"In our community, livestock is important for survival, so I decided to invest in sheep with my unconditional cash transfer. I bought six sheep, both male and female, for $310. This investment means I’ll have milk for my family and a way to earn money when they multiply. Livestock has always been our best option, and this purchase gives me hope for a more secure future. Additionally, I used $50 to pay the school fees for my child, who was behind on payments. Education is important, and I wanted to make sure my child could continue studying without any problems.I also realized we had no food at home, so I spent another $50 to buy essential groceries. As a farmer, I used to grow watermelons and vegetables to sell for fees, but after the floods destroyed my crops and wiped out all my livestock, I struggled to provide for my family. The floods took away everything I worked hard for, including my three acres of maize. However, I am determined to rebuild our lives step by step. Lastly, I used the remaining money to buy clothes for my family since we had none left. It feels good to have decent clothing, especially when visiting friends and neighbors. My wife and I work hard together on our small farm, and we rely on each other to get through tough times. Life is still challenging, but with these new resources, I feel relieved and hopeful for a better future for my children and us."

"Life had become challenging, especially after the floods destroyed our farm, which had always been our main source of income. With eight children to care for, we depended on farming to pay school fees, but the floods took away that option, leaving us with no alternatives. When GiveDirectly’s cash arrived, it felt like a lifeline; I immediately used $240 to cover my children’s fees. Knowing that they could stay in school brought me relief and hope for their future. Education is important to us, and we didn’t want our children’s studies to be interrupted, so having this support at the right moment felt like a true blessing.In addition, I set aside $50 for farming, hoping to rebuild by planting maize. Having a reliable source of food and potentially a small income from any surplus would help us recover from the loss. Farming has always been unpredictable, but I believe that restarting with this fresh crop will bring some stability back to our lives. Furthermore, I used $50 to buy a sheep, which I see as a small but meaningful investment for our family. Over time, it can provide us with milk and can even be sold if we face any urgent needs. With the remaining funds, I purchased curtains to make our home feel warmer and a few food items to carry us through. This money has allowed us to address both immediate and future needs, and it’s a comfort to know we have a start toward recovery. Farming is not easy, with its seasonal changes and risks, but this support has given us renewed strength to keep going. My husband and I are grateful, as we now feel better equipped to care for our children and keep our family moving forward."

"The GiveDirectly officers guided us well, teaching us how to use the money wisely and encouraging us to think carefully about our plans for it. They asked each of us what we intended to do with the funds, making us feel that our choices mattered. Their advice helped me prioritize important needs, like buying goats for milk and settling debts. I appreciate how they didn’t just hand over the money but took the time to help us make informed decisions. Personally, I have no complaints—just gratitude for the way GiveDirectly has supported us. If there’s one area to consider for improvement, it might be offering follow-up visits to check on our progress and give additional guidance, but overall, I’m deeply thankful."

"When I received the cash transfer, it felt like a miracle for my family. I had been carrying so many worries, wondering how to provide for my children and keep us afloat. The first thing I did was use $140 to buy two goats. I hoped they would give us a steady supply of milk, which would improve our meals and save us from the high cost of buying milk. Having our own goats felt like a step toward a brighter future, something I could rely on to care for my family. I also used $20 to pay off a hospital debt that had been weighing me down. My children and I had been sick recently, and the medical bills added up faster than I could manage. Finally clearing that debt gave me a huge sense of relief, knowing I could focus on the present without that burden hanging over us. With the remaining money, I bought food for my family and paid for solar light, which has been a big help since we don’t have electricity in our area. My husband and I rely on casual jobs to provide food, but it has always been difficult to make sure we have enough. With this cash transfer, it felt like a huge weight was lifted from my shoulders. Now I can give my children better meals and a more secure future, and this peace of mind is truly priceless. I am deeply grateful for this support; it has brought hope and stability into our lives."

"Before receiving the transfer, building a store was just a distant hope. My teaching salary was already stretched thin to cover food, school fees, and other needs for my four children. I knew a store would help us keep our supplies safe and make life easier, but it never felt possible because it wasn’t a basic need compared to everything else. The cash transfer allowed me to finally make it happen. Now, we have a secure place to store food and materials, which means I can buy in bulk when prices are low and protect our supplies from weather and pests. This change has lifted a big weight off my shoulders, and I’m incredibly thankful to GiveDirectly for making this dream a reality."

"For the coming years and beyond, I want to invest fully in farming, both in crops and livestock rearing. I see this as the best way to secure food for my family and ensure my children can stay in school without interruption. By growing crops, I’ll be able to provide for our daily needs and, hopefully, sell any surplus for extra income. Raising livestock will give us a safety net, as they can be sold if unexpected expenses arise. My goal is to create a stable source of support through farming, one that we can rely on as my children grow. This way, I can give them the education I didn’t have and build a stronger future for our family."

"We are going through incredibly tough times right now. The dry spell has stretched on and on, bringing severe drought, and leaving us all facing hunger. This year, with things as they are, my priority is to keep using my transfers to buy food and water so my family can get by until the rains finally come and we can hopefully harvest enough to fill our stores again. Also, looking ahead, I dream of building something sustainable for my future. Once the drought conditions improve, I plan to use a portion of my transfers to buy more goats, adding to the small herd that I already have. I envision these goats multiplying over time, giving me a source of income that I can lean on in the future when this program eventually comes to an end. Additionally, managing my health is another important goal. I plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy my monthly medication so I can take care of myself and stay strong. I cannot say enough how grateful I am to GiveDirectly for this support. It is not just helping us get through these challenging days but it is also giving me hope and a chance to build a future I can rely on."

"I have always dreamt of having a proper bed and a mattress to rest on, especially since I am currently sleeping on a bed made of ropes with no mattress on it making it very uncomfortable. Finally, I managed to pay off the bed, but now I’m focused on saving up for a mattress. Recently, I was able to complete payments for the bed that I wanted. Now, my plan for this coming year is to set aside a portion of my transfers, little by little, until I have enough to buy a comfortable mattress. Just imagining having a comfortable place to sleep fills me with hope and gratitude. After that, I want to use part of my transfers to buy goats, adding to the few I already have hoping that they will multiply and increase in number and value so that in the future I may have something to rely on. Additionally, with my health being a concern at my age, I also plan to dedicate part of my transfers to seeking medical care and ensuring I can manage my nutrition so I can live as healthily as possible. I feel incredibly thankful for the support I get from GiveDirectly."

"With my dream of owning livestock, my plan for this coming year and beyond is to save a portion of my transfers that I receive from GiveDirectly so that once I accumulate enough funds, I may use them to buy more goats and chicken, hoping that they will multiply and grow in both number and value, providing me with a reliable source of income support in the future. In the meantime, given the ongoing drought and hunger we are facing, I plan to continue using another portion of my transfers to continue buying food and water. This is very crucial for us to avoid going hungry until this drought passes. I am determined to secure a better future for my family, and I truly appreciate the support that makes this possible."

"With the current drought and hunger impacting us in our region, my top priority is ensuring my family's health and nutrition. I therefore plan to keep using a portion of my transfers to buy food and water until the rains come, and we can finally harvest and put an end to this hunger crisis. Additionally, I intend to invest another portion in acquiring more goats and chicken, hoping they will multiply and grow in both numbers and value. These animals will become a valuable asset for me which I can rely on in the future, especially when this program concludes. I am truly grateful for the support from GiveDirectly as it has been a lifeline for my family during these tough times."