams a reality. I believe this will give my family more stability and help us grow. I am excited about what the future holds and ready to work hard to achieve these goals."

"I am a single parent with two children, one in university and the other in high school. I rely on farming, and I also do casual work and sell charcoal to make a living.When I received my transfer, I immediately prioritized paying their school fees, which totaled $65. After that, I bought a sofa for $55 and spent $30 on clothes. The remaining money went toward buying food for the house. I am so happy and grateful because, for the first time, I was able to pay my children's school fees without the usual struggle of running around to make ends meet. This support has taken a huge burden off my shoulders, and I am forever thankful for it."

"In my opinion, GiveDirectly has always been perfect in their assistance. During our first meeting, they informed us that the money was unconditional, allowing us to decide how to use it based on our personal needs. This was a great idea because it allowed me to address what my household was lacking. The purpose of this approach was to ensure lasting improvements for my family, and now, I feel secure with a metal door installed in my house. Therefore, in my view, the organization did nothing wrong and does not need to make any corrections."

"My main priority going forward is to acquire dairy cows. These animals are very valuable assets as they offer multiple benefits at home, such as providing milk. I plan to acquire them by allowing my goats to grow into a large herd so that I can exchange some of them for a cow, as I currently don't have the funds to buy one. Once I succeed, I believe I will have enough milk for my family’s consumption, and I can sell the extra milk to my neighbors for an income, with a liter going for 50. Through this business, I will be able to pay my children's school fees more easily, unlike before when I struggled due to relying primarily on casual jobs."

"I was at home one afternoon, relaxing, when my phone beeped with a message. Since I can't read, I called my son to check it for me. When he read it, he said it was the GiveDirectly transfer, and I felt so happy! My son and I immediately started talking about what to do with the money and decided we would buy sheep. It was such a good moment, knowing this support had come through."

"When I received the cash, the first thing I did was buy two plastic chairs for $15. I had lost everything in the floods and didn’t even have a place to sit. Moving to a safer area was necessary, but it left me starting from scratch. Next, I spent $45 on a bed since I had been sleeping on the cold floor, which was difficult and uncomfortable. I also used $20 to pay for labor to harvest the maize on my farm. I couldn’t afford to lose the crop, especially after all the work I put into it, and paying for help ensured everything was collected in time. With $40, I placed a deposit on a small piece of land in Lororok. Owning land there has been a dream of mine, and this is my first step toward making it real. The remaining amount went toward buying household food. It was a relief to finally have enough to eat without constantly worrying. This cash has given me more than just items—it has restored a sense of stability and hope."

"One afternoon, after I got home from the farm where I'd spent hours weeding vegetables, I took my phone out of my pocket and saw there was a message. Curiosity got the best of me, so I quickly opened it, and there it was — the GiveDirectly transfer! I felt an overwhelming surge of excitement and immediately rushed to tell my mother-in-law, who had also received the money. She was just as thrilled as I was. Later that evening, I called my husband to share the good news, and he was so happy that he promised to travel back soon. Together, we would buy iron sheets and start preparing to build our dream house."

"Before I received unconditional cash from GiveDirectly, I used to do casual jobs to support my family, but things got really difficult after I became unwell and couldn't keep up with the work. The money came through for us at a time when we needed it the most, especially since my old husband now requires constant care. I was struggling to balance everything, and the financial help has allowed us to get back on our feet during such a difficult time. I'm truly grateful for the support, as it has given us the breathing room we desperately needed."

"It was a normal day for me. I was on my farm harvesting maize with my wife and sister when, at around 3 p.m., I heard a message come in. Upon checking, I saw that I had received my first transfer from GiveDirectly. I called my wife aside to share the news with her, and I could see the joy in her eyes. We knew that we could finally speed up our maize harvesting by hiring labor."